YR 10 FOOTY REPORT

Nothing seems to have changed with the North Beach 10s with regard to personnel, but boy this team is improving each time I see them.

Spies tell me that the boys have been terribly slow starters the last couple of games and in a galactic masterstroke of planning First officer Spock (GF) ,Cling On (DH),Chief Medical Officer Leonard Mccoy (MA) and Engineer Scotty(BG) secretly devised a pre match plan to fire the boys up,without the approval of the Ships Commander James T. Kirk (CD).

Yes, as they sipped a quiet Saurian Brandy or 2 after training  on Thursday night it was decided that Scotty would engineer the pre match warm up by bringing his mits down to the game, having the boys take turns at sparring with him as he repeatedly biffed them around their ears for their futile efforts. Got to say, what a result! Out the boxes like the Apollo rockets and 6 goals to none up at quarter time against a very capable opposition.

The assistants at North Beach still seem to be harshly judged by Captain Kirk for mine, repeatedly referred to as “part timers” amongst other things whilst they still bring fantastic programs and results to their Captain. A real quality outfit and this seems to be lost on coach Dawson .

Got to say the whole warm up program very nearly went amiss when coach Dawson had a spar with Scotty, the crew from the Starship Enterprise were extremely worried as this whipped Captain Kirk into a frenzy that saw him more excited than his players that he was mentoring. First Officer Spock saved the day as he handcuffed  Captain Kirk to Bridge Control and waited for the commander to settle down, before being released for the first bounce.

I am at pains to share this with you but I must say that Coach Dawson dida fantastic job of laying out his pre match plan and rules for the day, specifically tailored for the conditions the game was about to be played in.

Only problem was Medical Officer Dr Mike Allen had a lovely young assistant for the day who is studying in the physio area and is helping out with injuries, strapping, rub downs etc and as Casey noticed the coach was having a hard time to get an audience to address pre match because he couldn’t get his players out of the medical room. Suddenly a virus from another planet had infected the boys spreading muscle soreness, strains and tears through the entire camp just 45 minutes before the game.

Equally as quickly it appeared to be cured once leaving the medical post, I’ve got to say edge of your seat stuff!

As i looked down from my commentary position at the North Beach coaches box prior to the first bounce, I could lip read the voiceover introduction from coach Dawson that he was reciting to his support crew..remember team..

YOUTH FOOTBALL, ITS A FIVE YEAR MISSION TO EXPLORE STRANGE OPPOSITION CLUBS, CONTAINING VARIOUS CIVILIZATIONS AND BOLDLY GO WHERE NO PLAYER HAS GONE BEFORE, IN OUR QUEST FOR VICTORY.

Inspirational stuff from the fearless leader, made the hairs in my nose stand up.

So as I said earlier what a fantastic start from North Beach as they piled on 6 opening quarter goals.

North Beach’s midfield was dominant with great opening quarters from Stratt, Mulies, Chessells, and Adam V,  all of which kicked goals whilst resting forward and each had dominant 4 quarter performances.

Casey was back to his best in the wet conditions with 2 first quarter goals and ended up with 4 for the game ,which saw him take the coaches award for best player this week. Brad worked very hard at centre half foward all day, fed out some good handballs to his midfielders who were running hard and pushing up and took some top grabs despite the wet, windy conditions.The pair were an excellent example of hard working forwards all day.

The second quarter saw Quinns kick inaccurately and over use the ball a bit as they managed just 2 goals with the wind and to North Beaches credit they managed to kick 2 goals into it with a fierce attack on the ball and hard running.

Matt was hard at it and dominated his wing all day and had sure ball handling and great positioning throughout. A fine bounceback performance seeing him in the best few players for North Beach.

North Beach defended doggedly and Liam “The Rock” Barton had a good serviceable game, with the Flu if you don’t mind, at Centre Half Back. Seamus did a top job at full back, to limit the impact of their very talented full forward who kicked a bag against us last time we met.

Just before half time North Beach’s best to that stage Cody appeared to suffer a Vulcan Nerve Pinch and was benched for the remainder of the game with a nasty corked thigh. Brilliant hard working half from Cody with strong tackling, great clearance work and some classy goals up forward and the boys will hope is recovered next week, for the Wanneroo mission.

Daws had a quiet game on his wing and after starting the season strongly appears to be going through a low confidence period which happens to most players at some stage . No doubt he will bounce back in the weeks ahead, starting with a strong attack on the ball.

Jacko who has had some terrific games this year probably wasn’t suited by the conditions and had a down day, but will bounce back next week with more freedom to run.

Half time and Captain Kirk is wrapped with his teams first half as they turn 6 goals up.

Then things go astray in  the first 6 or 7 minutes of the third quarter as it is dominated by Quinns but fortunately they kick points into the wind instead of goals. Aiden who was playing terrific tough “get the ball forward at all costs” footy in the middle gets a nasty ankle injury and is carried off. Medico Dr Allen is flat out as usual as he tells Aiden he’s looking at 3 weeks or so on the sidelines. Stratts quad is sore as he goes to the bench and North Beach’s squad of 25 is reduced to 18 fit players. Its starting to look a question of can the boys hang on, or Cling On… pardon the Pun.

North Beach wake up again and kick 4 goals late in the quarter with direct not pretty ,but effective footy.

Jayden and Big Boy Bailey rucked well jumping hard and winning some great taps in a Beam Me Up Scotty performance from each of them.Jayden is improving rapidly and winning balls around the ground now and Bailey is looking good at Full Forward. Took a couple of nice marks but just found it hard to convert in the windy conditions.

Riley and Ryan tried hard which is great to see consistently this year and they will get better rewards on a less scrappy day.

Tanui was very good in defense all day and can do even better if he continues to play with intensity and work hard. Alik was solid as usual and probably enjoyed the conditions as he relishes a scrap and contest each week.

Reon although injured for all but 2 games  has benefited tremendously from the off season supplements program supplied by those Alien Cretins at Essendon in deal done with the North Beach Brains trust.

Reon is playing very well when he gets on the park these days and just needs an injury free run to become a very handy defender indeed.

Owen played in variuos roles on the day in a serviceable performance and is always working hard to improve his game.

Justin who has been playing some nice footy had a crook back was forced to be benched and watched the game out with a few others,but needs to get his back better for the next time he plays.

 

So North Beach have a goaless last quarter whilst holding Quinns to 2 goals and win comfortably

12.16 TO 4.12.

Coach Dawson winds the mission up with a post match summary player by player and is very happy with the boys effort and application of the days tactics.

To me Quinns were a  talented side but played too much indirect footy and simply didn’t work anywhere near as hard as the boys from North Beach.

Whilst we are on the Space Theme here at The Starship Enterprise let me reflect on a favorite joke in the Confetti Household made up by my good self.

Mrs Confetti and I were out one hot starry night with our then five year old son Dennis Confetti JNR walking  along the beach. It was a hot night and the Confetti family decided to disrobe and dip our noses in the water. Post swim we went for a walk Indian file along the beach to dry off, with Mrs Confetti walking in front, myself in the middle and Junior bringing up the rear. We were all stargazing and speculating about the planets when junior  excitedly squealed “Dad! Dad I can see URANUS! I simply (in my most velvety commentary voice) looked downwards and said, “I know son, its alright I can see MAARS too.

 

Anyway I’ll sign off till next time I get down to watch the boys from North Beach Play .

 

Regards

Dennis Confetti