2s

With the white picket fence reflecting a bright autumn sun and the green grass of the Uni Main reminiscent of a high quality billiards table, the scene was set for a super day of football. The Under 19’s kicked off the dew at 9.30am against the Uni Blues and, missing several big men through college rowing, were nothing short of stoic against a larger opposition, which included a regular senior player for good measure.

 

The two’s started off slowly in the first quarter, but got serious in the second, booting 5 goals to one, to go into half-time 6 goals up. In his first game at the level, Al Smith handled the pace of the game reasonably well, extracting the ball from packs like he brought a set of tongs, and was soon given a full-time minder by the opposition who was obviously given the instruction to follow him everywhere. Perhaps sitting next to him in our rooms at half time and trying to shower with him after the game may have taken the directions too literally.

 

With Rob Scarlett and Andrew Torney both enjoying a sleep-in this week to play in the later game, Hugh Symon was given the task of taking up the slack down back, and he took the weight on his not-insubstantial shoulders with honor and integrity. Lucky for Hugh, he was not in the Blacks forward line, or he may have also had Tim “Mick Battista post-peroxide” Schaeffer on his shoulders. Schaef was using anything available to climb on to take his grabs and kick his goals, finishing with five and in the best.

 

Matty “Dukes” Ablethorpe led hard and marked strongly, with Tommy Napier helping out up forward. Jimmy “Why do they call me Mordor” Mortensen managed to not get knocked out or break his nose all day, and was ferocious in the in-and-under. Jesso and LVK were very Black.

 

Coach Baz was very disappointed that the % will now dip down below a thousand, but with 66 points against in four games, things are going ok.

 

And the juggernaut rolls on…

 

 

 

Goal Kickers: T. Schaefer 5, M. Ablethorpe 3, T. Napier 2, A. Jesse 2, T. Huggins , I. Anderson
Best Players: H. Symon, J. Mortensen, T. Schaefer, A. Jesse, L. Van Kempen, T. Napier

 

1s

Things started off reasonably quickly for the Blacks, and for Dave Robbins, with 2 goals in the first five minutes. Things progressed reasonably well from there, with the Blacks four goals up at quarter time and 6 up at the half. New promotees Scotty Myers, Rob Scarlett and Andrew Torney all showed that they are right at home in the late game, coping with the increased pace and pressure without a problem. Alex Drysedale was the pick of the tall forwards, throwing his 64kg bulk around with scant regard for his own safety, booting 2.

 

Charlie Richardson is another Blacker who seems intent to provide what I like to call ‘physical pressure’, using his shoulders as battering rams to get through packs, and gave his best performance so far, linking up with his northern mate Scotty Myers (see below).

 

Dave McVilley played hard all game, tackling like a hungry man, with help from Levi Kalms on the ball.

 

 

 

Goal Kickers: D. Robbins 5, J. Kosch 3, A. Drysdale 2, J. Gaylor 2, H. Lacey, J. Foster, S. Myers, A. Else, L. Kalms, C. Richardson
Best Players: C. Richardson, A. Torney, A. Drysdale, D. McVilly, D. Robbins, L. Kalms

Goal Kickers: G. McCully 4, D. Hamilton-ho 3, N. Hawking 2
Best Players: L. Evans, T. Harper, D. Hamilton-ho, H. Taylor, G. McCully, L. Hood

As at any football club, many relationships are built on the basis of playing football together. However some relationships began long before the two players arrived at the Blacks. Two players may have schooled together, may work together, may be related through an intricate web of current and past girlfriends. The result of these “existing” relationships can be that players who have played together previously find themselves in a new team, with unfamiliar faces around them. As a consequence, when in possession, it is only natural for that player to look for a familiar face with which to share possession.

 

Below is a list of the most prolific examples of players who kick it to each other:

Dan Cos and Tom Howgate

Charlie Richardson and Scott Myers

Chris Walsh and John Kosch

Matt O’Hara and Kane Loxley

Tom Huggins and Tim Cotter

 

So next time you are watching, just keep an eye out for Walshy kicking out to Koschy, who handballs to the Tugboat, who gives off to Dingo, who passes to Huggo, who kicks to Cotter, who handballs to Matty Oh, who releases Locko, who kicks long to Chucky, who pops it over to MyStore, who kicks the goal. You won’t even realise it has happened.