Today the boys wanted to finish the home and away season on a high – a win on the big ground on our home turf.  

We lost the toss and kicked to the club house end first, although there was not much wind to speak of and any advantage would be gained through handling the slippery ball better than the opposition.

In an amazing first quarter the boys ran the opposition ragged on the big ground, winning the centre clearances and the backline duals with strength. Jared M, Michael C, Aaron P and Callum C all had a big impact in the centre. In the back half Liam B, Lachie K and Anthony D shut down the opposition attacks keeping their composure under pressure. The forwards were able to take advantage and attack at every opportunity resulting in two great goals to Luke S and Lochie K, Lochie kicking his first for the club.  At quarter time the scores were Mordi Brae 2.2.14 to St Pauls no score.

Our second quarters have been our weakness all year and the coach asked for a big effort to erase our lack of drive in previous games. The boys could not have responded better kicking four unanswered goals. The boys went on a running frenzy leaving the opposition in their wake, the boys moving the ball with precision down the wings and through the middle. The chain of handballs through the centre of the ground on several occasions was good to watch – something we have been doing at training all year. Dan B, Lachie M and Tom S playing on the forward line did some great work all scoring goals in the second stanza finishing off on the great work down the ground. Players to stand up in the second included Harry B, Cam N, Chris M and Bailey M. The scores were Mordi Brae 6.3.39 to St Pauls no score.

At half time we made some more changes and kept the rotations up. It was important to keep going and make sure the boys were rested to run out the game. The third quarter was as good as the second with another three goals, two to Lachie M and another one to Dan B.  Quick movement of the ball, hard running, long and accurate kicking were typical of some of the play in the third quarter and it was arguably one of the best quarters of the year from our boys.  Players to play well were the speedsters, Jake C and Ethan S with great support from Harrison M and Zac A. At three quarter time the boys had blown the game out of the water in one of the most dominant displays this year. The scores at three quarter time were Mordi Brae 9.5.59 to St Pauls 1.0.6. 

In the last quarter the big ground and the hard running started to take its toll but the boys continued to fight hard like they have all year. We were outscored by 2 points in the last but not before Dan B managed to add to his goal tally and kicked his 4^th goal of the day.   

At the finish the scores were Mordi Brae 10.5.65 to St Pauls 2.2.14.

Today’s game was another step in the right direction and will hold the boys in good stead for next weeks Lightning Carnival.    

Highlights included:

-         Equal highest score this year

-         Second time to win four in a row

-         Lochie K kicking his first goal

-         Great goals from Dan B(4), Lachie M(3) and Tom(1)

-         Winning every centre clearance

-         More than triple the scoring shots – 15 to 4

-         Equal highest number of goals kicked in a game this year

-         Our 11^th week in a row where no more than four goals have been kicked against us.

 

Our captains for the day were Liam B and Chris M after showing great dedication and courage over the past few weeks.

Awards:

Maros – Dan B for kicking four magnificent goals

Maccas Springvale – 

Canteen – Aaron P and Cam N for doing all of the team things and creating turnovers for us.

Coaches Award – Michael C for his incredible clearance work in the centre.

Goalkickers:

Dan - 4

Lachie M – 3

Tom – 1

Luke - 1

Lochie – 1

 

Best Players – the whole team:

 

Jacob “sprinter” C

Bailey “the spoiler” M

Ethan “electric” S

Aaron “sauce” P

Chris “hard nut” M

Lachlan “the wall” K

Michael “the rock” C

Liam “the general” B

Dan “talkinator” B

Cameron “nitro” N

Luke “running man” S

Zac “the wrestler” A

Aaron “the hulk” H

Anthony “silky” D

Callum “crunch” C

Tom “slick kick” S

Lachlan “buddy” M

Jared “steam train” M

Lochlann “Cazaly” K

Harrison “the stopper” M

Harrison “ball magnet” B

 

Great team effort today by the boys.

See you at training.