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| Club XVIII 2010 match reports |
WILLIAMSTOWN vs FITZROY
2.30 pm Friday 11th June 2010
Tom Pinchen-Hogg
Isn’t it grand when a plan is followed through and an overall team effort is brought to the table for a big clash! Intensity and run and carry was our effective strategy against an imposing Williamstown outfit fresh off the back of an impressive performance against the ‘fiery’ Therry Penola.
With a line up boasting 12 new players from last week we came into this game optimistic of our chances – despite key components of our structure in fullback regular Steven ‘Maggsy’ Maggs and big full forward Rosco. We required a few players to take up their mantle and fill the void they had left.
The game got off to a timid start as both sides adjusted to each other’s game styles. In the early stages we focused on a predominately one on one game style which gave Williamstown little room to move and carry the ball but neither side was able to gain any ascendency managing only two goals apiece in the opening quarter.
However, we took heart from the dash and quality disposal from Tommy ‘pretty boy’ Jenkins across the wing, nuggety in and under work from Steve Graham, strong dukes from Jim bob ‘ballerina toes’ Mackay up forward - complemented by our very own Little Princess Wilson’s crumbing and strong contested work in the back half from John Card. At quarter time Timmy pleaded for us to take advantage of our opportunity, telling us we were running on top of them but just needed to show it where it counted.
The second quarter we jumped them from the start as James Pitts loaded the ball into our forwards with precision. Nick Brown showed how quickly a fifty kilogram man can run whilst the big wiry Danish took on countless contests across halfback, taking full advantage of his long limbs with strong overhead marks or spoiling when he was out of position. The typical unsolicited chatter from A Grant started to come to the fore as we jetted ahead. As the rain began to bucket down our new bearded player A Watkins, (later to be nicknamed Mumford - questionable choice - by Timmy Madden) began to get busy, and, the water proved no trouble for Jim Bob as the ball stuck to him like cement.
With a 20 point lead going into half time we were buoyant about our chances and keen to finish off.
The next quarter neither side took control and the game stagnated slightly. However the intent was still there as Phegan continued to present up forward, Rowan Enright cleared the ball out of defence and ‘Pretty’ kept backing himself in, proving too quick for the Williamstown side. This in mind, however, we kicked only the one goal for the quarter to Williamstown’s two.
The last term opened up for us as we ran in numbers, won our individual contests and showed what a full bench brings to the table as our legs got stronger, moving with more precision. A few note worthies from this quarter must include: ‘Golden boots’ Rory Callen’s storming across the wing in front of the interchange bench through three unlucky Williamstown fellas; the six goal kicking Princess’s snap over his head when he had Brown free; the loud vocal efforts from our female supporters and the wonder of Adam Grant’s expanding vocabulary. By quarter’s end we had nailed an extra five goals to their one, bringing us to an impressive 39 point win against one of the Leagues contenders.
Another great performance! Let’s show our support down at training!
Carn the Roys!
Fitzroy 87 defeated Williamstown 48
Goal Kickers: T. Wilson 6, N. Brown 2, J. Parlane , J. Phegan , A. Grant , A. Watkins , J. Pitts.
Best Players: J. MacKay, T. Jenkins, A. Grant, J. Pitts, A. Watkins, T. Wilson.
OLD ESSENDON VS FITZROY
Clubbies; Round 7, May 29th Match Report.
Tom Pinchen-Hogg
It was the game we had been preparing for weeks; playing the benchmark of the competition, the top of the ladder, Old Essendon on their home ground. This was to be our biggest challenge and the perfect way to measure ourselves amongst the league’s elite. Coming into the game with a full bench and a buzzing line up from an easy win against the Old Paradians the week before our confidence was up with our intentions to be the Clubbie North’s new ladder leaders.
From the opening bounce there was a bit of niggle amongst the opposing teams illustrating that this was an important game for both. With no apparent wind the game got off to an even start with the old Essendon side taking a narrow two goals to one lead going into the second quarter. Spragues - new to the side this week - competed well in defence quashing many Old Essendon attacks. Rover Owen Dunn constantly got in and under, getting the ball out of the middle and setting up the drive of Nicky Johnstone and Captain Stephen Graham who launched it to the reliable big ‘Jimbob’ Mackay and surprise packet up forward D. Murphy. Unswayed by the quarter’s events we took positives from it, pinpointing our intensity as a major strength but we were also aware that we had to lift again to get on top of the scoreboard.
