Roos Wrap

Last week’s game against Mounties – a great challenge on what was a fantastic day for football.  Zolton (Harris) and Lochy (Fitzpatrick) came back into the side for Tank (Tom Cowton), Elf (Mat Elkington) and Dyl (O’Loghlen).  Thankfully a dry start to the season meant that the Mounties ground was in good nick… however the dimensions were still as small as ever!

A good start to the game by the boys with Shaggy (James Hartley) kicking our first for the afternoon before a sneaky Dave Smith special had our second on the board.  A heavy hit had Rhino (Dave Ryan) seeing stars and the bench seeing red as the umpires missed a late one.   Kizza (Kieron Lipman) sprung to life with a couple of classy goals before he joined Rhino on the sidelines after a nasty collision and his day was done. We were two down on the bench at the first change but more importantly we were three goals up.

With the second quarter underway the contest heated up.  Michael (Italiano) joined the fray kicking the next two goals while Maitland (Bol) had some help to take a closer look at the ground as he joined Rhino and Kizza on the bench.  Shaggy moved to the ruck and begun to give the boys in the middle first use of the ball and dominated around the ground. Beavo (James Beavington) was working hard, winning the contest on his wing and Gaz (Braeden Hilgert) was marking everything that came his way on the on the half forward line.  Crash (Tom Preston) relished the move up onto the wing as Lindsey (Vitler) switched to half forward and when Shaggy kicked his second of the afternoon we were five goals up at  the main break.

The hot day was certainly taking its toll as we started the third and a fired up Mounties came out to play.  Maitland made a brief journey forward to play a part in Michael’s third goal for the afternoon and Shaggy did what he does best and marked everything that came his way.  Mounties wouldn’t lie down however and only a late long goal to Beavo had the Roos five goals up at the last change.

The last quarter began with some inaccurate kicking from the Roos with several points scored before Mounties kicked the first of five goals for the quarter.  We kept picking out ‘the Ranga’ as we went forward and if it not for some handy work from our backs  (namely Greggo (Matt Pittaway)- fresh as a Daisy from his night “on the Mids”, LG (Luke Greig), Andy (Freeman) and Dave) we would have been in real danger. Our last goal of the afternoon and our only one for the last quarter from Gaz, had us back out to a four goal lead before Mounties kicked the last two of the game.

A hard earned win on the days for the Roos.  Shaggy taking out the Cellarbrations at Mundaring best on ground award with Dave Smith second and Gaz third.  Beavo was rewarded for his four quarter effort and polish to take fourth best with Crash rounding out the top 5. A good performance down back from LG saw him take out the Peep Show award.

A big day for the Roos this coming weekend against Pickering Brook at the MRG (Mundaring Rec Ground) as we pay homage to the premiership teams of 1987 and 2002. Thirty years since a successful Roos side beat University in E Grade and fifteen years since our victory over Gidgegannup.   No doubt many tall stories will be told as the boys catch up.  How long was that goal? How big was that mark? How hard was that hit?

The club welcomes all of you who are returning for the occasion, some after many years. We hope you enjoy the game and have a fantastic day.

Go Roos!

Saturday afternoon against Bully was the task for the Roos as we paid tribute to Brendyn Johnston in the annual memorial game in his name. It was 24 a side, both teams with good numbers.  Lochy and Zolton made way for Dylan and Kizza.

It was a fast start for the boys who were keen to continue the good form that was shown against Parky. Reece picked up from where he finished last week kicking the first for the day and playedhis part in setting up our second.  Enter the ‘Micko Show’ as he first took advantage of Rhys’s good work and then followed up with next two to have three for the quarter.  Goals to Gaz, Tyson and Sep had us seven to zip nearing the end of the first quarter before a heated skirmish in front of the benches stopped the game.  Tank, Bags and LG in the thick of it as they defended Lindsey at the bottom of the pack.. with assistant coach, Firey standing back ever the proud dad “that’s my boys”!

With Tank on the sidelines for the start of the second following the fracas, Tyson moved into the midfield and along with Sep, took advantage of some great tap work from Bags and Shags to continually drive the ball deep into the forward line.  Lindsey sprung to life and began to get his hands on the ball and Micko popped up again to kick another two goals.. five to half time!

A challenge from the coach to get more reward for effort at the main break and the boys had a big third quarter.  Tank, Sep and Dev were dominating through the middle and Lindsey had the ball on a string. Tyson began to find his range in front of goal to kick two for the quarter and Mick’s day out continued with another three.  We had kicked eight for the quarter and Mick had eight straight!

