Round 4 this week saw Springwood Navy open proceedings with a Friday night fixture against Jindalee at Jindalee. Prior to the game Jindalee sat on the bottom of the table but none of us paid any attention to that, they are a good footy side with plenty of rep players and some excellent first year 16s. And it was only 3 rounds in. No, we weren’t going to take them lightly, this is a very even competition and any team can win any game. The weather also promised that it would play its part with constant rain throughout the afternoon not easing up at all, and we got a very wet night of footy. The ground itself was in good nick, firm underneath, but the footy was going to get slippery early and it promised to be a typical wet weather slog.
It was really important in these types of conditions to get on the board early, make the most of the dry ball, and we spoke about that before running out. It took us 20 seconds. A clean tap to Callum, a run and long kick to a marking Dan and we got the first. A terrific start and that lead was never to be surrendered all night. The ball then started to do what we thought it would, become slippery and heavy, and it was wet weather footy, basic stuff like head over it, contest it hard, kick it long and nothing too fancy. At quarter time we led 2-4 to just 3 points and I thought we had done the basic stuff pretty well. I thought we controlled the game to that point and a 13 point lead in those conditions, even though there was a long way to go, was more than handy. Also pretty pleased re the free kicks, last week we got hammered and we made a point pre game to try to address this and keep them under control. They were to spiral out of control again but more about that later.
The second quarter was an even tussle with both sides really working hard in the difficult conditions. Scoring wasn’t easy and both sides could manage just the 1 goal each. 6 free kicks to two against us in the quarter but I didn’t think too much of it but it was the start of a disturbing trend. At half time in the rooms the boys seemed pretty flat but I told them we had played a good half of wet weather footy and were in fact still in a good position to win the game. Everyone was playing their part and no one was dodging the hard contests.
The 3rd quarter probably sewed the game up for us, we kicked 2-1 to just the 2 points and led by an even 4 goals at the final change. A bit of frustration was starting to creep in amongst the group about the free kick count which now stood at 16-9 and so to still play like we did was very pleasing. Unfortunately at this point the coach has to take a whack because he made a big mistake. He tried to close out the game by dropping a spare defender back instead of attacking the game out and playing it like we had for the first 3 quarters. We probably had as many inside 50s as they did in the last quarter but with a man short on our forward line they cleaned the ball out too easily and put pressure on our defensive half. Never again, lesson learned. Despite kicking the first goal and taking the lead out to 28 points Jindalee, to their credit, in the last 10 minutes kicked 3 in a row (and a few near misses) to get within a goal. We had to dig deep for the last 2 minutes but we managed to get forward, kick a couple of points and run out winners by 8 points.
So the last 10 minutes, 8 free kicks in a row to Jindalee, two 50 metre penalties for very minor (albeit a bit silly) things and twice pinged for overstepping the 10 metre square on the kick in (how the umpire could see that in those rainy conditions from where he was standing inside the centre square is beyond me, given the lines were almost invisible) got us all a bit frustrated and cranky. The final free kick count stood at 27-12 and I could not see for the life of me what we were doing any different to what they were doing. It was a hard fought, physical game with both sides attacking the contest hard. How could we be 15 infringements worse than Jindalee? I am still scratching my head about that, that is 2 weeks in a row now and I know we are not that undisciplined. It’s a worry and something we need to address, and I am sure we will. Anyway we got an important win and we move on.
That’s 4 from 4 and obviously a very good start to the season, included in that is away wins at Kenmore, Everton and now Jindalee. They are difficult places to win and that will be a huge bonus for us going forward. As we know though it is a very close competition and we need to keep improving and working on our deficiencies. 3 home games in a row now is great for us but it doesn’t guarantee us anything other than a few extra hot chips sold at the canteen. Ipswich this week then Ferny Grove (last start winners over a good Everton side) and Kenmore means we have to keep focussed and keep working hard at training (not off to a good start last night though boys, need to be much better than that).
Final scores Springwood 6-7-43 def Jindalee 4-11-35
Best players: Hayden Day, Rhys Murdoch, Ben Menz, Reece Adams, Matt Iervese, Nate Murcutt, Callum Eddy, Aiden Dipietro, Jacob Mitchell again with apologies to many others who played their role.
Goalkickers Dan Willaton 2, Callum Eddy 2, Hayden Day, Aiden Dipietro
Springwood Gold were next cab off the rank, up against the always strong Sandgate at home on Sunday. This game was always going to be a tough battle as Sandgate had a lot of size about them and many of them more than capable of filling paces in their Division 1 side. We had 22 for the first time, thanks to 4 Under 14s backing up (thanks again boys) from earlier in the day (also against Sandgate in an unfortunate one sided game). It was an enthusiastic bunch that took the field.
As is going to be the case a lot this year the boys were simply outclassed, not to be confused with out enthused. Sandgate just had too many talls and too many hard runners and we never really threatened them on the scoreboard. Having said that though there were definite signs of improvement. For one of the first times this season we actually started to move the ball really well at times. Gone was the old kick and hope and we tried to give the ball off to a team mate in a better position. Even at times it didn’t come off but you could see the boys trying to do it right and putting thought into what they were doing. That’s a good sign. Also evident was a bit of thought going into our centre tap outs, we won plenty of these and our on ballers took advantage of it, so that’s a positive. The tackle count was pretty good too, much better in the second half than the first so again to me that showed tremendous spirit and a never give in attitude, that’s a good sign too. Individuals are starting to improve too and hopefully that can continue for the rest of the season ahead.
Also good to see Under 14 player Mitch Osland up and about and ok, he was hurt in a very tackle right on the final siren and needed a precautionary ambulance visit to make sure he had no internal injuries. He will miss a week or so of footy but otherwise he is all good, well done Mitch and once again well done to all the Under 14s boys, and their coaches and parents, who continually put the club first and make themselves available to help out and play up. Well done.
Final scores Sandgate 15-15-105 def Springwood 4-5-29
Best players Alee Ingabire, Ryan Davies, Harley Storey, Ben McDonald , Matt Iervese, Alex Smith, Brighton Page, Jack Leahy. Plenty of others showed a bit in patches and if they can do that a bit more consistently then results will start to head our way I am sure.
Goalkickers : Dylan Keggan 1, Caleb Kennedy 1, Matt Iervese 1 (a torpedo from on the junction of the 50 arc and the boundary line), Dylan Hodge 1
Aspley this week on Friday night up at Aspley and no point in sugar coating what will be a very tough night boys. At the time of writing we have only 17 available players due to unavailability’s, injury and the 14s playing at the same time (which Brisbane Juniors promised us wouldn’t happen). It is going to take a lot of character and spirit to get through the game against one of the top Div 4 teams. We will talk more about that on Wednesday night.
Cheers boys
Steve
Last Modified on 29/05/2012 11:07