Round 3 - Match Reports

U16A
St Bernards 10.10.70 def  Spotswood 9.9.63
Goals: Kieran Farrell, David Wall & Jordan Schroder 2 each, Sam Jones, Isaac Madden, Harry Overman, Jonathon Rose.
Best: Jordan Schroder, Tom Sullivan, Jack Wheeler, Andrew Grosso, Matthew Borzillo, Jonathon Rose.

The coach was crook and with school footy and athletic commitments impacting on the team the 16As faced a confident and fired up Spotswood on a beautiful afternoon for footy. The first half we played as individuals, Spottie were right on their game and their strong marking and leading had us down 6goals to 3 and in trouble. Gross, Schrodes, Borzi, Sulla and Stapo were keepng us in it.
The second half saw Bernards play a better team orientated game, with Wallsy and Jonesy providing good targets, we kept pushing and although still down at 3/4 qtr time, we were right in it.
The last qtr was a nailbiter, Schrodes kicked 2 beauties, Spotties' heads' dropped and we hit the front. ALL the boys lifted in the thrilling last 10 minutes it was tough hard footy with both sides giving their all. We hung on for one of the teams best victories and a great launching pad for the rest of the season.
Great TEAM effort boys !!  Well coached Schrodes. The Phantom.
Best: Schrodes, Gross, Borzi, Stapo, Sulla & Wheels

U16D
St Bernards 10.14.74 lost Spotswood 11.11.77
Goals: Andrew Graham 3 Luke Larsen 3, Zaron Smith, Matthew Stephenson, Liam Utri & James Weir.
Best: Daniel Riley, Luke Larsen, Jake Van Meel, Andrew Graham, James De Leur, James Weir.
What a super game of footy by both sides, we really had our chances to put Spotswood away in the first half but our kicking for goal was dreadful. We need to really concentrate when having set shots for goal. We can only get better.
Thanks to all parents who helped with side on Sunday to get every boy on the ground for at least 2 quarters.It really is a big ask to manage 7 interchange players.
There were at least 40 + changes during the course of the game
Overall lets stick at it as we can only improve. Special mention to Daniel Riley who played a super game along with Michael Hughes & Andrew Graham.
 
U14A
St Bernard's 10.14.74 def Spotswood 9.9.63
Goals: Taylor Bisognano 2, Tony Plazanic 2, Mathew Dickson 1, John Ianello 1, Nicholas Madden 1, Connor Morgan 1, Thomas Riley 1, Seamus Whelan 1.
Best: Good hard fought team effort.
Our excellent first quarter set us up with a 5 goal lead. Spotswood through determination worked their way back into the game which did test our fitness level, skills, decision making and game plan. Lots of St Bernard courage and team work was on display as we were able to secure our first win by eleven points.
This hard 4 quarter game together with this weeks training sessions will be a good lead up to our next opponent on Sunday. We will need to be at our best for this game.
Once again a big thanks to all parents that have helped out during training sessions and on match days, the players do appreciate it.

U14C
St Bernards    4.5.29 lost Werribee 13.14.92
Goals: Robert Berezdecky, Matthew Bergin, Jack Evans, Tom Madden
Best: Sam Woods, Mitchell Cooper, Conor Utri, Zachary O’Halloran, Matthew Bergin, Jayden Foster  
Welcome to C grade. Our side needs to step up to the bigger faster boys and show more commitment to their football if we are to win games in this grade.
After saying that, I was very happy with the way the team adjusted to the speed of the game and applied pressure right till the final siren. Werribee played a strong team game and if they are in the top 4 teams we need to improve, which I know we can. Lets make next week a win ... LEARN FROM A LOSS

U12A
St Bernard’s 3.5.23 lost to Spotswood 21.9.135
Goals: (plural !) Jack Rennex, Max Jaggard, Jack Gilmore.
Best: Max Jaggard, Michael Caven, Lachie Sullivan, Will Isaacs, Josh Wallis, Jack Gilmore, Jayden Ristevski.
We really must stop kicking the first goal. It sends the opposition into a frenzy for the rest of the game. We did start very well, but our opponents had a full team of competent footballers and eventually they got on top. Many of us then stopped competing and began to stand admiring how well Spotswood played. Boys, that is for the supporters to do, not you fellas.
 
Our injury problems have been well documented. Today we lost one of our very best players, Edyn Sibbald for half of the match. You guessed it. Another leg injury!! The Great Leg Injury Enquiry of ’08 continues. There are questions and mutterings about training drills, warm-ups, wearing skins, footies pumped too hard or too soft, Friday night training, hard grounds….. When pressed for answers, Coach Damo declared, “I’m working on it, ok”
 
The boys continue to improve. Although Spotswood scored heavily, we were still able to get into our forward line for 8 scoring shots. Our little blokes Max Jaggard, Lachie Sullivan, Jack Gilmore, Liam Bowler, Fergal Utri, Dominic Iermano and Chris O’Bree did what Coach Damo asked and all showed great courage in the contests. Michael Caven attacked the ball and was strong in defence. Tom Lewis was a creative and dangerous forward. Jayden Ristevski continues to improve, playing with great dash. Josh Wallis is a consistently good footballer. Michael Sauro played his first game and showed a lot of ability. Will Isaacs was captain today and played hard, determined footy.
 
