It was the Grand Final or as some put it , “Judgement Day” for the boys against St Bernards .During the previous three meetings we did not change a thing, same guys in similar positions, we lost each game by 7 goals, as a result we got to really understand their patterns of play and fortunately ,they did not change. However this time it was going to be very different, we had other ideas.
During the week the focus was on psychology mainly on the importance of every team member is important and one main defensive exercise.We reinforced that with a meeting on Saturday morning.
Pre game Shaun Ellis, the clubs under 14’s coach addressed the group and reinforced the message that today is about one thing, TEAM.
1st quarter we went out hard and kicked two goals to nil , both by Regan Vesty . As they walked off , the boys turned around and watched the body language of their opponents(heads down walking slowly). Our boys had a sniff, and were reminded of 3 key things ; 1st time all year they have been behind at quarter time (boys and supporters went off!), 1st time all year they had conceded 2 goals in a quarter(again same response) and finally 1st time all year we have been in front of them at a break (ditto response).
2nd quarter went to an arm-wrestle and we kept them to 2 points. The message was reinforced, “its half time they haven't kicked a goal” – we told them to look at the scoreboard and asked them what have your opponents been saying; the boys responded “they're complaining that we keep playing the boundary” . We told them when you hear them complaining to the umpires think of that as your favourite song. Need you to go extra hard this quarter - we call this the premiership quarter. Half the on ballers asked for a rest but remained in their positions.
3rd quarter continued like the previous two with frustration clearly showing in the St Bernards players. We managed to kick another goal , thanks to Mr Dangerman AKA Luke Stegger , whilst our opponents still remained goalless. We told the boys St Bernard's has never had an Under 11s goalless for three quarters,(the supporter roared). We told them to watch their key playmakers because they were probably going to try and run the field.
4th quarter started as predicted with their key playmaker going to Centre Half Back with a view to running through. St Bernards tried time and time again to run the ball through the corridor but Westbourne ran them down every single time. We counted they tried half a dozen times , between Zayd Balla, Connor Petrie and Stefan Costa they caught them and blocked them at every attempt. The boys really stood up , finally conceding a goal with 90 seconds to go. By that time it was game over and the coach nearly started crying.
Best : Congratulations to Regan Vesty for a great game kicking 2 goals and winning the Medal for the Best On Ground player. The entire team are to be congratulated for putting in four quarters of determined and skilfull football , with more tackles, smothers and blocks than any other game they have ever played. We hope that they learn the truth in the statement ;
“You can achieve anything you set your mind to”
Coaches Message : A CHAMPION TEAM BEAT A TEAM OF CHAMPIONS.
Some funny stuff;
Their timekeeper asked if No 15, No 10 and Number 1 had played all the other times , the timekeepers said they were there alright !
Ali asked the coach where the cup was at three quarter time !
After the game the Coach got kissed by more strange men than the last Italian Wedding he had attended !
Final note : It was a day when everything we did, every move , every plan came off. The reality is its probably never going to happen like that again, so we should really try to appreciate it.
Special thank you to the Team Manager , Vanessa Ellis and all the other official office bearers for the Under 11’s for their efforts throughout the season. Special mentions to; Shaun Ellis, Cam Mullinger and Brian Knee who during the year provided a sounding board for the coach and his views. Go Warriors !