The next quarter was a much more free flowing contest as both sides looked for opportunities to push forward. Hard-in under work and clever outside running from the likes of Nick Brown and Tommy ‘Pretty’ Jenkins saw the game open up as our pace which in recent weeks had been a factor became evident once again. Daring run out of defence from Rowan Enright and opportunistic work from forwards Coghlan and ‘Murph’ meant we had added a further three goals by the quarter’s end but still trailing the strong Old Essendon by two goals.
At half time we were still in the game with the belief we could knock them off. Timmy pleaded for us to keep up the intensity and back ourselves in enabling us to come out rejuvenated and task orientated after the break. Locking down the old Essendon midfield, we kept the leading goal kicker of the year ‘Podger’ quiet. However, much like the first quarter, neither side was able to get the ascendency as the game began to stagnate into bec ‘stop-start’ football. We battled hard and took control in patches but were unable to take control on the scoreboard and with no progress made we still remained 14 points down.
The final term saw us come out of the blocks as ‘Murph’ kicked a classy snap within the first minutes giving us a fantastic boost. We began to run in numbers with Granty, Spragues and Edwards repelling Old Essendon’s attacks, ‘Gabe’ and Tommy Jenkins popped up, competing admirably across the wings whilst Murph and ‘Jimbob’ offered us targets in our forward line. Alas - there wasn’t enough this time left and we went down by 19 points to a quality Old Essendon outfit.
Next week is a big challenge for us taking on Second placed Williamstown who took down Thierry-Penola quite convincingly. Get pumped Fellas and let’s bounce back!
Carn the Roys!
9.10-64 OLD ESSENDON defeated 6.9-45 FITZROY
Goal Kickers: D. Murphy 3, N. Brown, J. MacKay, G. Coghlan
Best Players: J. Sprague, O. Dunn, D. Murphy, T. Pinchen-Hogg, R. Enright, D. Edwards
UHS – VU VS FITZROY REPORT - Round 3 Saturday 1st May 2010
Tom Pinchen-Hogg
This was a game in which we took control from the beginning. In previous weeks our intensity at the ball and work rate weren’t there early on in the games each quarter, forcing us to play catch up football.
From the outset of this game against UHS-VU we looked to rectify this; putting an emphasis on winning from the first moments of every quarter. The Coach said “Take Control” and that’s exactly what we did.
Two leading marks and a rundown tackle ala Cyril Rioli saw Tim ‘Willow” Wilson nailing three goals within the first five minutes whilst strong contested work from Rowan Enright and Nick Johnstone through the midfield kept the ball moving forward. With this and the team’s all round defensive and forward pressure we took a commanding six to one goal lead with the strong breeze.
Second Quarter, we contested well, putting our heads over the ball and not backing out from a contest. James Pitts, Murph and J. Card played inspired football against the wind. In particular, Pittsy’s role as the loose half back flanker requires a special note, getting the hard ball and loose ball, constantly repelling UHS’s attack. Noteworthy, too was Maggsy’s kicking efficiency kicking out. To the credit of UHS they kept pressing however, drawing closer, taking advantage of the breeze as we found ourselves under the pump. By quarter’s end we were up by two goals and intending to take full toll of the third term.
In the third quarter with the wind at our backs we took over the middle of the ground as Nicky J, R. Enright and A. Grant kept pumping the ball into the forwards. Strong Dukes from ‘Big Blondie’ and our ability to continually find space in the forward line and across the ground saw us holding UHS to a point for the quarter bringing us to a promising 71- 38 lead going into the final term.
The last quarter we were given the orders from Timmy and El Capitano, telling us to back ourselves in and hit the ball hard. Learning from the second term against the wind we discussed the option of ‘tempo football’ and a “keeping’s off approach” was brought in. For the first time in the match UHS got the early jump on us as their midfield and forwards took control around the packs and finished well booting three goals in quick succession. Pressure was mounting and now only two goals up we had a re-energised UHS to contend with.
Suddenly however our team started to run! Things clicked as we kicked the next three goals against the breeze aided and abetted by good crumbing, a strong grab and a cheeky 40 metre snap from Gabe in the right pocket.
The final scores Fitzroy 89 defeated UHS – VU 60. A well earned win was enjoyed thoroughly with a fitting cold beer.
Go Roys!
Timmy Maddern’s Best’s: J. Card, N.Johnstone, D. Murphy, T. Pinchen-Hogg, T. Wilson, R. Enright.
Goals: Wilson 5, Murphy 2, Mackay 2
