Round 8 - Fitzroy vs Ashburton

Cold, wet, misty conditions met the boys at the Olney oval for their game against the Ashburton side. With team stars, Darcy and Joel, out sick and injured, the coaching panel inspected, with some dismay, the farmyard conditions of the oval. During the pre-game warmup, John stressed the importance of playing in front, with the stark observation that 'teams that play behind lose'. Back in the rooms, he urged four quarters of focus from the boys and counselled them not to to be pressured into panic kicks or handballs. Co-captains, Sam Ward and Kyle, led the team out as a light drizzle started. The first quarter started with Fitzroy under immediate pressure, the first goal of the day going Ashburton's way. Not to be outdone however, great teaming from Laird and Max resulted in later kicking Fitzroy's first goal to equalise.  Will and Yianni were working hard in defence, however despite their efforts, the accurate Ashburton boys somehow managed to score another goal. Back into the attack, Stanley was winning possessions on the forward flank, while Mason was settling into his running game, creating opportunities for the team. Issac kicked for goal (narrowly missing) and shortly after, Max kicked for goal again (also narrowly missing). Both Kyle and Noah Camroux were enjoying a strong quarter. At the break, Fitzroy were ahead by a point or two. In the huddle, Isaac efforts in the ruck drew praise from the coaches. The second quarter started with Kyle back in amongst  the action. With the ball in Fitzroy's forward line, Jack kicked for goal and Stanley won himself a free kick. Ashburton were making the most of their opportunities however and they managed to kick another goal. Sam Clarke and Laird were playing hard at the ball and Kyle took a terrific overhead mark in the challenging conditions. Sam Ward was playing well all over the ground and Joe was working tirelessly to create opportunities on the forward line. Sam Clark won possession and kicked accurately to Lucas, who took a courageous mark (having just missed kicking a goal from an inaccurate kickout by the opposition fullback). Will launched a fearless attack to win the ball from centre half back and kicked deep into the forward line. This resulted in Lucas marking and then kicking for goal (narrowly missing again). Shortly after, Sam Ward (and the team's) toil was rewarded with him winning the ball and kicking the Fitzroy's second goal. The quarter ended with Isaac roving from his own ruck work and clearing the ball from the centre. At the half time break, Scott called out that the team had maintained it's momentum and intensity for the whole quarter. He urged the boys to kick straight down the centre ("straight down the guts"). Team Statistician, Gerry, noted Fitzroy's 7 inside 50s to Ashburton's 1, calling out the greater efficiency of the Ashburton side in terms of scoring.  John suggested that the team were playing "great footy" but they needed to maintain their intensity and desire. The third quarter started Isaac in terrific form, winning the ball in contest twice and finishing off with a big kick to Alex, who narrowly missed kicking a goal. Shortly after, Stanley 'crumbed' the ball and kicked a goal from an impossible angle. Back in play, Mason and Noah Dekker were working hard to create opportunities and Finn was getting a ton of kicks. Tom Ward and Leo were playing hard at the ball and Joe was contesting in the air (and tackling strongly in defence). Fitzroy were struggling with the pace and accuracy of the Ashburton attack however, and despite the heroics of Will, taking a mark in the last line of defence, they managed to take the lead. The quarter ended with the scoreline showing Ashburton 6 goals 1 point to Fitzroy's 3 goals 8 points. At the break  Paul pointed out that the boys where kicking to the scoring end of the ground and to make the most of this advantage. He urged the team to play in front and be accountable for their man in defence. Gerry told the boys that they could still win the game but they needed to concentrate for the remaining fifteen minutes. The final quarter started with Ashburton kicking first goal, once again too fast and accurate for the Fitzroy defenders. Sam Clark was rewarded for his efforts playing in front by getting kicks. Joe and Mason were working hard in the last line of defence and rushed the ball through for a point.  Isaac was dominating in the ruck and winning possession around the ground, while Noah Camroux using his strength to break out of the packs. A wonderful tackle from Mason saw him being awarded a free kick in the last line of defence. Noah Dekker was getting kicks around the ground and Dom was working hard to win position and create opportunities. In rapid succession, Jack won possession of the ball twice to kick the ball deep into Fitzroy's forward line, with Sam Ward finished off to kick his second goal. Yanni was working hard around the ground and the competitive Lachie was winning contested possessions. The game ended in a disappointing manner with Ashburton holding on to their lead. In the drizzle, the teams shook hands and Laird was awarded the opposition team team medal for his outstanding game. Back in the rooms John talked about the number of turnovers the team had allowed, (which created opportunities for the opposition). Will was praised for his  attack on the ball. To complete the day, Max and Isaac were awarded the lolly bags - Max for the 'drive' he brought to the team and Isaac for his terrific game. With that, everyone departed, looking forward the upcoming long weekend and the game the following week against their traditional rivals, Ivanhoe.