OLD BRIGHTON 12.8. 80 def by CAULFIELD GRAMMARIANS 12.12. 84

Goal Kickers: W. Rowsthorn 4, P. McGlashan 4, L. Tamblyn 2, B. Price, A. Ford

Best Players: P. McGlashan, M. Nelson, C. Williams, L. Tamblyn, W. Rowsthorn, A. Ford

 A relatively calm day greeted us at Brighton Beach Oval...the least breeze I have seen down there in 15 years!!! OB were, however, quite fired up after losing last week to Ormond. Captain Meredith and VC Game became the latest U19's to debut in the Seniors and we would have to work with greater intensity to cover those losses. Eight U19's in total have already played in the “Ones” this season...an unprecedented number at our club for this time of the year....and with the fine performances being put forward by the young guns, the “veterans” around the club better look out! I anticipate 5 or 6 more U19's could step up in coming weeks, some unlucky to not crack a Senior game already.

A smaller, speedier structure for our forward line was the order of the day, and the players were instructed to get the ball in quickly at all costs, even if it meant kicking into space before the leads came. Paul McGlashan has been a revelation in recent weeks, and relished the opportunity to fill the FF post. 6'2” and fast, “Glash” latched onto 3 outstanding “lace-out” passes and put us up early. Rowsthorn and Simmons were particularly busy early up forward, and Nelson was again well on top in the ruck tapouts.

OB fought back strongly and made the most of their forrays forward – their kicking at goal more accurate, and they made us pay for missed opportunities. Clay Williams was our shining light in the midfield and racked up numerous hard-ball gets. 2 goals up at half-time was reasonable given the tight contest, but 7.7 was slightly wasteful.

The boys were asked for a full 60 minutes of concentration after half-time. Slight “patchiness” was creeping into our game, with some average decision making the main concern. Kicking short to 50-50 contests as well as attempting to pick the ball up with one hand were amongst the flaws. Despite this, the players endeavour was excellent – the fierce tackling and smothering a real feature of our game. These “skills” are not easily taught, and it is a real bonus to have a group of players so willing to attack the man with such intensity. Tamblyn and Alex Ford knocked up possessions in the middle, and Ben Price latched onto the “square-up” passes in board and pumped the ball long as directed. The backline held firm, but could have made it easier on themselves with extra instruction and vocal support given to teammates. OB pounced on any half chances and made us pay on the scoreboard. ¾ time saw an even scoreline and a battle to be won.

Ford went forward and played on their extra man they had sat in the hole -  this proved decisive as Alex worked hard on his defensive skills taking timely marks, and then streamed forward giving us options in the F50. The backline including Reid, Kremmer and Allanson held tough under fire, and when Will Rowsthorn converted we hit the front. Fordie was pushed back again into the hole and took one last mark in defensive 50 and we were home! A hugely satisfying win. We identified this game as a critical one that would go a long way to assisting our finals aspirations.

Thanks to the boys who spent a lot of time on the interchange – an unusual situation as we normally make more changes, made worse by the fact the players had to fill the boundary, runner and water carrier roles also! Thanks too to Ian Mathieson who filled the team managers role then almost had a blue in the timekeepers box as the OB timekeeper attempted to stop the clock in the dying stages!!! Any extra assistance on gameday would be greatly appreciated – come and see us before the game.

Chris Mathieson
Coach U19 CGFC