1st XV111 Match Reports

Round 1, 23 April 2010: Carey vs Brighton Grammar School

What a great way for all the boys to start 2010 with an away win in front of a large crowd at Brighton.

As a coach it was wonderful to see the boys attack on the footy and the man at a level that is required in our ‘BRAND’ of football that we will play this year. If we play this way we will continue to win more games and enjoy success as a group. In the first quarter McLeod’s tackle, Mazz’s spoil, Shaw’s spoil all in the first 3 minutes were highlights for the coaching staff as you could tell the boys were playing the way we had asked. We were reacting well with organizing the GRID and at stoppages we were all over them. Addison was dominating the Ruck and Woof was sensational below his knees gathering the contested ball at pace and penetrating it deep into our Forward line.

It was great to see KJ gaining in confidence and knowing he belongs in this side as he kicked 2 sensational goals and was a real target for us. Not only was he kicking goals his defensive pressure was remarkable. Our pressure was outstanding all over the ground where Shaw, Walker and Murphy continued to show an abundance of courage in contested situations. We were controlling the game but it would have been nice to be further in front as we had plenty of the ball yet kicked inaccurately. Our backline was working wonderfully well as a team, as were our midfielders as they only had 2 scoring opportunities. Michael Mazzocato on the last line was a great contributor to this as his man was yet to get a kick.

During the 2^nd quarter our intensity did not waver. We were all over them in the Centre square clearances but to Brighton’s credit they had some midfielders sneak forward and kick goals against the flow of play. With limited opportunities up forward we still were able to kick 2 goals from 5 inside 50 m entries. Once again this was thanks to KJ who was now all over his opponent and they were really struggling to match up our forwards. They were also struggling to keep up with all of our rotations that were catching them off guard. All of the boys were continuing to do the little things to stay in front and leave with the 4 points. Crocker’s smother, McLeod’s tackling, Woof, Murphy and Macrae’s ball use all terrific. We went into half time only 9 points up but we were very confident as we had all players fit and ready to go for another half.

In the third quarter we were winning the stoppages, the inside 50’s and we managed to stretch the lead by another 6 points. We were continuing to play our BRAND of football setting up the GRID, transferring play and being honest to our teammates. KJ slotted through another 2 and Crocker kicked a beauty on the run to stretch the lead at a very important stage of the game.

In the final quarter it was a game of kick to kick with both sides getting numbers behind the ball. However we were very happy with this as we led by 15 points at the last break. Big ‘Simmo’ was thrown in the ruck throughout the third and most of the last quarter and he stood up beautifully. Continued efforts to spoil, tackle and chase were very pleasing to see. It was Shawy’s effort in the middle of the ground that really made us all stand tall in the final minutes of the last quarter. He beat 2 BGS boys in the contest then got a kick forward. Our pressure was great but our talking was even better as we were holding out tackles and getting rewarded from the umpires. Inside 50’s were 14 to 9 indicating we were still on top towards the end. Woof finished off with a goal to seal the win and it was very sweet after traveling out there. We now look forward to playing our first home game for 2010 against Wesley that will be a very hard game.

Best Players: Kristain Jaksch, Mitch Woofindin, Lachlan McLeod, Michael Mazzocato, James Shaw, Jackson Mottram, Will Walker

Goal Kickers: Kristian Jaksch 6, Pat Cremean, Mitch Woofindin, Sam Crocker

Round 2, 1 May 2010: Carey vs Wesley College

This week we welcomed Wesley College to our first home game at Dunshea, which we knew was going to be a tough one as they had started their season off with a very large win against Scotch College.

We won the toss and decided to kick with the breeze. We began the game quit slowly and were second to the ball. Wesley were a quality side that were very had to get on top of in the stoppages as they were not fumbling and were very clean with their disposal and we were flat footed on occasions. It was wonderful to have our captain Andrew Gaff back in the side as in the middle of the first quarter he swopped on a ball and kicked a long goal on his left that opened up our account and got us going. Inside 50’s were Carey 6 and Wesley 11 so it could have been worse as we only 13 points down at the first break. Ryan Abotomey was doing a great defensive role on their dangerous rover and Matt Haynes was looking like he belonging as in his first game for Carey as he backed himself to take a fine mark and was taking them on with his leg speed.

We started the second quarter where we left off in the first. Our offensive and defensive pressure had stepped up especially from Kristian Jaksch. He was able to keep us in the game again kicking two very important goals. Nathan Hrovat was getting his hands on the ball very cleanly and Wesley were starting to worry about us a little. Morgan Evans was also controlling our Half Back line inside 50’s were very similar. Wesley squandered some opportunities as they had more of the ball than us but we knew we could play better and we went in at half time only 19 points down.

