The U/12 Dandenong Ranges Team of 2009 performed soundly in this years carnival. It's fair to say the that the selection system still needs work and that was addressed in detail with many other issues at the Inter league meeting on Monday the 14th. Nevertheless is was a reasonably strong team.
This age group really loves this opportunity and the thing that they enjoy as much as carnival day is training. They totally relish the chance to train well and hard amongst a group of better players than they experience at club level. Training attendance was near perfect with players still turning up injured or sick. Their commitment is unrivalled and that as a dedicated coach makes me very proud.
The first game was against the Mornington Penisula team and it was a combination of us having total stage fright and M.P being the stand out team that resulted in us getting a good old spanking. However we had a detailed team meeting and discussed the two areas of concern, that being the fumbles and the lack of pressure. Every player had trouble picking up the ball which continually caused congestion and turn overs and secondly few players exerted strong tackles and in and under dedicated contests. So there was some really good things to look forward to in the way of improvement. We took away our small brigade before the next game and spoke to them about how important it was for the team for these guys to start reading the packs and really getting their hands dirty.
So came game 2 against the Alberton Team who l rate quite highly. The most pleasing aspect of this game was for these young footballers to respond and follow insrtuctions. This game produced clean hands, better movement and a fantastic effort by our small guys. Players like Michael, Dean, Luke, Jed, Matt and Bailey really lifted. The second half saw a very committed Alberton Team take it right up to us after a very dominating first half by us. However we prevailed and coming into the last game against the DRJFL's old foe Frankston-Dandenong we have a huge task to beat them in both halves in order for us to take out runners up in the 2009 carnival.
This young committed team who l have had the pleasure of working with a lot of them for the past 2 years clearly wanted this result. By now we knew where all the positions that the players had settled well into. We gave the group all the information about the performances of the day by the Frankston District team and the indicators were that we were travelling better. And so it was as we played to our best and our best was good enough. A hard game which was very close all the way to the end. Is there a sweeter sound l ask than the sound of the siren when your just in front in a final? l think not.
Everybody as always needs to be thanked. Parents, you are so important for if you can't commit then nor can the player. The hard working league (God bless you all) my staff, Kolby, Belinda, Janine, Nick, Glenn and our hard working water carriers. Without all of our contributions this carnival couldn't and wouldn't exist. Last of all the wonderful players who wore the jumper with pride l thank you all. You all very special people. l would like to finish by naming the best six players of the team. Congratulations to all your efforts in particular Jack Lee, Luke Spiden, Stuart Horner, Bailey Oats, Bradd Arnold (a mighty solo effort in the ruck) and Jayden Depace. The DRJFL are a force now to be recognized and considering we are a small league with the results we are getting now it just shows we're doing something right.
Hugh Clasby
Last Modified on 17/06/2009 17:51
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