Scratch Match at Padua

The Under 17s and the Under 19s had a combined ‘scratch’ match on the lush Padua College outfield before the two senior sides ran out onto the ground.  As a lead into the game the 17s and the 19s trained together on the Thursday night and then headed off to LaPorchetta Hastings for a meal where the two sides were selected.  The excitement of our first ‘hit out’ was building as we had forty turn up to hear the  teams being announced.  The two coaches – Mark Aumont and Luke Herrington – were very pleased with the way the game went and were particularly impressed with the ball movement, the fitness and the endeavour of the players representing both teams. Mark commented, “I was very happy with the attitude and support of the 19s toward the Under 17 boys both on and off the field in what was a fantastic initiative bringing both sides together.”  Luke added, “There were some real positives for both sides and it was great for the club to come together and do what we did.”  Both coaches agreed that there were some really positive signs for the club moving forward and were excited about the prospects of both their outfits for the coming season.

Unfortunately the games that our Senior and Reserves were to play against Heatherton were cancelled at short notice when Heatherton withdrew so we settled on an intra-club game.  Selecting the two sides created a great deal of interest with Jared coaching one team and Happy coaching the other.  Team selection showed how far we have come as a club in twelve months as this time last year when we journeyed to Heatherton we had a number of Under 19s in our Senior side and our Reserves team was mostly made up of Under 19 players due to our lack of numbers.  When the two teams were picked for the intra-club game this time round we fielded only two Under 19 players and had as many as five selected on the interchange for both teams and more than ten players who were not able to play due to other commitments.  With Jared and Happy in control, Hammer took to the field in a non-playing role and was coaching the players in the heat of battle.  In relation to the game Hammer commented, “I was really happy with the way both games (the 17s/19s game included) were played in regards to ball movement, in particular coming into the forward line.  I was also pleased with how players set up behind the ball to defend as a team and were working hard to lock the ball in the forward line.  I was also delighted to see the new recruits and returning players fit in so well with the rest of the team and to see the players who had worked so hard over the preseason rewarded for their efforts by playing some really good footy.”  The Senior coaching staff are excited with the talent that they have at their disposal and the commitment and enthusiasm of the playing group and we are all hopeful that the season will commence in the not too distant future.              

 Cheers

 Brades

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