Round 14 - Seniors Match Report
Hinterland 18.14-122 def Moorooka 7.5-47
Although we came away with a good win in the end, from a coaching perspective it was only a glass half full. Perhaps watching the reserves have such a convincing win put our boys in the wrong mindset but the good news was that after half time we started to play like the team we are capable of being.
It started according to script with our boys kicking the first 3 goals in the opening 10 minutes. We trialled a few different people out in different positions, particularly early, and this possibly contributed to the ‘clunkiness’ in the way we were moving the ball. We would dominate passages and then turn the ball over with poor decisions that played into Moorooka’s hands. We came in 19 points up at quarter time with a late goal to Mal flattering us in terms of how we actually played.
The second was worse as we continued to kick the ball up the line to Moorooka who had flooded behind the ball. Our forwards were also stagnant and didn’t give the mids or backs many options when stuck on the wing. It truly was a team effort to play that poorly, too many guys were more interested in getting on the scoreboard than playing a role for the team and that led us to lose the quarter by a point. Whilst there was a couple of questionable umpiring calls, our lack of discipline ultimately was the culprit in a couple of Moorooka goals at crucial times during the quarter. Capped off by a yellow card to Jordie, it was a very dirty first half of football and something I don’t wish to see again anytime soon.
That’s enough negative though. As frustrating as the first half was, the second half was a breath of fresh air and meant that I didn’t have to pull out the rest of the hair on my head. Simmo moved back to defence with DJ and along with Kin completely nullified the Moorooka forward line. Our mids started to get on top around the ground and pushed up from defence to lock the ball in our forward half. Kin gave us plenty of rebound from the backline and must have taken close to 10 bounces by the final siren. Dan moved into the midfield and told me after the game that he was the catalyst that turned it around. I told him I’d put that in the report and he backpeddled a bit so I did anyway. He was good though after a tepid first half, kicking 2 goals and adding a bit of flair to the midfield unit.
Alec moved to half forward and gave us the leading target we were desperately looking for. He dropped a few off his chest but kept presenting hard all day to create chances for his team mates. He only finished with 1 goal but was one of our most important players linking up the mids and forwards. Hynsey was likewise important in his first game back from a hamstring strain. He kicked a couple of goals and just has a real presence whether he is up forward or in the middle. Shane played one of his best games for the year finishing with 3 goals to go along with some strong contested marks. He will rue kicking the first shot at goal out on the full as he wanted 4 goals but still contributed well.
Sam Noble also deserves praise after playing almost single-handedly in the ruck all day. Although we were probably beaten in the hit-outs, his mobility around the ground was first rate and capped it off with a couple of handy goals. Banger made an impact playing through the wing and half forward and also kicked a really nice snap goal from 40m out. Seems to be enjoying his football again and that cheeky smile is always a welcome sight at the club. Lachie ‘Spanner’ Smith was solid in a number of roles, hitting the scoreboard and playing for a free or 2. Jordan was likewise solid, apart from the yellow card, and will be looking for a big finish to the year.
At the start of the game Ross had a chat to the guys. The symbolism of the rope, the journey we are on together and what is required to make us a successful team was profound and right on the money. The difference between a champion team and a team of champions is the buy-in. A champion team is made up of guys willing to do the unheralded things if its for the greater good. Guys that will sacrifice for to help the guys around them. A team of champions may look better on paper, but when the heat is on they will look to play for themselves, not each other. We showed a bit of both during the game on Saturday but I think the second half shows that it is working as a team that makes footy fun. It makes for closer bonds. And, eventually, makes it more successful.
Go Blues