Wind and rain greeted the Roos as they arrived to take on the Lions, a stark contrast to the week before, the boys eager to atone for last week’s narrow loss.
Injuries to Tank, Kizza and Callum, Lindsay and TBag away with work, Jarrad off to Europe, meant opportunities for five changes to the side. Lachlan Nicol came in for his first game for the club, Musto, Chook and Micko were all back from injury and Jonesy fresh from popping the question overseas also making his first appearance for the year.
We started as we finished the week prior with several of the boys unable to get control of their skills in the slippery conditions. Mounties were getting their hands on the ball first, capitalising on our mistakes, in a tight contest, the scores level at the first change.
The boys started to a get a taste for the contest in the second as Mikey started to link up with the Jake and Tyson in the middle, goals to Austin and Dylan Larsen the result as we nudged our way in front. More mistakes meant more goals to Mounties as our lead quickly evaporated only a late goal to Jake making amends for inaccurate kicking, we were ten points up at the main change.
Some level-headed conversation during the break had the coach challenging the boys to take the game on and use the ball better when we were coming into the forward line. This resulted in instant improvement as Jake, Tyson, Dylan and Gaz repeatedly worked the ball forward. Aussie was the beneficiary of the good ball use kicking three for the quarter. It was also coming from the backline with Nick, Luke, Greggo and Marty all repelling anything that Mounties threw at them with several opportunities created. We had kicked eight for the quarter and had a handy ten goal lead. The only sour note, Harry, after falling heavily, staggered off with his collarbone in pieces just before the break.
An even last quarter as Mounties rediscovered their fight from the first half, our good ball use continued and another four goals to three had the Roos recording a comfortable 77-point win.
Jake continued his good form our best for the day, Gaz relishing his time in the middle 2nd best, Nick 3rd and Austin rounding out the top four with his six goals. Tyson continued to find the ball near goal kicking three for the day, Gaz Jake and Micko two each with Dylan Larsen and Lachlan one a piece.
Well done to Andy on playing his Fiftieth game for the third time, Lachie for the longest run up for a shot at goal complete with obligatory toss of grass checking the breeze, Milney and Pep for turning Twenty One. A big effort from Seth and Waggs doing the boundary and Beavo for filling the void when they had had enough and to Maitland for doing the running albeit slowly on a bung ankle!
Another big test this week away to Pickers, lets continue to improve, learn from each other and work towards a four-quarter effort.
Happy Mother’s Day to all our Mums, we hope you have a great day, the boys get the flowers and the points for you.
Carn the Roos!