CROWS ATTACK VOL 10
Round 10 saw us take on the Campbelltown Swans at their home ground at Kearns. The boys were told this would be a hard game remembering the tussles we had with Campbelltown last year. They were only 2 wins behind us and were looking to break into the top 4. We had a squad of 15 players including Ritchie who was a bit under the weather so we would need a good commitment today as we had no reserves while Campbelltown had 3.
The first quarter started with Campbelltown immediately on the attack. You could tell they were a well drilled team and we were in for a good challenge. It was only some great last line defence that kept them scoreless. We soon started to get the ball moving forward and for about 5 minutes we put pressure on their defence but some wayward goal kicking saw us only kick 3 behinds. The tide changed and Campbelltown came down field and kicked a minor score but followed this up with the first goal. Another behind saw us go to the first break 0.4.4. to 1.1.7.
We reminded the boys of our tactics discussed before the game as they were not following what was discussed. Unfortunately nearly the whole team began to play as if they had forgotten everything we had worked on or instructed them to do. Graham being the runner for the day was running out messages and getting frustrated as the boys moved to where he directed only to wander off elsewhere after a few minutes. Campbelltown completely upstaged us for the next 15 mins and one of the smallest players on the field had a day out kicking 3 running goals as we let him roam free. The only bit of bright play was a sick Ritchie going hard at the ball, earning a free and kicking a great goal from around 20m out. At the halftime break Campbelltown lead 6.3.39 to 1.4.10.
We were a bit lost at what to say. We asked for some commitment to get the ball first and to stay in position and with your opposing player. We started to see an improvement in this quarter and Campbelltown all of a sudden didn’t have the open spaces of the 2nd quarter. While we didn’t get the opportunity to put on any points we held Campbelltown to 1 goal 1 behind. This saw the score 7.4.46 to 1.4.10 with 1 quarter left.
We set the boys the challenge of winning the last half of the game and a chance to earn back some pride. We made a couple of changes to mix up the centre and through in some of our smaller players against the taller Campbelltown boys. The last quarter was the most entertaining of the day, (not only because we outscored them) but because we started to play like a team and we made getting the ball our 1st objective. We kicked to 2 goals to 1 behind to outscore them in the 2nd half by 12 to 8. If we had shown this commitment in the 2nd quarter the game could have had a thrilling end.
The final score was Campbelltown 7.5.47 to Crows 3.4.22 a loss of 25pts.
After this loss we maintain 3rd place with Campbelltown moving into 4th place one win behind us. Emu Plains Maroon and Penrith follow and will be trying to move past 4th and 3rd and into the finals.
Training resumes Monday 9th July. Our next game is Saturday 14TH JUNE at Cook Park St Marys. Arrive by 9.45am for PHOTOS at 10am. Info on photos will be handed out at training. 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 Corey’s Mum for doing the jumpers after Blue Mountains and Mandev’s Mum for doing the jumpers the this week.
John, Geoff and Graham
Last Modified on 02/07/2012 13:26