Round 10 - Beverly Hills vs Fitzroy

Cold, clear, dry conditions greeted the boys for their away game against Beverly Hills - the coldest day of the year so far. While much of the ground was fast, the centre was a quagmire of sticky, black mud. With stars, Stanley, Tom Markham, Mason, Leo and Darcy away, it seemed like the boys had a job ahead of them against the team sitting above them on the ladder.  In the rooms before the game, John spoke of the 'massive opportunity' that awaited the team. He urged them not to panic and to maintain composure with their disposals. Team captains, Max and Jack, led the boys out through a guard of honour formed by the victorious 'Tackers' team who had just finished their match. The following three quarters tended to favor Fitzroy in the first half and Beverly Hills in the second, with Fitzroy being more successful at converting on the score line. Fitzroy's version of the 'Splash Brothers', Laird and Kyle, settled quickly into their rhythm for the game, while prolific possession winner, Sam Ward, continued with his strong consistent form from the previous games. Joe was punching well above his weight in terms of contested possessions, taking a mark and setting up Max to score the team's first goal of the day. Jack was having an impact around the ground, while the strongest rucking combination in the competition, Joel and Isaac were completely dominant. At quarter time, Scott was happy with the boys efforts but reminded them to follow team rules and kick to the flanks and not to 'kick into problems'. The second quarter saw Sam Clarke and Tom Ward playing strongly and winning possessions, while Jack took an excellent contested mark. Noah Dekker and Joe were attacking the ball with no fear, while Noah Cameroux was playing like a one man army in defence, With the ball in Fitzroy's crowded forward line, Yianni kicked off the ground to score the team's second goal. A little later, Alex kicked for goal but narrowly missed, while Will, reborn as an attacking forward, was looking dangerous. The third quarter saw Finn getting plenty of contested possessions, while Dom was keeping the opposition busy as he went about gathering kicks. Jack, reading the play with accuracy, seemed to be everywhere. Despite doing everything right to set it up, Sam Ward's almost certain goal was touched on the line before moments later, Lucas scored with a wonderful snap that sailed through for six points. Not to be outdone, the irrepressible Lachie, having played strongly all day, kicked another goal (much to the delight of his proud father, Scott). The final quarter saw the wind strengthen and Fitzroy's backline under pressure, as Beverly Hills enjoyed the advantage. Strong marking from Noah Cameroux in the last line of defence saw several scoring opportunities thwarted, while Finn, Laird and Tom Ward were working hard to defend and improve Fitzroy's lead. Cool under pressure, Noah Dekker was hand balling with precision, while Isaac using his athleticism to create opportunities. The game ended with a satisfying win for Fitzroy. Jack was awarded the opposition team medal for his powerhouse game while back in the rooms, Yianni and Noah Cameroux where awarded the lolly bags for there inspiring efforts in the forward line and in defence. Filthy but happy, the boys sang the Club song before heading home to a warm shower. Go Roys!

Round 9 - Ivanhoe vs Fitzroy

Fitzroy’s away game against unbeaten league leaders, Ivanhoe, was played in windless conditions on the large, muddy Ford Park oval. Despite the task against them, the boys seemed relaxed and cheerful during their pre-game warmup. Back in the rooms, John spoke of the importance of playing in front and not letting the opposition get the easy ball. He stressed that, putting aside Ivanhoe’s unbeaten record of winning by large scores, they were the same ‘flesh and blood’ as Fitzroy and if the boys could play four consistent quarters of football they might surprise themselves. Team captains, Isaac and Tom Markam, led the team out and won the toss. The game started with Lachie, Mason, Jack and Kyle getting early possessions and kicking foward. Isaac was settling into his strong form from the previous week and Tom Markam was leading by example, hard at the ball. Despite Ivanhoe kicking the first goal, the Fitzroy defence were proving effective at getting the ball back into the team’s forward line, where Yianni and Lucas were looking dangerous.  Dom chased an Ivanhoe player for 40 metres to apply a tackle, while Finn was playing in front to win the ball at Centre Half Back. Isaac took a terrific contested mark in the air as the quarter ended. At the break, Team Statistician, Gerry, explained Fitzroy had matched Ivanhoe for clearances and inside 50s, but noted that Ivanhoe were more effective at converting, having scored two goals. The second quarter started with Noah Dekker coming off the bench to have an immediate impact, getting kicks and handballing with forethought and skill. Stanley took a strong overhead mark and then later won possession, and kicked with pin point accuracy to Joel, who marked. Joe was tacking hard while Leo was playing with confidence and helping organize the forward line. Laird was bursting out of packs in possession of the ball. Weaving his way past several opposition players, Sam Ward broke free and kicked for goal, desperately unlucky to have it touched through for a point. Darcy and Kyle were proving fast and effective with their running game, while Noah Cameroux was playing hard at the ball, brushing aside opposition players with ease. The quarter ended with Fitzroy having won twice as many inside 50s as Ivanhoe and outscoring them for the quarter.  John noted that all the boys were playing well and called their efforts ‘sensational’. The third quarter started with Sam Clarke having an impact on the game and Finn and Jack playing hard at the ball and creating opportunities. Lachie was having a wonderful game, winning countless possessions, one of which contributed to Stanley marking and then scoring Fitzroy’s first goal. In addition to dominating in the ruck, Joel was working hard in the packs, cleverly getting the ball out to his team mates. Max was persistent in defence, applying a number of bone crunching tackles, while Joe and Mason, finding some space, took wonderful contested marks and narrowly missed kicking goals. At the final break, Scott praised the boys for their attach on the ball and noted that they’d outscored the highly rated Ivanhoe team again! Gerry urged the boys to have a strong final quarter, as they were still in the game. The final term started with Noah Dekker and Tom Ward playing hard at the ball and in front, while Will was proving to be a rock in defence, calmly taking on multiple opposition players to win the ball and slow play until help arrived. On field magician, Alex, was creating opportunities out of nothing and passing effectively, while the rest of the team were giving Ivanhoe little in the way of opportunities, playing an excellent defensive game. Despite best endeavours from Lucas and Yianni to turn the game around and some sharp kicking from Laird and Noah Dekker, Ivanhoe managed to hold on by a thread however. With the following game about to start, the teams lined up to shake hands. The talented Mason was awarded the opposition team medal for his sensational game. Back in the rooms, John praised the boys for their game, noting that they’d played four excellent quarters of football and they’d given their all to provide the unbeaten Ivanhoe with a terrible fright, They’d outscored them for three quarters! Finn and Kyle were awarded the lolly bags for their excellent games and consistent form throughout the season. The boys went home satisfied, knowing that while they hadn’t won, they played their best game for the year as a team. Go Roys!