We talked about taking them on and gaining in belief as we were not far away from them at all. The third quarter was by far our best one for the day. As we started to really get on top with Sam Crocker roaming the Half Back line and repelling many of their attacks. Jack Macrae, Mitch Woofindin and Will Walker were really coming into the play and gaining great confidence. It was by far our most dominant period however we just needed to get the ball into our forward 50 on more occasions. It was great to see Matt Haynes kick his first goal for Carey as he burnt his man and kicked a goal deep in our forward line. Michael Mazzacato continued on his great form beating his man again and it was here he forced a turnover, which contributed to Jaksch’s 3^rd goal. Our pressure had stepped up especially in the forward line and it was reward for effort to see Robbie Shergold contribute to our momentum shift. There was a real period in this quarter where if we had of kicked one more we could have gone in at the last break, in front. We just needed to compose ourselves better when delivering to our forwards.

Unfortunately as good sides do – Wesley came out very strongly and with 4 inside 50’s to 14 it was very tough for our boys as we were stretched on the bench with some key players injured. Our backline all did remarkably well though as we held them to 2 goals when the flood-gates could have opened. We need to continue working on how to ‘ROLL UP’ and take up the space of the opposition Midfielders and Forwards.

Final result saw Wesley run out 26 point winners with the Carey boys definitely not far away. We need to believe in our game plan and keep our spirits high as we face Xavier next week in what will be a tough game and what a great one to bounce back in.

Best Players: Michael Mazzocato, Sam Crocker, Kristain Jaksch, Morgan Evans, Andrew Gaff, Matt Haynes

Goal Kickers: Kristian Jaksch 3, Matthew Haynes, Andrew Gaff

Round 3, 8 May 2010: Carey vs Xavier College

Today we travelled to play Xavier away in what was an absolute perfect day for football. The surroundings are outstanding with the surface very nicely presented although the centre was quite slippery and wet under foot.

We began beautifully with Jacob Murphy winning the first free kick because he put his head over the ball and sent us into attack early. We continued to get the ball inside 50m early but without any scoreboard pressure. To Xavier’s credit they took it inside 50 once and scored immediately which hurt us. Our tackle pressure was excellent for the first 5-7 minutes but Xavier continually scored with great efficiency from their ball use across Half Back. Their forwards were exceptional and very hard to stop. We needed more accountability around stoppages once we were down by 3 goals, as this would have helped our backline that had a very tough day. Michael Mazzocato continued to try to bring the ball to ground only for their cumbers to capitalise and score. Mitch Wooffindin, James Shaw and Lachlan Macleod were demonstrating courage and spirit through applying pressure at every opportunity. We need to remember to separate when bringing the ball forward and if we do switch continue on with it. (Don’t switch back into traffic). Sam Crocker kicked a fine goal, but we let them in at the end of the quarter with 2 late goals, which meant we went in 39 points down.

The second quarter was our most disappointing for the year. We had players taking backward steps, our kick in zone was ineffective, we were undisciplined, kicked the ball to 3 on 1’s and Xavier continued to mount pressure on the scoreboard. What was very pleasing though was Jordan Ceppi displaying his 'run and carry' ability and he played his best quarter for the school. Bruno Consalvo also played an important role on one of the best players in the competition and closed him down across the ground. James Coull began to get his confidence back and was very clean when handling the ball but, apart from Jack Meldrum, we just could not find a goal kicker. Jack continued to play in front and found out, when you do, you can get a free kick or a mark.

After a real honest discussion at half time it was pleasing to see Carey come out competing against an opponent that were very strong over the football. Simon Harris was competing like I have never seen him, with a real intent on the ball and the ball carrier. Jackson Mottram, Sam Crocker, and Mitch Wooffindin all contributed in tackles, spoils and smothers on the far wing that resulted in a real team lifting goal, which was our play of the day. We were backing ourselves with the switch of play and Jordan Ceppi continued to run hard and break lines against their midfield. There were more positives this quarter but our skill level cost us a couple of goals as it only took a slight mistake on our behalf and we immediately paid for it. We need to use the link man more with handball and once again our defensive zone was too far back allowing them to run through our grid with handball. We achieved a much more competitive result as it was two goals to Carey and three to Xavier for the quarter.

In the final quarter Jack Meldrum continued to play in front and attack the ball and finished off with three goals for the day in his first game for Carey in the 1sts. Michael Mazzocato continued to battle his heart out down back as did Morgan Evans who had a great day roaming across Half Back. Sam Crocker took a courageous mark backing back and continually tried to lift the boys. This quarter we fought out beautifully until the very end until we let them score two late ones. Overall the last half was a real improvement and it goes to show that when we play with that real intensity and hardness we can match it with the strongest sides in the competition.

We should welcome the challenge of GC this week who have been playing well and we should not forget the way the beat us by 1 point last year.

Best Players: Morgan Evans, James Shaw, Mitch Wooffindin, Jordan Ceppi, Sam Crocker, Bruno Consalvo

Goal Kickers: Jack Meldrum 3, Jacob Murphy, Morgan Evans, Sam Crocker