Coaches Report R13
All the action against Uni
Coaches Report
A Grade Report - R13
For the second week in a row the game was played on a muddy, waterlogged oval with the slippery ball being difficult to handle at times. The players also had to contend with a large puddle of water that is probably best described as a small lake that covered the south east flank of Uni oval. Drew actually made good use of it on one occasion as he "belly flopped" into the middle of it in the same motion as taking a brilliant diving chest mark.
I explained to the players before the match that in these conditions it will come down to what ever side is cable of winning the most contested possessions and adapts quickest to playing wet weather footy. With this in mind it was pleasing to see the players start so well (as we did last game in the wet). Our onballers were terrific early, particularly at the stoppages and our half back line, led by Kieran Holland cut off a lot of Uni's forward ball movement. After kicking into a slight breeze, the two goal lead we had at quarter time was great reward for the efforts the players were putting in.
During the middle two quarters some ROCS players started to make poor decisions with the ball, which prevented us ever having a comfortable lead. When Uni kicked only their second goal of the match early in the last quarter then missed a soccer attempt from close range to reduce the margin to 2 goals it was certainly game on! It was terrific to see the players gain the momentum back for the rest of the final quarter and have the ball in our forward half for large amounts of time. When Luke Manuel showed good poise and skill to slot a set shot goal from a tight angle it was essentially game over.
Will O'Malley was consistent all day and played his role perfectly, Craig Holm continued his excellent year and showed how a good work rate is often rewarded, Kieran Holland was reliable again, with his first quarter being outstanding and Matt Dawes and Brendan Littler won a lot of the footy and both played excellent wet weather footy.
Next week we're back at home against a Gaza side that has improved as the season has gone on. The day is also our past players day and the 2003 premiership reunion. With the club putting up a marquee for the occasion it will be great to see a big crowd enjoying the day and supporting the players.
Tom Wigley
A Grade Coach
B Grade Report
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C Grade Report
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