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A visit to the reigning Division 4 Premiers had many questions needing answering, as Chirnside Park were a completely unknown opponent to the throng of Hawka supporters who made their way down to Kimberley Park for Round 1.
Under 18’s
The day was grey and there was a smattering of rain about the place as the record run of 123 consecutive days above 20 degrees ended in Melbourne. The Under 18’s had been impressive in the practice matches but this was the first time Coach McKenzie would front up for premiership points with a team that resembled little form 2009.
The boys started slowly with Chirnside dominant early and it took about 5 minutes for the first goal of the season to be registered Chirnside. And that was just enough to get the boys going as the midfield took control and asserted it’s authority. Quick clearances from Sam D’Argenio saw Al Pavey take some nice grabs leading up from CHF and running players such as Lachie Watson, Nathan Watson, Hassan Milaki and Malcolm MacGilvray-Smith put significant pressure on the Chrinside Park backline. The boys took control of the game and by ¼ time had a handy break.
The second quarter was all Boronia as the boys handed out a lesson in team football combining nicely and using the first options continuously. The half back line was particularly strong and the work horse ruckman Twiggy Krenn dominated the centre bounces giving Boronia first use of the ball. It was Boronia by 6 goals at ½ time and the challenge gone from the game.
The ¾ quarter was repeat of the second, with Boronia dominant all over the ground and not giving Chirnside a look in with their defensive accountability and attacking, running football. Chirnside, undefeated last year in 18’s didn’t like the lesson being handed to them and became a bit narky in the last stanza with some pretty disappointing off the ball incidents. However, the boys stuck to playing football and ran out easy 63 point winners in the end. The most pleasing aspect of the game was that every player made a contribution.
Goal Kickers: M. McGillivray-Smith 4, S. D'Argenio 3, L. Watson 2, D. Tyrrell 2, T. Vanvugt 2, D. MacIsaac
Best Players: J. Kiker, S. D'Argenio, M. McGillivray-Smith, L. Watson, H. Milaki, J. Mueller
Reserves
Coach Drew O’Hare had an early call up to Maternity with son Lincoln James being born at around 10 am at 7 pound, 11 ounces, so the Ressies drew the short straw and were coached by Dave McNamara for the game.
As always, Round 1 nerves were a big part of the first quarter of the game, however the systems and structures were working, if a little scratchily, and the side was playing some committed football. Naffa Dwyer was a standout up forward in the quarter and Jess Bolton was dominant through the midfield. It was an OK start that showed a lot of promise for the next 3 quarters, with Boronia taking a 14 point lead at ¼ time.
The second quarter was a shemozzle with Boronia allowing Chirnside to take control of the stoppages and dictate how the game would be played. The team had underestimated the commitment of Chirnside Park and were doing just enough to get by and all organization had gone, leaving a few individuals to hold the leaky boat together. Jess Bolton was again strong in the middle and was ably supported by Ravo on his wing. 2 Yellow cards for the half didn’t have the stand-in coach in good humor come half time, with the lead reduced to a solitary goal.
The half time spray (rated as 90% on the Drewspitometer) was predictable to wake the players from the complacency that cost them several games last year and allowed Chirnside Park back into the game. The focus in the third quarter was to be on disciplined play and getting back to the structures that work. It was the young guys that stood up in this quarter with Jordie Veness at half forward becoming prominent and Luke Leeson getting his hands on the ball at the stoppages keeping Boronia in the game. Paul Veltri was swung to Full Forward to provide a marking option with good effect and the discipline returned to the game. The lead was reduced to a solitary point at ¾ time and the real challenge was put in front of team, to stick at it and believe in what we were doing.
The last quarter saw Boronia take the initiative from the 1st bounce with quick ball movement and direct, accurate kicking resulting in 4 goals in 9 minutes and effectively snuffing out the contest. Paul Veltri presented well at FF ending with 4 goals, and Ash Johnston’s last quarter through the middle of the ground was inspirational. In the end a respectable 33 point win that could have, and should have been much greater with 18 players in the side with 1’s experience.
