Coaches Report - Elimination Final
A's solid team effort to record a 27 point win over Walkerville
A Grade Report
We started well with a hard running competitive style of football and led by 4 goals at quarter time. Walkerville fought back strongly just before the half and we held a narrow lead. The game was won in a decisive burst in the third quarter where we kicked 7 goals to 3. They charged again to kick the first three goals of the last quarter, however, we steadied to win convincingly by 27 points in a very solid team effort.
Better players were Craig Holm, Will O'Malley,Tom Wigley, Anthony Medhurst, Ben Birch, Ben Moyle, Jack Nelligan and Sam Bridge but we didn't really have a passenger.
This week we are at Eastern Park as we look to continue our recent good form and to build our footy club.
Tim Hart
A Grade Coach
B Grade Report
It was exciting to be playing finals footy for the first time in 5 years at B Grade level. Flinders Park with the addition of 7 from their A grade side were going to be formidable opponents. To our credit we won our fair share of the ball and were able to keep within a couple of goals for most of the day until their class and experience came to the fore.
I am certainly proud of the way all the guys attacked the game on Saturday but particularly pleasing was we were well lead by Captain Paul Bannister and Dave Eckert who really lifted for what was a more intense and sustained pressure game. At the same time I thought our young players also stood up to the challenge and Chris Ash and Eamon Hanna continually sacrificed their bodies to win the hard ball and drive us forward. Daniel Trimboli was resolute in defence in his last appearance for the club. After 15 years and over 165 games Daniel has decided to hang up the boots. Daniel has been a tremendous asset to our club both as a player and clubman and will be sorely missed.
I thank the B Grade group for a competitive and enjoyable year and wish the players every success into the future. I also take the opportunity to thank Tim and Mick for their support as coaches, Team Manager Darren Furst, Tom Ateyo our runner, Vicki & Wahib and all the training staff and all our loyal supporters who have followed us with energy and passion throughout the year.
Congratulations to the A grade on an elimination final win and also my congratulations to the C grade for a successful year.
Peter Pedersen
B Grade Coach
C Grade Report
After finishing the minor round in fourth spot the C's played Walkerville in a knockout Elimination Final at Campbelltown. Our two earlier games against Walkerville resulted in two close contests and this game was to follow a similar trend. In front of a boisterous and lively home crowd the C's started well and kicked the opening goal and thereafter the first quarter developed into a tight tussle with scores locked at two goals each at the first break. Our second quarter saw us start to gain some ascendency, our back line was playing brilliantly and the midfield was breaking even and that combination gave us an 11 point half time lead. The third quarter was once again an arm wrestle with both half back lines on top, however, in a match turning burst Walkerville kicked three quick goals to take a one goal lead at three quarter time. The final term was always going to be a desperate affair with the more composed team the likely winner. In the end Walkerville's execution and poise proved crucial as they with stood our best efforts to win by 14 points. In a tight and tense final we conceded three goals from free kicks and our lack of discipline at key times was decisive in influencing the outcome. In saying that I was pleased with the players' commitment and effort and in the wash up we were beaten by a better team on the day.
Our best players on the day came mainly from our back half which clearly demonstrated our lack of cohesion and our lack of clean ball use. Our full back Alex Kelly was excellent all day and did a great job in quelling a dangerous forward, likewise Brendon Edson did well to contain one of their key forwards, Ned Taylor provided run and rebound and was outstanding early, Nick Rendell was strong across half back and Leigh Mosel competed strongly in the centre.
This was a disappointing end to a promising C grade season. Unfortunately, we were below our best when it really counted and its moth balls as a result. However, the positives of the year far out weigh the negatives and if this group of players stay around the club I'm confident that the C grade is headed for success in the near future.
Finally, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank all of the people whose efforts off the field have made such a big difference to the C grade this season. Team Managers Adrian Pepicelli and Justin McCabe, Runner Simon Halliwell, Field Umpires Kristian Griffiths and Peter Babij, Goal Umpire Dion Borrillo and our two boundary umpires have all done an outstanding job. In addition, Rino Cialini, in particular, has provided an enormous amount of administrative assistance.
Mick Borrillo
C Grade Coach
