Welcome to Round 13 Bloods as we head upstream to take on the Cobram Tigers on their home patch. Ball night tonight, so we hope to see everybody in attendance at our gala event of the year.
Under 14's - It was expected this week would be a tough game with Moama sitting on top of the U/14 ladder. To the boys credit the Mercy Rule was not engaged until the 2nd quarter. The word from the coach at half time was focus on the ball, focus on tackling but most of all enjoy your football. Even with our extra players on, Toc struggled to shut down the fast running midfield of Moama. Rick Govan does an amazing job each week providing positives and motivation to such a young, small team. The amount of kids wanting to play each week is testimony to how much they enjoy playing under his guidance. Well done Rick, the club and parents appreciates your efforts.
Under 17's - First off - We thank Moama for the agreement in playing "16 a side" last week. We welcomed two new recruits to Tocumwal in Sam Rennie and Sam Marcus. From what we've seen they will be more than handy acquisitions. We were up against a very slick group of players in Moama last week. Being down to the bare number we endeavored to showcase some good passages of play. A real positive would see the continual improvement in the whole group. Being low in numbers allows us to try players in most positions on the ground. Great for "Footy Development"! A classic example would be "The Bunnie" into the ruck. Certainly didn't disgrace himself. Very good players over the journey would be Rhys Morham, Jesse Bunnett, Colin Shaw, Brad McCallum and a couple of "Slippery Sams!" This week's "Happy Helper" is "Dicky Kelly". He is the quiet unassuming fellow that volunteers for everything! He is also "Rushie's" grandfather. Your efforts Dicky are well appreciated.
Today - Cobram this could be an interesting match. As we say each week - enjoy your game!
Reserves - The Toc Magoo's went in with a few changes including thirds boys in Rhys M, Sam R and veterans Sutto, Brian Morham and Peter Ab giving us a full list. Fitness again was the telling factor with the boys more than competitive for the first 10-15 minutes only to let easy goals be scored late in the quarter. The young fellows in Dennis "Dynamo" Sutton, "Bashin" Brian Morham, PAB and Battling Bobby gave their all against the flow, while Croc Daddy Morgan and Mouse Poynton played their best games for the year and Sammy R backed up his BOG in the thirds by continually throwing himself into the thick of the action.
Seniors - What can we say about the seniors other than it was the one that got away. We went from dictating and creating the play in the first half only to let the opposition do the same in the second half. We've shown throughout the year that regardless of the quality of our opponents and what team we have in when we back each other, take some risks and play with flair it looks good despite the score, we just need to do it consistently.
While disappointing there were still some huge positives to come from it, no more so than Matty Petersen's first game for the year as he was rock solid and creative in a key back role, demonstrating through both fitness, determination and the ability to read the play what a valuable player he can be for the Bloods.
Also congratulations to Tommy and Mick on their senior debuts who both showed what they are capable of and will only improve once they get to know their team mates a bit better.
Choco (again) lead the young guns Smooth Sam Hatty, Jumpin Jake Hore and Ollie, Ollie, Ollie, Oy, Oy, Oy (Happy 21st Ollie), while the fact that Eeyore Phelan even took the field let alone the effort he put in was truly commmendable and an inspiration to his team mates.
