U11 Green Match Report

This was a tough day at the office for Team Green!

After a promising start in which Angus Quail kicked the opening goal and for most of the first quarter we showed good effort and application in winning the ball, there was a very uncharacteristic lack of endeavour that lasted for the next two quarters.  In that time, Pittwater piled on 9 unanswered goals and it was a BIG reminder that when we apply ourselves, are prepared to go in and win the hardball, and make a second effort to win the ball we can compete with anybody…. and when we don’t, the results will show up very quickly on the scoreboard.

The high points of the game were fine defensive efforts from Tom Nevell, who continues to be the rock of defence, and Alex Roberts who showed tenacity, discipline and courage all day.  He was a deserving player of the day winner.  Kieran Crayn also put in real effort and deserved his award for application.  We were grateful for three quarters of drive and energy from Will Kennedy but in truth, it has to be said that this was one of those days where the boys did drop their heads for significant chunks of the match.   It was also great to welcome back the “Shanghai Kid” Will Kemption - after extensive negotiations with the Chinese Dept of Youth, Sport and Performance Enhancement, Rocket finally secured the release of Will for a limited number of games.

There was light in the fourth quarter, and we had most of the possession and restricted Pittwater to only one move through the forward line.  This was a very good effort, as after a third quarter where they kicked 6 goals to nothing, it would have been easy for that scoring trend to continue.

Pittwater 10.6.66 d Willoughby Green 1.4.10

Goal:  Angus Quail

Players of the Day:  Alex Roberts, Kieran Crayn

Things we did well:

• a good effort in the last quarter when the scoreboard highlighted we were struggling

Things to think about:

… one very strong message from coaching legend John Kennedy: 

“I never met the football team who were so good that the ball came to them.  It has to be won.  It has to be wanted.  It has to be fought for.” 

Michael Traill (coach)