CROWS ATTACK Vol 9
This week saw us travel to Faulconbridge to play the Blue Mountains Kangaroos after last week’s games had been washed out. We knew we would be having a hard game with only 14 players available on Friday with the flu taking its toll and Cain recovering from an appendix operation the week before and Oskar still out recovering from his ear op. A big blow to have these 2 on long term injury list. Our plans took another jolt with a further 2 players dropping out on the morning of the game leaving us with only 12 players. As the Kangaroos had 17 they lent us 2 players each quarter so we could play 14 on 14.
The boys were given instructions on keeping it simple by maintaining possession and looking for best options when kicking. The game started as a fairly scrappy affair with dropped balls and players struggling to pick it up due to the wet ground. We managed to kick the first goal after stamping some authority but the Blue Mountains lifted and kicked a goal. The first break saw a score of Crows 2.0.12 to Kangaroos 1.2.8.
It was obvious the boys were looking tired as over half our running players were missing. The boys were asked to put in a special effort to cover for the lost players. We started the quarter well kicking another goal to increase our lead. The boys had plenty of run downfield in attack but were slow to run back to support our defence. Brock was doing a sensational job at fullback being our last line and stop many attacking raids with his charging onto the ball and great marking. He was supported well by Blake G. The Kangaroos showed in the 2nd term they are a better team than their ladder position and kicked 2 goals to take a 1 point lead into half time.
Geoff rotated some players into the centre to give our midfield a break and change our structure at half back and half forward. The boys were also asked to lift and show that we are not a 2 or 3 player team. The results were almost immediate. The changes saw some players exposed to the midfield and they did a great job. Our forward defensive pressure put the Kangaroos backs under pressure and we managed to kick 2 goals 4 behinds. 2 of these hit the posts so we could have had 4 goals. The backs still did a great job as the Kangaroos did get the ball into their forwards but we drove them away every time.
Into the last quarter we had a 15 point lead. Another rotation of players to rest those who had been in the midfield worked well again. The boys were following our structures and plays better and the results came quickly. The boys managed to have 9 shots on goal with 5 goals and 4 behinds while keeping the Kangaroos to a lone point. An excellent defensive effort for the 2nd half with only 1 point scored. The final score was Crows 10.9.69 to Kangaroos 3.3.21. Congrats to all 12 boys, the win was a result of all the boys contributing together. Well done.
Our next game is Saturday 30TH JUNE at Clarke Oval Kearns. Arrive by 10.30am, game starts at 11.15am. As usual if you cannot make the game let John or Geoff know asap.
Will be needing assistance as usual running water, messages and someone to wash jumpers. Thanks to Mandev’s Mum for doing the jumpers the last week.
John, Geoff and Graham
Last Modified on 25/06/2012 12:37