Round 13 - Fitzroy vs Heidelberg

Battling to keep their finals dream alive, the boys lined up against the Heidelberg side in bitterly cold conditions. Seeking temporary respite in the rooms from the icy gale outside, John took the boys back to the basics of the three 3s ('Respect, Responsibility, Run') and also emphasized the importance of second, third and fourth efforts. Given that the team needed to win the remaining three games to stay in contention for the finals, he urged to boys to play at their very best. Team captain's, Sam Ward and Dom, led the boys out and elected to kicked with the wind towards the CBD end.  The game started in sensation style with Joel winning the initial ruck dual, tapping over to Laird who handballed to Sam, who kicked to Yianni, who kicked to Lucas, who narrowly missed kicking the team's first goal. Moments later, in a moment of play reading brilliance, Sam Clarke intercepted the Heidelberg kickout and finished the job off for Fitzroy. Back in the centre, Laird cleared again and kicked to to the pack, where a barnstorming Yianni crashed through and kicked to Stanley, who kicked Fitzroy's second goal in as many minutes. Shortly afterwards, a rampaging Laird snapped another goal on the run. The team had scored three goals on the trot and were off to their best start all year. Just when it seemed it couldn't get better, it did! Yianni, having decided to try and win the game single-handedly, contributed to clear the ball and sent it to the ever dangerous Lucas, who scored Fitzroy's fourth goal. The quarter ended with mercurial Joe doing some terrific work in defence and Dom narrowly missing kicking another goal. Fitzroy had got off to a wonderful start. At the break, Scott praised the boys for their impressive form. Noting the impact of the wind however, he told them that they'd need to work three times harder to score in the next quarter. Gerry outlined that the boys had achieved 7 inside 50s, their highest tally for the year. The second quarter started with Lachie and Mason back to their hard-at-the-ball best and Noah Dekker tackling hard and winning free kicks. With the team having worked the ball into Fitzroy's forward line, Jack ducked and weaved his way past several Heidelberg players to kick one of his trademark tight-angle goals. Shortly after, Sam Ward, not wanting to miss out on the scoring action, made a mockery of the conditions and kicked long into the wind to score again. The first half ended with Fitzroy 6 goals in front and kicking with the wind for the third, and premiership quarter. In rooms, John urged the boys not to become complacent and keep their intensity up. From the commencement of the third quarter it was clear that Heidelberg weren't throwing in the towel. Scoring opportunities were for Fitzroy were harder to come by as the Heidelberg defenders found their rhythm. Nothing however could stop Stanley and Laird. Determined and artful as ever, both managed to outwit their opponents and increase the team's goal tally. Stanley's kick must have carried almost 50 metres with the wind. Meanwhile, the skillful Dom was having a wonderful game. In addition to being the dominant key position player on the field and proving handy in the ruck, he also demonstrated his goal kicking prowess in the third quarter. Having marked some distance out, his kick through the goal posts never looked in doubt. At the final break, John willed the boys to finish the game off with a strong final quarter and show no mercy to Heidelberg's scoreline. The final term started with Sam Ward showcasing his ability to execute a 'blind turn' a break a tackle, while the previous week's match-winner, Tom Ward, was reading the play with confidence and getting kicks. Will and Isaac were at their attacking best in defence, while Kyle, as per usual, was everywhere. The game ended with the persistent Heidelberg forwards managing to score a goal seconds before the final siren (a suitable reward for their toil). Both sides lined up to congratulate each other and thank the umpires. It surprised nobody that Laird was awarded the opposition team medal for virtuoso performance. Back in the rooms, John thanked captains, Sam Ward and Dom, for leading from the front all day, before the team song was duly sung. With that, everyone departed home for a hot shower. While all agreed it had been a cracking game for Fitzroy and that their finals dream was still alive, everyone was also aware that two more must-win games awaited the team before they could claim that honor.

  

Round 12 - St Mary's vs Fitzroy

Fitzroy's must-win game against St Mary's at Ford Park was one of their better ones for the year. Played with a strong wind favouring the southern end, the boys made the most of their opportunities up forward and kicked accurately, both into the wind and against it. Laird, Tom Ward, Lucas and Max all scored goals. Fitzroy's defence was solid all day, limiting St Mary's scoring opportunities. Everyone played well, including a local dog, sadly chased off the field at the start of play by an unsympathetic Boundary Umpire. Tom Ward announced himself as a big game player. Fast and effective throughout the game, he managed to kick one of the more skillful goals seen this season. His best game ever. Yianni was a revelation out of the centre, while Lachie was outstanding until coming off the ground injured in the third quarter. Joe Martin quietly went about gathering possessions throughout the day. Fearless at the ball and skillful with his disposal, he demonstrated once again why he's become such an important member of the team. Stanley, Finn, Laird, Sam Ward and Kyle were all in good form. In one outstanding passage of play, Isaac doggedly pursued the the ball forward for 50 metres or more before gathering cleanly and kicking into the forward line. With a gail force wind assisting St Mary's in the last quarter, the entire Fitzroy side flooding the back line and managed to ensure that the ball remained in the 'dead' back pocket. With that, the boys held on for a well deserved win.  It was one of the most consistent and intelligent games the boys have played this year, assisted by some astute tactical guidance from the coaching panel. Fill in team manager, Jan Dekker, did a great job (not as good as Sean, but still pretty good). Tom Ward was awarded the opposition team medal for best Fitzroy player for his breakout game.