Home  2008 Match Reports Round 6 Seniors vs. Old Camberwell
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Round 6 Seniors vs. Old Camberwell |
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How long is it since we played in these conditions? Probably at least three seasons since we participated in one where it rained all day.
As we later found out, Old Camberwell restructured their line-up slightly and included some heavier bodied players. Maybe we would have if we felt we had any worth a place but why discard some of the ‘slighter’ built lads given they would all have been the U19’s who did not disgrace themselves anyway!
It was simply not a good start to the game and two quick goals to Camberwell’s key forward allowed him to make his only contribution to the game, but set the set for the relatively easy 7 goals they kicked in the first term. As someone correctly said to me after the game, why wouldn’t players realise it was going to be a ‘down and dirty’ style of game and simply throw themselves into the fray at ground level at the first opportunity. Instead, we had experienced players running on top of the ground waiting for the ball to bounce up to them; Hey, it was never going to happen! Fortunately we won enough ball to get it to our forwards three times for goals to Evo and Slev(2) and we were not out of it at quarter time, despite a four goal deficit.
The second quarter was the shattering one as we managed only 2 behinds while they kicked another 4 majors. It had been a very feeble effort and to all and sundry, we looked like we were about to experience another ‘belting’. Obviously the players felt some pride and outscored Camberwell comfortably to be in with a chance at three quarter time. Wij was leading by example (I should have excluded him from the slur of ‘top of the ground running players’ in the first term) and Gamey certainly placed his body on the line and won some great possessions. The line-up had been altered and Darcy made the most of opportunities up forward to kick 2 for the term while Slevo added another one and Sunny became more prominent. What a pity we had not made more of the opportunities that Nobby presented from his good ruck work. As I expected Stormy also lifted the work rate and generally, our supporters had something to encourage them not to retreat to a dryer, warmer place! Great to see Cal still present and to be prepared to run his opponent around. By now Andy Laws and the other back six were in repelling mood. At the final break, 12.9 to 7.8 deficit suggested a slight chance for us.
The final quarter was one where a couple of opportunities could have been taken to really pressure the fast slowing ‘Wellers but went begging although Slevo kicked his fourth and Cal his first. It was, in truth, a very encouraging sign when one considers what happened in previous rounds when we had been well down at half time and the commitment vastly superior with Camberwell kicking only their second goal for the half but enough points in reserve to win 13.11 to 9.10. I fully agreed with Cat’s comments after the game; yes it would have been easy to congratulate everyone on the gutsy second half but why avoid what was a poor effort in the first half!
We are young, we are light in those conditions but let’s understand that maximum effort has to be applied earlier in the game when you set the standard for the day, young or more experienced players must understand this.
I’m pleased we play St Bernards this week because it is the perfect opportunity for a very positive response and an indication to all and sundry that we do acknowledge that we are in survival mode at this point in time.
Geoff Reilley
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Next Week
Next match: 2009.
Leading Goalkickers
Seniors
Slevison 46
Carboni 22
C. Sinclair 18
Reserves
Poulter 27
McCahon 11
Kalaja 9
Under 19's
McGlashan 43
C.Sinclair 31
A. Ford 16
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