Match Report - u11 Blacks vs Waverley Park Gold

Written by Nib Smith | 25 July 2011

Match Report

The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart.
Robert Green Ingersoll

Under 11- Waverley Park Hawks v St Kilda City 12.30pm 24^th July 2011

After the interminable long drive eastwards in driving rain, we soon realised we were out of our comfort zone when the tuck shop manager at the ground informed one of our families they didn’t serve cafe lattes, didn’t have a machine and in fact only could only provide instant powdered coffee. Recovering from this dramatic set back we quickly set about our preparations for what we knew would be a tough hard game against one of the better teams in the competition.

First Quarter; Waverley Park 2.3.15  St Kilda City nil

Using the slippery leather ball in muddy and wet conditions was always going to be hard for both teams of under 11s but one had to admire the commitment and courage of both teams as they managed to produce reasonable passages of play early on. Kye was prominent early with a couple of strong defensive marks and long kicks and Mac and Connor kept forcing the ball forward as we tried hard against a team that appeared to have some big bodies. Waverley managed to spread and run the ball from a couple of stoppages and despite the efforts of Joel and Zac around the packs they kicked a couple of goals that we couldn’t stop. The tackling was terrific from both sides and ball movement apart from the two goals was slow as many packs formed and the umpire showed he was prepared to let the packs eventually force the ball out. Dylan and Mac got some kicks and full back Hugo twice kicked out well to the skipper Joel who marked nicely on both occasions. Oliver took a good mark but with the heavy ball his kick didn’t quite get to trouble the scorers and Waverley managed to clear with extra aggression. Cameron got some possessions when we got the ball forward and big Oscar, playing under a fitness cloud, managed to win a free but we couldn’t quite manage to get a score. Coach Mick asked for more from the midfield and asked for them to spread in attack and get back to help the defence when required.

Second Quarter: Waverley Park 6.4.40 St Kilda City 1.0.6

As Mick had suggested we were getting plenty of the ball but we weren’t providing enough run and leads to move the ball forward enough. Joel was fighting hard and getting plenty of the ball and it was encouraging to hear voices from Connor, Mac and Zac whenever we had the ball. Harry was providing a target and Marco looked dangerous when in attack. Cameron showed his pace and bravery putting his head over the ball against bigger opponents. Waverley looked like getting away with some early goals and Dylan was sent to the backline to assist in stemming the flow and he managed to clear attacks a couple of times by long kicking along the boundary. In a promising piece of play, Connor tapped to Zac who handballed out the back to Joel who found Bobby at half forward. In his usual bullocking style Bobby put it out in front of the much improved Cody who snapped around his body and the ball bounced truly through for our first goal. Adam was felled behind the play and our trainer Jackie spent most of the quarter attending to our boys as they continued to be brave, which is possibly not the adjective that described some of the late hits being dished out. Bobby was flattened and had some knees in his back to deal with as we went down and arms were being thrown around dangerously.  Both umpires decided to have a word with one player who did eventually refine his style. Mention should be made of the efforts of the Hugo as he tried to help his mates by sticking close to the physically imposing player from the Hawks.

Third Quarter: Waverley Park 8.8.56 St Kilda City 1.1.7

During the half time address Coach Mick said we were winning the ball but we should be trying to work harder to spread and create options. We do tend to watch the ball and wait instead of running to position but he did inspire the boys as we played well in the third quarter managing to stem the flow of scores. Declan twice was solid as he stopped attacks and managed to clear. Zac was good around the packs and Curtis was enjoying the conditions by putting his head over the ball and creating stoppages. Marco ran hard Mac’s run and good kicking off a wing was terrific. Bobby was in all the packs Dylan defended well three times with sure hands. Harry got his hands on the ball and Paddy Twigg helping us out as we were short managed to get a couple of kicks and defend well. Cameron played well this quarter and although the ball was like a piece of soap Joel continued to mark on his chest and drive us into attack. Oscar came up to ruck for a bit with Mac and although inconvenienced with a leg injury was able to provide a contest and bring the ball to our advantage.

The quarter was highlighted by an extraordinary goal mouth incident after Joel correctly tapped the ball through for a regulation point which was duly signalled by the field umpire. The home town goal umpire suggested that Joel had thrown the ball and in an unprecedented decision the field umpire changed his decision and decided to award the free from 3 metres out and the Hawks were gifted a goal.   

Last Quarter: Final Score - Waverley Park 11.11.77 St Kilda City 1.1.7

Adam Oulton managed to get a couple of kicks as did Connor and Mac but our attacks were breaking down as the bigger and fitter Hawks took charge. Max, with his strong presence, held up a couple of attacks and Hugo put it out in front of Cameron who showed his pace. Joel and Zac, along with Connor and Bobby are really starting to get some systems together in the midfield and  Marco tried hard. The last quarter really was a bit of a slog in the mud for all involved but our boys didn’t give in and kept trying. Curtis was ferocious at the contest and Harry kept trying. Adam and Declan were very brave and on one occasion Joel almost had his facial features re-arranged in big pack but we kept at it until the siren sounded showing a convincing loss but some good experience in the conditions.  

Coaches awards were won by Zach Dakis and Dylan Harrison–Smith and Brick awards to Marco Walker and Mac Hocking who played a composed strong game.