Official Match Report
“Oh we’re from Sandringham…”, so nice to hear this song sung for the first time this season and, based on today’s spirited effort, it won’t be the last time.
It took us a quarter and a half today to start playing a brand of football that we want to play going forward, but once we did I think we all enjoyed the game a whole lot more. Last week, boys were sore and sorry wanting to come off the ground, today we finished full of running with everybody contributing. Final scores were 11 11 77 to 7 10 52, a 25 point win.
The game started with Beaumaris dominating all areas of the game. They looked quicker, bigger and definitely there attack on the ball was harder than ours. We managed a few forward forays but generally we were out of position with forwards chasing kicks further up the ground. A goal after the siren to Max Walstab, courtesy of a 30 metre penalty, kept us in the game but in reality the scoreboard flattered us. 1 3 9 to Beaumaris 2 2 14
The second quarter started as much the same as the first with Beaumaris looking the stronger team. They kicked a couple of early goals and also missed a few that is kicked may have seen the margin stretch to over 30 points.
Then things changed. I cannot put my finger on any one contest that signalled the turnaround but all of a sudden we started to compete in contests, we linked up along the wings and we hit targets with our kicking. Our forward were in the right place and, unlike Beaumaris who missed their shots, converted their chances. We put on 4 goals in the last 10 minutes and, despite all Beaumaris’s early domination, we went into the main break with a 4 point lead. 5 4 34 to 4 6 30.
We talked about the importance of the third quarter; Beaumaris had the wind and we knew they would come hard. If we could hold them to a goal or two we would be a chance to come home hard. The plan didn’t quite work and Beauy kicked 3 goals to take a solid lead early in the quarter. We responded however and the last 10 minutes were an arm wrestle; Sam Batson got a goal against play and Beaumaris squandered late chance by kicking points. I saw some really positive signs and clever football in that last 10 minutes. We will learn and get better and for me, as coach, that’s pretty exciting. Scores at the final change were 6 5 41 to 7 10 52; we trailed by 11 points.
My only challenge to the group at the last change was to play as a team. 21 boys pushing in the same direction is far stronger than a few trying to be individuals. I could not have been prouder. It was a terrific last quarter where each and every one of you contributed. Our defenders pushed forward and made a wall that was impassable. Our forwards worked together to score the goals and to keep the ball in the scoring area and our on-ballers won all the one on one contests. Callum Brent kicked 3 with Sam Morris and Jordy Blogg pitching in for one each. But for me the highlights of the final quarter were Sam Batson’s hand pass to set Jordy’s goal up; selfless and sensational and James Matthews workrate at full forward; he didn’t get a goal but just gave us contest after contest - the goals will come.
When the final siren blew I sensed the boys were disappointed as they were enjoying their time in the middle. The final score read 11 11 77 to 7 10 52; a fitting result for your hard work. After the siren, I was proud of the way all the team came together, showed respect to the opposition, the umpires and each other. We will continue to gel and as we do we will grow and get better; that makes the coming few months exciting and full of opportunities.