This week we had some really big games that were going to start shaping seasons and tell us a story of where we were at in most divisions.

As usual in 2021, The Thirds kicked the weekend off with a Friday night game as they took on Hillside away at Shark Park. Our recent struggle with numbers turning up on game day continued as the boys were restricted to naming only 17 players meaning we played short against a full strength Sharks side. That numerical advantage was clear to all as we struggled to hit the scoreboard in the first half while the hosts had kicked 10.15 to lead by 75 points at half time. Macca kicked out only score of the game when he goaled in the third term but the hosts again added another 5 goals to load by 105 points at 3/4 time. Our boys kept trying but to no avail as the Sharks added another 5 goals to nothing to win 10.24-144 to 1.0-6 Macca kicked the only goal and was named in the best alongside Wardy, Azza, Steve, Ethan and the VolKaino! If anyone reading this would like to have a kick, or know someone who does, come down to training this week or contact Naz and help us get the numbers up to ensure we can get a bench together and start to get the numbers up.

On Saturday morning the Under 18.5 Youthies had their game against East Sunbury but we were again let down by the number of players available. While we were able to get the game underway, we had to call the game off just after half time when we had some injuries and were below the number of girls required to play. The girls from East Sunbury were ahead at the time but the girls we had on the ground had given everything while they were out there and it’s heartbreaking to see the game have to get called off due to lack of numbers. Those in the best this week were Stacey, Caeli, Erica, Ellie and Prousey. Again, like the Thirds, if you know any girls interested in having a kick and looking to get into footy, let us know and we will pass the details on to Scotty.

The next Saturday game saw Kaine’s Krew in the Ressies take on Sunbury Kangaroos at The Pouch. We got off to a solid start, taking an early lead though the Kangas inaccuracy cost them as they kicked 0.3-3 to our 1.1-7. The Kanga’s hit the front in the second quarter as they kicked 3.2 for the term and held us to just the two behinds, leaving us with a 14 point deficit at the half. In the 3rd term the home team remained on top as they held us scoreless while adding 1.2 so at the final break we had to make up 22 points in the final term. Our boys kept pushing until the final siren and while we added 3.4 in the final term, the Roo’s kicked 1 goal to scrape home by that single goal – 5.7-37 to 4.7-31. Young Gun Eyad kicked two while we had singles added by Micky G and Mazin. In the best were Tilly, the Ellis boys Andy and Blake, Micky G, Eyad and Timmy.

The Senior side was up next and to say this one was a close game all day was an understatement, With the knowledge the Roo’s had pushed Tulla all the way the previous week, we knew we could not take the hosts lightly. It was a tight game early as defences from both sides got on top with the scores tied 1.3-9 apiece as we entered the first break. After quarter time the hosts got on top but were hurt by inaccuracy as they added 1.6 to our 2 straight goals so at half time it was once again all square – 2.9-21 to 3.3-21. After the half time break we were able to bust the game open somewhat as we opened the most sizeable break of the game, kicking 4.4 to 2.2 to open up a 14 point lead at the final change. We knew Sunbury would come hard in the final quarter and that they did, kicking 3.3 but we were able to also add 3.1 which meant we were able to take a 12 point win home – 7.14-56 to 10.8-68. Our second straight away win and a great effort again from our boys who have come out of the COVID break playing some good footy. Matty did the main damage up forward booting 4, while Barney also chimed in with 2 and single goals came from the boots of Stumpy, Andy, Ahmed and Raff. In the best were Cappa, Matty, Barn, Fish, Buddha and Zac

On Sunday morning the Under 14s were up in another must win game against West Coburg. We kicked with the breeze behind us in the first term and used it to full effect, kicking 3.2-20 to 1 behind to take a 19 point lead into half time. We knew the breeze would be a factor in the second term and tried some changes to counter it but ended up giving up the lead as we went into half time – 3.2-20 to 3.3-21 having given up control around the ball. We got back on top again with the breeze in the third but were wasteful, kicking 2.4 but crucially, just before the break we conceded a goal against the breeze as the Burgers went coast to coast to kick a great goal meaning our lead was just 9 points as we entered the final term. Against the breeze we knew it was going to be tough to hold on but Mada asked the boys for one massive effort and promised if they kicked 2 goals they would win the game. Our boys answered the call perfectly, booting two goals straight to 2.3 which meant we were on the right side of a 6 point win! Johnny kicked three goals from midfield, Huss A kicked 2 and Raging Bull and “Hollywood” Potter kicked one each. Mitch was immense down back and was in the best, along with Boodhi, Sal, Johnny, milestone man Ehab in game 50 and Ahmed A. The win moves us above Abers into 4th and only a game off third.

The 16s were the final game of the round against Greenvale and this was another cracking game, and continued the theme of 6 point margins following the Reserves and 14 results. We again kicked with the breeze and got off to a good start, kicking 2.1 to no score to lead by 13 points but we knew we had to keep going if we wanted to win. The Jets got back into it kicking 2.2 but we were on the right side of a 100 metre penalty and a double goal to kick 2 goals and still hold an 11 point margin at half time. After half time Rob’s lads kicked 3.1 to 1.1 and looked to be going well with a lead of 23 points as we entered the final quarter. Unfortunately for our boys, things clicked for the Jets late as they added 5 goals straight (including 2 from outside 50!) to our 1 behind. Zein was awarded a free kick 30 metres out on the final siren, but unfortunately kicking into a stiff wind, his kick fell short of tying the game up, meaning the visitors won by a goal – 7.3-45 to 8.3-51. It was a cruel end for the boys who looked like winners all day. Keona and Amir kicked 2 each while Nasser, Karim, Eggy and Zein each kicked one. In the best were Chaddy, Keona, Karim, Roddy, Nasser and Zein. Chin up boys, it was a great effort all day and you were unlucky to at least not walk away with 2 points.

Next week the round starts with the Thirds in action at The Nest on Friday night against Pascoe Vale. On Saturday morning the Youthies are in action against Hillside at Shark Park while the Ressies and seniors are at home at the Nest playing against West Coburg. On Sunday, the Under 14s face another crunch game against in form Strathmore away at Boeing Reserve while the Under 16s take on Burnside away at the Bear Cave.

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