Coach Damo is pleased with our improvement, but he worries that too much is left to too few. Come on boys, next week is our first home game. It is time for our first win. And parents, please have the boys at the ground by 11.30 each week.
 

U12 B
St Bernards 4.4.28 lost Werribee Juniors 8.7.55
Goals: Quade Butt, Nicholas Kechenovich, Charlie Vague, Will Baird,
Best: Will Baird, Cody Brasher, Nicholas Kechenovich, Anthony Eid, Alec Binns & Charlie Vague
Report to come in next weeks newsletter.

U12D
St Bernard’s 5.4.34 lost Spotswood 5.7.37
Goals:, Liam Grech 1, Michael Diamandis 1, Hugh McLaughlin 1, Jack Stephens 1, Joseph Taylor 1
Best: Ambroise Attard, Thomas Noonan, Hugh McLaughlin, Michael Smith, Liam Grech, Tom Monaghan, Ben McNamara
Two hard fought matches in a row have certainly tested the boy’s competitive spirit and to their credit they worked hard in each match. All the boys had a real go, we had the lead for the most of the game but it was the final stages that the opposition kicked the final goal to win by 3 points. Our game plan was to run hard in numbers, win the loose ball and protect the ball carrier. Again we came across another tall team…must be something in the water down the western Sub’s!
With a large list of players in our side, we had to find a balance on the field which is most difficult not to mention the opposition was short of players so in the spirit of the game, two of our players played for the opposition team. Special thanks to each player who put there hands up to help out, Thomas G, Leonard, Jordan S, Jake, Christopher W, Jack S, Luke C, and James K a credit to you boys.
It was great to see players taking up new challenges, our full back Liam Grech was moved to full forward and kicked a great goal. Jack Stephens taking a great mark, which resulted in a goal, Michael Smith was sensational in the ruck. Matthew Caterall took a great overhead mark. Another great team effort!
Captains this week: Michael Smith and Joseph Ta

U10 Red
St Bernards 9.6.60 def Spotswood 4.7.31
Goals:- Henry J (3), Jordan M (2), Ashley (1), Lachlan M (1), Ryan (1)
Best: -Team effort.
This week's theme was "moving the ball forward at all times, sheperding for team-mates & getting our bums down" in packs.  The squad practised these skills during training and it was pleasing to see the match day players carryout these instructions.
 Due to the rotation policy several players where given new responsibilities, special mention to Cameron Walsh who held down full-back and kicked out long to the team's advantage, Ethan Grech in the ruck contested fiercely against a larger opponent and gave us first use of the ball, Jordan M was busy on the forward line creating opportunities and bagging a couple of goals, James W for running hard to apply shepherds, Julian & Ashley for their strong work & contesting in the forward line.
 Our mosquito fleet was it's usual busy self getting in and under the packs knocking the ball to our advantage, leading the group was Henry J, Luke B, Luke H, Jordan F they where well supported by Thomas M, Thomas, Ryan S, Jack M, Jack T, James, Lachlan C, Nicholas & Dylan.
Other strong performers on the day where Happy Gilmore, Lachlan M, Will, Luke D & Zac C.
 It was a great team effort and all the players contributed to the end result.

U9 Red
Spotswood vs St Bernards

After the crushing defeat the previous week, the boys wanted revenge! They played very well in the first quarter to take the lead. They put into practice what we have been learning at training with better talk, running, keeping their positions, and longer kicking. Unfortunately the 2nd and 3rd quarters we went back to our old way of not manning up and not holding our positions."" Remember boys" Spotty was then back in the game. Our last quarter again saw us holding our positions , lots of great tackling and running. Great games from Matthew "Jesalenko" Sauro, Pat Willach, Ben Huggard, Kyle "goal sneek"Schroder, Mitchell 'white line fever"Runting and Jake Riccardi. Everyone tackled, shepherded and chased really well to make it a heart stopper right to the end to win by 3 points.

U9 White
St Bernards 3.10.28 def Werribee Central 3.4.22.
Captain:        Lachlan Gollant
Goals: Nick De Leur 2 Daniel, Lewis.
Best: Nick V, Marcus, Myles, Fabian, Lachlan G, Nick D, Dominic.
 
Thanks to the boys who donned the Werribee Centrals jumpers to help out with numbers.  The upshot was we all got more game time and most boys had plenty of possessions playing for either team.  A special mention to Nick De Leur who kicked Werribee's first goal. Well done Nick a great display of sportsmanship.  The boys were more than excited, finally playing on Oval 1 against another team, and Werribee Centrals were certainly worthy contenders.  The game started with a swarm of bee's following the ball and continued up until three quarter time when the swarm ran out of puff and the boys started playing in position.  An important lesson learned, as soon as we played in position the game started to go our way, with six scoring shots in the last quarter.  Due to the drought we haven't been able to train in the wet, and unfortunately playing early mornings, or more affectionately known as 'kicking the dew off the grass', we will have to learn to touch the ball on the ground and not bounce. Once again thanks to the many parents who help out at training and on game day, with a special thanks to Luke Gollant who takes on the toughest job of the day, umpiring, and makes it look so easy.  Well done boys and keep enjoying your football.

Round 3 - Fixtures