What a finale to the Bluedogs 2011 season, with a week that saw 10 teams competing in Grand Finals. Up until Saturday, 7 trophies had been raised triumphantly. Our job was to be the 8th & 9th, after the Prem girls unfortunately had no luck on Friday night, and went down to a very fortunate Alstonville side. A great season nevertheless.
That disappointment aside, the 1sts and 2nds were keen to keep the the trophies coming, and on an extremely hot Saturday morning we gathered, players and supporters , at Bangalow Hotel, ready for the bus trip to Oakes Oval.
Due to a recent bout of heat stroke my recollection of the days events maybe a little hazy, but here goes……..
12.15pm was the kickoff time for 2nds against Italo Stars, and with the temperature gauge apparently into the 30′s, the priority was to get as much fluid into our systems as possible. The team had the previous week off and everyone was reasonably fit and ready, but the conditions were definately going to be a major factor, and thankfully, we also had the young legs of Mori and Zeb from the 16′s on the team sheet. Jarryd started up front with slippery Steve, Campbell filled the right side midfield, which pushed Shep into the middle with Dustin, and Paz moved into the holding role in front of Anthony Jarvis. So the team certainly had a strong and experienced look to it.
The middle of the pitch was extremely hard, so playing to the flanks was the go, but in the heat, Campbell and Simon found it tough to make any incisive runs out wide, so the linking with the front 2 was a rare thing, and longer range balls became both teams’ main ploy. Not really our style, but understandable. As both teams suffered, the interchanges would be crucial, and after around 20 minutes, Jarryd was replaced by the nimble Carey who’s energy and fresh legs began to test the Stars defense. Eventually, this payed off, with a neat 1 on 1 finish to liven up the game, and gave our supporters something to cheer about. At 1-0 the game got bogged down into a struggle with the conditions again, till with some relief, the half time came, and we could take shelter in the shade of the changerooms to rehydrate and reflect.
Young Mori had entered the game just before the break and the same team went back on for the 2nd half. Soon we were pressing again into opposition territory and much like the first goal, after an interchange of passes, a neat ball by Dustin found Mori in on goal after beating the last defender, and The Black Pearl finished brilliantly. 2-0 but still not comfortable, Zeb moved to replace a tired Dustin. Again the freshness proved vital, and with Nathan Burvill’s ability to run, it made life difficult for our tiring opponents. Eventually Nathan got the last touch to score our 3rd and put the game safely out of reach. The boys consolidated and played out the remaining time with little concern. The whistle blew, relief from the exhausted team, and jubilation in the stands.
So many good players, so much effort, and a just result in the end to this bunch of players, who with so many changes through the year, battled hard every week to keep the momentum right to the end. I feel very fortunate to have coached and played with this group, and am delighted to share the spoils with them. Mori got the reward on the day, but every player deserved their medals for an outstanding performance in unbelievable conditions. Well done lads!
One down, and one to go! Lennox Head were going to be a difficult opponent for us, and, like the 2nds, the conditions would also effect our style of game. Taha was moved to the right midfield, and Smithy was pushed up front with Marco, and a doubtful Mat started in his usual left mid position, but succumbed only minutes into the game with an ongoing leg muscle problem. Young gun Mitch, was forced straight into the fray earlier than expected, and soon after, as the play was not suiting our change in line-up, Smithy and Taha swapped positions, and the game became more balanced.
Lennox Head played their usual direct, but effective long-ball game, and with their experience and understanding, were pushing us back, and we found it tough coming out of our defense with any real effect. Leo and Josh had their work cut out, as the as the big guns tried everything to break them down, and awaited a mistake that they could capitalise on. Eventually it came, and they scored after we could not clear the ball cleanly from our box. This seemed to spur our boys on, and suddenly our game burst into life, and more possession saw the game swing back our way. Taha and Marco had more involvement, which paid off when Taha’s trickery saw him bought down in the box, and Samwell stepped up to equalize. Like the game before, the faces showed the relief when the half time whistle blew, and we could head to the change rooms to recover.
Even though it was getting late in the afternoon, the heat was relentless, and the second 45 would be as tough to play in, so I called for a strong metal approach to the remainder of the game, as, when the body tires, the mind must stay focused, and if we kept doing the simple things better and more often, the win was still there for the taking. Unfortunately, shortly after kick-off in the second half, we allowed another sloppy goal, as tired bodies again couldn’t clear our lines. Again though, and after some convincing play, we received a free kick about 40 mtrs out from Lennox’s goal. Samwell picked up the brilliant goal poacher Leo, who glanced the ball into the net with his head, and the supporters went nuts. The opposition were changing players regularly, to try and keep their strength, and with only a thin bench and two players backing up from 2nds, it meant I had to be more conservative with our changes.
Some heavy challenges saw injuries to both Leo and Taha, and both were replaced. Smithy and Slippery Steve brought more energy to the weary team, and the game went from end to end with no breakthrough to either side. The scores were locked at 2-2 at full time, and luckily, the extreme temperatures had reduced to a balmy 25 degrees. Now it was survival of the fittest, and so it went on again with the same intensity as both sides tried to get on top of the other. To be honest, we did look the more likely, although there was some brilliant goal-keeping by Richie, who was having a blinder to keep us in the contest. Taha, Leo, and Sam Mamone came into the game for our final assault, and again, we looked more likely. Then, with only about a minute to play, after a brilliant through ball, Carlos found himself one-on-one with the keeper, and a flash-back to the Burringbar final, which saw him score a great winner, the bench went up in anticipation of the net bellowing again, only to see his shot deflect off the keeper’s legs, straight to Slippery, who’s own shot, also goal bound, was again saved spectacularly by the Lennox keeper.
Game over. Penalties.
This time I watched, and thankfully so, as despite a hiccup with the referees count, we all saw a fantastic display of goal keeping, as Richie saved three of our oppositions’ penalties, and with Josh, Marco and Slippery scoring their respective attempts, the Bluedogs had the win, the trophy, and the club’s 9th Grand Final victory for the season. Bloody amazing!!
What a team! What a cub! What an achievement!
To all those involved, particularly my hard working players, thanks for a great season. Unfortunately, sadly, we will say goodbye to Leo, who returns home to Chile. What an inspirational player. And a great fella. We will miss him, as we did when Tomas left us. But with fuzzy wuzzy Gonzo back, and a few other new specials on the horizon, bring on 2012!
For now, lets bathe in the glory, and for Pazza, “We’re live’n the dream!”. Well done Presidente for your support and mateship. See you all on presentation night, 7th October.
Over and out for this year.
In sport, a very proud, very satisfied, Shep.