Seniors

Seniors 11.11-77 FINAL 7.16-58 Ferntree Gully

What a day at Warrandyte reserve with a stirring win to our senior team in front of a big crowd while paying our respects to Brian Tomlinson and celebrating NAIDOC week playing in our indigenous jumpers! The football produced by both us and Ferntree Gully was fitting of the occasion as it was hard, fast, tough and a see sawing battle that had the large crowd enthralled until the end.

Both teams traded blows throughout the early stages but inaccurate kicking form both meant the margin was kept to 5 point and 3 points to us at the 1/4- and 1/2-time breaks. For the second week in a row the start to the second half was a concern as Ferntree Gully seemed to come out stronger and managed to kick away before a late rally allowed us to pull within 3 points at the last change.

I asked the boys for an increase in effort, energy and intensity at 3/4 time and to the delight of the crowd they delivered. A 4-goal last quarter highlighted by a set shot goal from Nikoda to seal the win in the jumper he co designed meant we walked away with 4 hard earn points and a 19 point victory. Great to have contributors all over the ground throughout the day with special mention going to Quinn Clark on 5 goals up forward and debutant Lachy Guymer showing at 17 years of age, he has a very bright future in football.

Thank you to everyone who made yesterday as special as what it was and for the large crowd cheering us on. Whitehorse away next week before we get a week off with the bye, see you out there.

Reserves

Reserves 16.13-109 FINAL 6.5-41 Ferntree Gully

In what was tipped to be a wet and windy slog – the weather gods again looked after us and we were able to enjoy another fast paced, dry and free flowing game of footy at the blood bank. We spoke of NAIDOC week and what it means to honour and wear the jumper not only for our great team mate Nikoda- but for the culture and fabric or our football club. Our first quarters have been a standout this year and yesterday was no exception. We continue to put pressure on ourselves as a group of fearing the unknown with our opposition- approaching every game as a final. Our senior led midfield group of LC, Skieny and Noons were hot early and our forward set up looked dangerous- led by our newly crowned and the refreshed cult hero the lizard (Padders). Up the other end was a one man show with their main forward (Parks) getting on the of some nice and well weighted kicks . We challenged our group to go up a gear in the last quarter and was great to see the boys really finish strong. A huge game for us next week away at Whitehorse that we can’t wait for.

Under 19’s

U19s 10.8-68 FINAL 7.8-50 The Basin Green 

On a special day at the home deck, we were lucky enough to go out and wear indigenous Guernsey’s designed by our very own Nikoda Brooking. For the first time this year, we go out and play against the Basin. Getting to play in different jumpers, gave off a positive energy amongst the group that we have not had in a while. It was exciting footy from the get go, with the 17’s really showing their talents with Sammy courageously going back with the flight, from paddy creating some creative scoring opportunities, to Neilsy dominating in the ruck all day.

The team as a whole, held structure really well across the day, where we were able to lock the ball in our forward half for a big portion of the game. John caused havoc in the middle for the opposition and was able to get the icing on the cake a couple of times throughout the day.
Credit to basin in the second half they really took it to us, and challenged the playing group. However with 24 players in our outfit, each player played there role, leading us to victory. It takes 24 blokes, and on the day, we came together as one.

The belief is growing amongst the group, and we are improving by 1% each week. We now reset and put all of our attention to Chirnside Park, who beat us by a goal after the siren in our previous encounter this year. Its lining up to be a big game, I welcome you all to come down and support. Go Bloods!

 

Round 14 sees the Seniors & Reserves meet Whitehorse Pioneers and the U19s match up against Chirnside Park – Saturday 16 July.