Kangaroolz
Debutant
Uni Blacks vs Fitzroy
An important concept in sport is that of an even playing field. Today, this was a term used only metaphorically because the actual playing field was literally, a quagmire.
As the boys arrived, you could see the surprise on their faces. They woke to a dry day and were looking forward to the chance of playing in better conditions then they had over the last few weeks. One look at the ground and all hopes of that were dashed and they knew they were, once again, in for a hard slog.
As has become the norm, only 21 boys emerged from the portable clubroom to take the field. It is a tribute to this competition that no game is an easy one, regardless of ladder position and Uni Blacks was no exception. The first 3 quarters were an arm wrestle. Skills were compromised by the conditions and it was hard to find space. Legs must have started feeling the pain of running through a mud patch, the ball must have felt like a cannonball. We were a point down at the last break.
The 3rd quarter time address was as much a bake as Bruce has given them all year. Some of the boys just weren’t focused. He talked about all the hard work of previous weeks, the great wins, the battles against the odds. He pleaded with them to not throw it away against Uni Blacks here in this mud pit. He told them it was up to them to win it or lose it.
They chose to win it. The final quarter was exquisite. Having only kicked 6 goals to ¾ time, Fitzroy piled on 7 goals to 1. The backline, which had once again been mighty all day, were given a breather as the mids and forwards took control.. The 2 Lukes, who had been superb all day, continued their dominance. Fraser and Matters worked hard on the wings. Kai Menzies – well, I have run out of superlatives with this guy – the dreads might catch your eye but his work rate and skills keep you watching. Dylan Leech was fantastic and Joe Hill decided to stir from the slumber he had been in all day and kicked a lazy 4 goals!!
Fitzroy won by 35 pts and thanks to a washout last week now sit 2 points clear of Werribee at the top of the ladder. Next week comes the game of the year, the top of the ladder clash. In what is probably considered the biggest ask for the season, we travel over the bridge to Werribee for a 9.30am game. A 9.30 game?? We have had trouble getting everyone to a 2pm game! Wish us luck!!
An important concept in sport is that of an even playing field. Today, this was a term used only metaphorically because the actual playing field was literally, a quagmire.
As the boys arrived, you could see the surprise on their faces. They woke to a dry day and were looking forward to the chance of playing in better conditions then they had over the last few weeks. One look at the ground and all hopes of that were dashed and they knew they were, once again, in for a hard slog.
As has become the norm, only 21 boys emerged from the portable clubroom to take the field. It is a tribute to this competition that no game is an easy one, regardless of ladder position and Uni Blacks was no exception. The first 3 quarters were an arm wrestle. Skills were compromised by the conditions and it was hard to find space. Legs must have started feeling the pain of running through a mud patch, the ball must have felt like a cannonball. We were a point down at the last break.
The 3rd quarter time address was as much a bake as Bruce has given them all year. Some of the boys just weren’t focused. He talked about all the hard work of previous weeks, the great wins, the battles against the odds. He pleaded with them to not throw it away against Uni Blacks here in this mud pit. He told them it was up to them to win it or lose it.
They chose to win it. The final quarter was exquisite. Having only kicked 6 goals to ¾ time, Fitzroy piled on 7 goals to 1. The backline, which had once again been mighty all day, were given a breather as the mids and forwards took control.. The 2 Lukes, who had been superb all day, continued their dominance. Fraser and Matters worked hard on the wings. Kai Menzies – well, I have run out of superlatives with this guy – the dreads might catch your eye but his work rate and skills keep you watching. Dylan Leech was fantastic and Joe Hill decided to stir from the slumber he had been in all day and kicked a lazy 4 goals!!
Fitzroy won by 35 pts and thanks to a washout last week now sit 2 points clear of Werribee at the top of the ladder. Next week comes the game of the year, the top of the ladder clash. In what is probably considered the biggest ask for the season, we travel over the bridge to Werribee for a 9.30am game. A 9.30 game?? We have had trouble getting everyone to a 2pm game! Wish us luck!!
