Last week we travelled out to Schramms Reserve to take on last season's division three premiers, starting the day our U19 team had another two players join during the week and all played some fantastic football during their match, despite being beaten on the scoreboard they continue to give everything until the final siren – well done to all, stick with each other and the win will come. Best players Ryan Hardy, Dave Pierce, Connor White and Josh Barber on debut.
The reserves started well in the wet conditions and managed to get on the scoreboard early but Doncaster to their credit adapted better in what turned out to be a very scrappy game with the ball spending most of the game at ground level. While we managed to remain competitive for the four quarters we need to focus on our team game and adapt our game plan. Best players Mitch Jackson, Lachie Pritchard, Trent Michelson and Dylan Atkinson back for his first game in two seasons.
The senior game turned out to be a real shootout, starting well from the first bounce we were determined in the first quarter to take the game right up to Doncaster and our midfield delivered the ball into our forward line with precision enabling us to kick 11 goals for the quarter. We knew Doncaster were rattled and would make every effort to make amends in the second quarter but our defenders held their own and managed to keep them to just a seven-goal term while we added another two giving us a three-goal lead at the half-time break.
Knowing we needed to lift our intensity at the contest for the second half our young group managed to keep our defensive pressure up at the stoppages resulting in a very even quarter with us maintaining a slim four-point lead going into the final term. The last quarter proved a real arm wrestle, while we managed to get the ball into our forward line regularly the backline of Doncaster held up well and half way during the last quarter they managed to score a goal giving them the lead in the game for the first time, while we quickly responded they managed to kick another two goals giving them a narrow 11-point win at the final siren. To kick 11 goals in the first term and loose by 11 points is disappointing, we know we can play our brand of football against any team but we need to maintain the pressure for four quarters.
Fantasitc game by our forwards Bryce Galvin and Wayne McInerney kicking 10 goals between them with Jack Callanan, Neil Winterton and Damian Murray playing their best games for the season.
We will regroup with the week off and look forward to the contest at home against North Ringwood in round 5 – Go Waters!!