The performance of Brad Kendall at full back needs a mention of its own. Up against Dave Mazins a former Div 1 100 goal a season FF, Fang was only beaten in one contest. Sure Mazins kicked five, 2 from relayed frees and one from an umpiring error, one from a lace out pass and lastly, one where he was just too big for Fang to reach. Outstanding effort Fang against a quality opponent.
Goal Kickers: P. Veltri 4, J. Veness 3, J. Bolton 2, D. Shiels 2, N. Dwyer, D. Jamieson, M. Sutherland
Best Players: D. Ravenhorst, L. Leeson, B. Kendell, N. Dwyer, J. Bolton
Seniors
Nine new or returning players in the side, a Premiership Flag unfurled in your face and looking to get a clean sweep on the day really had some pressure on the 1’s as the first bounce signaled the start of hostilities for 2010.
The 1st quarter was intense and hard footy with neither side able to get the ascendency, although at times it looked as if Boronia could break the game open only for poor disposal to let them down when it mattered most. All 3 Chirnside Park goals came directly from turnovers in the corridor and it was more a case of Boronia’s errors more than Chirnsides play that kept Chirnside in the game at ¼ time. A 2 point lead was all that was in it.
The second quarter was all about pressure and Chirnside Parks new recruits Murphy and Monk from Healesville became dominant at the stoppages setting up some excellent transitions from the back half.
Matt Buzinskas, Nathan Pope and Rich Anstey were the only players actually winning their positions while everyone else was in a real battle with pressure football being applied by Chirnside on every line. Chirnside took a deserved 9 point lead into half time having been cleaner with here disposal and using the ball far more effectively. Hamstring injuries saw Full Forward Marc Mollica gone for the day and CHF Matt McCormack struggling to move freely.
The third quarter was intense and Coach Peter Bennett had his hands full as more injuries and poor disposal saw Chirnside Park break away to lead by as much as 32 points during the quarter. Jim Reid was given the tagging job on Murphy which he did with good effect and the switch to a smaller, running forward line opened things up enough to see a couple of late goals kicked to get us back in with a sniff. Chirnside Park by 18 points at the Oranges break.
The last quarter saw the beast unleashed. Dean Grice, had done some nice things up forward kicking a couple of goals but now it was his turn to take centre stage. With a tiring Chirnside Park midfield, Grice was outstanding from the 1st bounce of the quarter picking up 11 possessions, 2 goals, 4 clearances and 3 crunching tackles.
He wasn’t on his own though and big Rich Anstey ran the entire quarter on the ball giving us first use and providing plenty of protection around the stoppages as well. Others lifted too, and all of sudden Chirnside Park had stopped to a crawl and the pre-season work came to the fore with a 9 goal 4 point final term. Recognition needs to go to the back six and Gotchy and Scotty McKenzie who got back late in the game to help out, after Fletch had been KO’d, together with Popey Brandner and Ben Robertson on debut, “The Rock” Stifler were under incredible pressure all day long. Stand up job boys!
The pick for me of the new recruits though was Dave Steen, who was superb all day long picking up many touches and winning so much of his own ball in the air – a real standout performance. To all the new boys in the team, welcome to what is going to be a very competitive season with no easy games at all. The last quarter showed the capabilities of a very good side to finish so strongly against an opposition that I admit I certainly underestimated and who will win more games than they lose this season.
Goal Kickers: M. Buzinskas 4, D. Grice 4, N. Allen 2, L. Bridges 2, M. McCormack 2, R. McNamara 2, M. Mollica, B. Mills, J. Reid, B. Robertson
Best Players: M. Buzinskas, R. Anstey, D. Grice, B. Robertson, N. Allen, D. Steen
Huge game next week against North Ringwood who were solid winners at home today. The new surface is a treat and with a 25 degree forecast, this game will really show us just how we stand this year.
Go Hawka. |
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