The last quarter was on … enter Tyson and Rhys as they combined for the first two goals. Dave Smith, looking for a rest at full forward quickly kicked a couple and when he passed to Gaz in the goal square for his second, all eyes turned to Bullsbrook as they kicked the next three to have four for the quarter.  Unsatisfied with his bag, Mick stepped up yet again and when he kicked the last of the game, it was ten straight and the Roos had recorded a big win.

Goal scorers for the day Mick – ten, Rhys and Tyson – four each, Gaz and Dave Smith – two, with singles to Sep, Crash, Shags and Lindsey.  Michael Italiano received the Medal from Brendo’s mum, Vicki.  Sep was second best on ground, Lindsey next best with Tyson rounding out the top four.  Dev received the Mr Magic Carwash award for his pressure and outside run and Rhino picked up the Gold coins for his trip to Bali after a great game across half back. Many more could have easily got an award on the day in what was a great team effort.

A few mentions on the day with Beavo showing the results of a long summer in the gym tackling strongly all day, Bags and Zolton for forgetting where they were when the scrap broke out and to Maitland who gave away a few dodgy free kicks. Thanks to Harry for donning the red shirt and well done to the umpires who managed to get the ball above Shaggys head by the last quarter.

A big challenge against Mounties in our first game away.  Another opportunity to improve, learn and test ourselves against a team that has had the wood over us for the last few years.

Go Roos!

Finally the season got underway and a new look Roos (complete with new jumpers) ran out against Parky.  Into the team came Michael, Reece4, Jesse, Lindsey and Zolton, with Andy back in the fold after a year off!

Warm and windy conditions greeted the boys, and a nervous Roos side were quick out of the blocks.  Mick and Rhys had an immediate impact up forward taking full advantage of some great work through the middle of the ground.  Gaz was up and about across half forward, and before you knew it, we were six goals to one up at the first break.

A reality check came in the second as Parky fought back, some bad luck across half back with Rhino and Greggo showing great commitment only to take each other out.  Four goals to two and the margin was back to sixteen points at the half.

The brothers Cowton began to combine in the third and along with the in-law Dave, took control of the game. Shaggy started to take his marks and kicked a couple with TBag shouldering the ruck duties.  Rhys continued to use the ball well to create opportunities and when Dave snuck forward to make a simple goal very hard we were out to a forty point lead at the last change.

An even last quarter with both teams feeling the pinch of round 1.  Two goals apiece had the Roos run out seven goal winners …  a first up win and our first against Parky since they joined the comp.

Tank, Dave and TBag were our top three on the day with the young boys Rhys, Gaz and Michael having great games picking up the remaining awards, the young Italiano excelling with his speech!   Shags bagged five, Michael and Rhys three a piece, with singles to Tys, Crash, Dave, Bags and Gaz. Overall a great team effort on the day – one to build on, learn from and grow from.

A new look Bullsbrook awaits the Roos next Saturday for the Brendyn Johnston memorial game.  A great chance for the boys to continue to learn each other’s game, build on our first up win and dedicate our performance to a great club man.

Go Roos!

It seems a long time ago that we ran the first golf course and began our pre-season for 2017. Thirty three sessions down and safe to say we are ready to have a kick in a competitive game.  A whole lot of hard running along with a Beach session, Kings Park, Burswood and the dreaded Weir steps…the boys are keen to see the back of such sessions!

A new year brings new faces to the club with some exciting young players hitting the track. Michael, Harry, Rhys, Jesse, Blake, Dylan, Jake, Lyndsey go a long way to addressing the average age, with Andy and Maitland making a return to the team.  Paul Greig (aka “Firey”) returns to help out as an assistant coach and his experience and ability to control the brothers Greig will be greatly appreciated.  Brucey and Milney will be helping out in managing the side for the year, Billy will be back in goals with Lochie and Kade running the boundary again for the year.

Tom “Tank” Cowton will again captain the side for the year with five deputies making up a really strong leadership group:  Tyson, Kieron, Chook, Greggo and Dev will be leading the team and driving the boys to succeed.

The committee also sees a few changes for the year with Matthew Elkington taking on the President’s role. Dylan O’Loghlen, Sue Cowton and Phill Geary return as Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer respectively and are joined on the committee by Connor Rowson, Bill O’Leary, Maitland Bol and Tom Cowton.

This week represents a big challenge with a rematch against Parky who touched us up in the first semi last year. A great opportunity to show the progress we have made and the ability of our new players.  It will be a long season but it is important to get off to a strong start.  We will continue to grow in confidence as a team and look to improve on last years efforts.

Go Roos!

A windy and wet Pickering Brook was the assignment for the Roos this week in another crucial game for our boys.

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