Roos Wrap
It’s set to be a big day for the Roos this week as we take on the undefeated Chidlow Cougars. A massive test for our young side and a good barometer of where we are at. Refreshed after a weekend off the boys have a great opportunity to continue to develop and grow together.
The weekend prior to the last pitted us against Pickering Brook in what we thought would be a big test. Elf (Mat Elkington), Dylan (O’Loghlen aka ‘Chook’), Jesse (Ball), Jonesy (Matt Jones) and Jake (Vitler) (in for his first game for the club), replaced Crash (Tom Preston), Harry (Heine), Kizza (Kieron Lipman) and Zolton (Harris). Pickers now in new colours promised for a good contest without the usual clash of jumpers from the past few years.
Pickers started well kicking the first goal as our backline took some time to settle down. A raft of tall timber for the opposition meant TBag (Tom Greig) and Shaggy (James Hartley) were in for a tough day and the early running in the middle had Pickers getting first hand on it.
The boys began to settle and rebound from the backline as Dave Smith, Chook and Greggo (Matt Pittaway) started to run. Dev (Borstel), Sep (Joe Cowton) and Tyson (Hamling) began to find the ball in the middle and drive the ball forward and when Stu (Rodgers) kicked his first for the afternoon after a great tackle the boys were away, five goals to two at quarter time.
The coach asked the boys to take the game on and attack at every chance, and that’s exactly what they did as Shaggy, Stu and Tyson capitalised on the great work further up the ground. Jonesy back in the team for his first game of the year was relishing the opportunity to run and along with Jesse, Gaz (Braeden Hilgert), Reece (Nickisson) and Beavo (James Beavington) found their bigger opponents couldn’t keep up. Five goals to zip for the quarter and we were eight goals up at the main break.
A quick game of entertaining Auskick from the Mundaring juniors and the boys were back for the all important third quarter. With a big crowd full of past players celebrating yester year’s successes, the young Roos of 2017 were certainly turning it on.
Tyson found his range in the third as Sep started to find him in the forward line. Dev was everywhere taking marks and running hard and when Stu handed off to Jesse at the top of the square close on three quarter time, we had held the opposition goalless for a second quarter and the game was ours. The scoreline at three quarter time – fourteen goals to two!
Pickers rallied in the last quarter and kicked two in a row before a late goal to Chook in the square had us finishing the game with a big 88 point win. Goal scorers on the day were Tyson (five), Shaggy and Reece (three), Mick (Italiano) and Stu (two), Gaz, Chook, Jesse and Dev (one apiece).
Dev took home the Cellarbrations at Mundaring Best Player award with Tyson, Sep and Beavo closing out the top four. Gaz, Jesse and Chook were each recognised for their great games also. All round an excellent team effort where the backline stood tall, the midfield ran hard and the forwards finished well.
A couple of other mentions must also go to Rhino (Dave Ryan) who was brought to his knees by a bee, Maitland for taking a screamer and of course, Greggo – well done on your inspirational speeches and for never losing sight of what we are here for: “frothies” and betting with Tank (Tom Cowton) while you were playing.
On a final note, a hearty ‘well done’ and a sincere ‘thankyou’ to all who helped bring about the organisation of a very special day for our club in celebrating our 1987 and 2002 premierships. To club life members, Pat Sullivan and Mick Italiano in particular for contacting the respective teams, not to mention your wise words on the night. Additional thanks also to the girls in the canteen for their sterling work and to all of the boys who helped in setting up and packing up before and after the event.
Go Roos!