On Sunday the Under 9s were away to Moonee Valley in their last game of the year and the improvement they have shown under their coach Scott has been immense. For most of the kids coming straight out of Auskick (or not having played ever before) there was so much to learn but Scott’s patience and advice has seen them come on so much and it’s a credit to the work he and the parents put in with this side. We look forward to having you all back next year either in Under 9s or those stepping up to Under 11’s and the full oval! Great stuff kids.

The Under 11’s were at home to Tullamarine and looking to tune up for finals which they will be playing next week. The game started without umpires (who apparently got lost!) with a parent from each side umpiring the first quarter, and maybe it was that which threw us off as the winless Demons kicked 2 goals early in the first quarter but Johnny managed to get a crucial goal into the strong breeze to keep the margin to one goal at the first change. In the second term we had the wind at our backs but, in what is becoming a theme in the wrap these days, we wasted our chances in front of goal kicking 1.4 for the term to lead by 4 points at half time – Potter kicking a beauty! In the third term we defended brilliantly but one lapse in concentration saw them get a goal and they had the lead as we entered the final term – 3 straight to 2.4. Poor conversion dogged us again in the final term as we again added 1.4 with a goal to our leading goal kicker – "The Raging Bull’ Huss and we held the visitors scoreless to secure a close 8 point win. Three wins on the trot now and some great form for finals! Huss, Johnny and Zak with the goals while best were Cooper, Mazen, Carlos, Ehab, Khaled and Potter. We finished 4th with six wins so a great effort from the entire team. Finals now next week boys so time to switch on at training and listen to the coaches! It’s an elimination final so no slip ups from here on.

The Under 13s were up next against Avondale Heights and looking to end their season on a high at the end of what has been a difficult season. The Heights roared out of the blocks and the first term was the difference come the end of the game as the jumped out to a 5 goal lead – 1 behind to 5.3. We stopped the bleeding a little in the second term but could not get on the board ourselves, the quarter a real arm wrestle with just 4 points being added by Avondale. We still had trouble getting the ball forward in the third quarter and could not score but held the visitors to 1.3 but it would be a massive mountain to climb if we were to come back. We threw everything at them and finally got on the board, adding 2.1 for the term as they added 2.2 which saw us end the season with a disappointing 46 point loss. Disappointing to see some of the 13s boys not bother to show up for the final game of the year when their team mates needed them but thanks to the Under 11s kids for filling in their spots and helping us field a team. Great work as well to the leaders on the field on the day who gave it everything for the side. Come back bigger and better next year boys!

The Youthies were u next taking on Moonee Valley and looking to lock away top spot for the finals. We got off to the PERFECT start with the breeze, booting 6.3 to 1 goals and held a 33 point quarter time lead. We failed to kick a goal against the breeze but defended well only allowing two goals and the lead was 21 at half time – 6.4 to 3.1. After half time we turned in the jets and held the Fog scoreless while adding 5.4 and we’d blown it out to 55 points at the final change, top spot in our back pockets if we could go one more quarter. The Valley hit back with the breeze adding 4.4 but we kicked 2 goals and ended up with a 39 point win. That win put us top of the ladder and gives the girls the bye in the first week of finals. Since the split in Youth Girls to two divisions, we’ve won every game apart from the game which was abandoned due to weather a few weeks ago. Alana led the goalkickers with 5, Cookie kicked 3, Ash and Shelby 2 while Rose kicked 1. Our best were Alana, Sam, Jess, Macca, Janine and Jasmine. Enjoy the week off girls and lets’ hope the others smash each other in the first week of finals!

The final Junior home and away game at Roxy for the year saw the Under 17s take on Hillside. Like the 13s game, the Sharks jumped us early and shot away to a 5 goal lead with the aid of the breeze – 5.4 to no score. We clawed our way back into it in the second but poor conversion saw us kick 3.4 to 1.2 and we were 20 points down at half time. Against the breeze, there wasn’t much we could do to stop Hillside piling on 5.4 again while we added only a point and found ourselves down by 53 going into the final term. We had a crack, but a wasteful 4.5 saw us squander our opportunity to put pressure on as they added 3.3 and ended up winning 7.10-52 to 14.13-97. A disappointing end to the year for the boys who tried so hard but just came up short a few times. Eyad kicked 3 while there were singles for Alex, Hamdou, Taycan and Billy. The best were Alex, Tay, Beany, Dogga (with those two it sounds like a ressies half back line!), James and Mustafa. See you all again next season boys! Keep training with the 19’s if you want to get some more footy in over the next few weeks!

The only away team on Sunday was the Under 15s away to Aberfeldie and what a game that turned out to be. We got off to a good start, leading by 7 points over the Gorillas at quarter time before they hit back hard in the second kicking 3 goals to one behind, the scores reading 4.2 to 2.2 at half time. The hosts piled on the pressure again in the third term and kicked away, leading by 15 points at the final change. Our boys dug deep knowing that a win would secure them a finals berth but we came up just short, kicking 3.1 to 1.4 in the final quarter to lose by one straight kick – 7.7 to 6.7. We had all single goal kickers on the day with Nathan, Ramzy, Tay, Billy, Isshac and Arif getting on the board. Jason’s best were Zac, Ahmad, Hanschy, Emir, Steve and Terrone. The loss meant we had to wait on word of the result from the Burnside/Keilor Park match up and luckily for us the Bears beat the Devils by enough that it forced their % below ours so we snuck into 5th place and get to play finals! Go out there and turn it on this week boys. We know we have the firepower up forward to get the job done!

On Sunday, the Under 11’s and Under 15’s will be playing finals!

It would be great to get as many of the roxy faithful to the games as possible….the kids would walk a little taller if we have a big crowd and some senior players amongst them! The Under 11s will play Airport West at Canning Street Reserve in Avondale Heights at 9:45 on Sunday morning while the Under 15’s play West Coburg at Jacana at 12:30. The Youthies earn the bye having finished top.