This week saw the start of junior finals and the last round of Thirds football while we had some crucial match up in the 19’s and seniors.

The weekend kicked off with our final Friday night Thirds game of the season. Out final match up was against near neighbours Westmeadows and what a night it was. A man normally seen serving behind the bar was instead seen serving it up in the forward line and instead of pulling beer Arthur was pulling on the boots. We got the fast start with the breeze with Youssef kicking 3 goals early to open up a handy 19 point lead. Westies hit back with 4 goals in the 2nd term that saw us with a slim 2 point lead at the main change. The premiership quarter proved to be the one where Arty would put his goal of the year contender in but unfortunately it was scored at the far end where the boisterous local crowd were unable to see Arty weave his magic. We went in with a 24 point lead at 3/4 time and held them at bay in the final term to run out winners by 13 points. Given it was our first year of thirds it has been a great season from the boys. We finished 7th – just one spot behind last years Grand finalists Keilor. A great way to end the season and I kno morning!

The first game on Saturday saw the Under 19’s in a must win clash against Glenroy away. Glenroy had first use of the breeze but were unable to hurt us on the scoredboard, kicking 2.6 for the quarter to lead us by 10 points at the first change. The second term saw our boys kick 6 goals to 1 to hold a handy 23 point half time lead. during the 3rd quarter we had opened up more of a lead before the game was called off following some unsportsmanlike conduct from Glenroy players. The umpires were full of praise for our boys for the way they conducted themselves on the day. Ryan led the way in front of goal kicking 4 while Kyle and Daniel Cassar chimed in with 2 each.

The from a forfeit so the two’s got to rest up for next week. The boys remain second on the ladder and just need to keep wining to try and snatch top spot away from Jacana

In seniors action, we had a good win over the Devils following a bit of a first half scare. Kicking into the breeze we were unable to hit the scoreboard in the first term while KP added 4.1. Kicking with the breeze at our backs in the second quarter the curse of the past few weeks returned where we kicked 3.5 for the quarter while the Devils added 1.1 with the home side going into half time holding a surprise 9 point lead. A bit of a half time spray from Travis did the trick as the boys came out and took it up to KP, losing the quarter by only a point but crucially holding them to only one goal for the term. Down by 10 points at 3/4 time and with the breeze out our back our boys put the foot down and got the job down. Wayward kicking was again an issue for us as we kicked 5.8 for the term but held them scoreless to run out winners by 28 points. The highlight of the day was the last quarter move of regular full back Kajan to the forward line where he was able to kick a crucial goal. All the boys got around him following a traumatic week in which he lost his father and showed Kaj what he meant to the entire Roxy family. Hayden (who we all thought had his leg amputated earlier in the season) and Tumay kicked 2 each while Kaj, Adrian, Harley, Carlos, Jamie and H were named in the best. Tim (AKA Karate Kid) also got forward to kick another goal and may have turned himself into a goal kicking wingman late in the season!

On Sunday we had our Under 11’s and Under 17’s in action in the first round of junior finals.

Under 11’s were in action against Maribyrnong Park Football Club, a team we’d beaten both times we played them this season the the home and away rounds. Unfortunately for the 11’s, the loss of Zein and Mayz to injury and unavailability finally c down the Lions. We had the breeze in the first term but were unable to make best use of it as we kicked 3 behinds for the term and saw them kick a goal into the breeze in the last 30 seconds of the quarter. We were able to hold them in the second term only allowing the one goal but were again unable to put the score on the board. Despite battling the game out with Luke mopping up almost everything that came his way at half back and BJ working hard in the middle we were unable to hurt them on the scoreboard and ended up on the wrong side of the result. The work Tim has done with this group over the past 3 seasons has been brilliant with finals the past two years but we couldn’t quite get the job done. Time to regroup and go again next year. Those stepping up to 13s we wish you all the best while we have the new crop coming up to 11’s to help push this group again.

Under 17’s was the last game of the round and what a cracker this game was. After losing to Keilor Football Club last week, we again played the same opponent in our knockout final today. We jumped out to an early lead kicking 4.4 to 3 straight goals in the first term. The second term saw Keilor hit back strongly kicking 4.2 to 2 straight which saw them just up at the half. The scoreline was reversed in the third term as we kicked 4.2 to their two goals and held a 10 point lead at the last change. Our boys were magnificent in the last quarter, holding them to 1.3 and kicking 2.1 ourselves to run out winners by 14 points and progress to the Prelim Final next Sunday.

Next weeks games will be as follows:

Saturday starts at Lakeside at 9:30am for the final home game of the season where the Under 19’s have a CRUCIAL game against 3rd place Hillside Sharks Football Club. Our boys are 4th but level on 44 points with 5th place Moonee Valley. The Fog travel to top of the Westmeadows so a win for us and a loss for The Fog could put us a game clear in 4th…..absolutely vital to get the points this week boys with our final game to second place East Keilor the following week.

Ressies and Seniors are in action at home against Burnside Heights Football Club. The Reserves will be looking for a win over the currently winless Bears and hoping Moonee Valley can knock off Jacana to send us to the top of the ladder. Eyes on the prize boys with top spot there for the taking if we don’t slip up

Seniors will be looking for revenge against the Bear-Force after our shock loss to them away earlier in the year. We are playing for pri show the rest of the league what they can expect from us in 2018 and get the job done on Saturday in front of our adoring fans for the final home game of the season.

The Under 17’s will be playing their Prelim Final against Oak Park but the time and venue are yet to be decided. Look out for more details as they come to hand.

This weeks wrap is bought to you by the team at Mowers and More. If you are looking for some new gardening tools or need your mower/chainsaw/whipper snipper serviced, get on down and see the team at Mowers and More in Campbellfield. And remember to tell them Roxy sent you!

Until next week, it’s goodnight from the Magpies nest!e in Campbellfield. And remember to tell them Roxy sent you!

Until next week, it’s goodnight from the Magpies nest!