UNDER 14 Division 1

Round 1 Match Report At Cross Keys v Craigieburn

After a well structured 10 week fitness / skills based pre-season program, the boys were certainly well prepared for their first game. They enter the season with the confidence they have the fitness to runout each quarter (now extended to 20 mins) and each game.

1st Qtr Strathmore 2.5.19 - Craigieburn 0.0.0

Kicking into the wind our boys were determined to get first use of the ball. Jed O'Reilly was giving our onballers first use as they constantly kept driving the ball forward. Jesse Corigliano was in everything and was providing a real target at centre half forward. However we did get caught playing the dead pocket and as a result kicking for goal was astray scoring 2 goals 5 points for the quarter.

Oscar Allison in his 50th game and first U14 game scored a great goal as did Josiah Garisto, right on the siren. The backline did not see much action and certainly outplayed their opponents to clear the ball when it did venture down their way. Good signs that the game was about to be broken open.

2nd Qtr Strathmore 9.9.63 - Craigieburn 1.0.6

With clear instructions to not to get caught in the dead pocket and to switch the ball back through the corridor, we started the second quarter where we left off the first, getting first use and pumping it forward. An early goal to James Schmidt set up the quarter before Lachy Cavanagh started to stamp his authority on the game kicking three goals for the quarter. Further goals to Brendan Butler, James Seit and Tom Condon capped off some great work by the midfield and backline in setting up many scoring opportunities. Craigieburn scored their only goal for the match, however the floodgates had certainly opened as we kicked 7 goals for the quarter.

3rd Qtr Strathmore 15.11.101 - Craigieburn 1.0.6

Craigieburn came out harder in the second half and although not able to score, they certainly kept our backline on their toes. More of the same this quarter with our forward line continuing to function well. Tragedy struck early in this quarter when our ruckman Jed O'Reilly went down injured, dislocating his knee cap. Jed and Lachy had been dominating our ruck all day and it was disappointing to see Jed injured and in so much pain but it was great to see that he was well supported by trainers from both teams. Lachy continued his good form up forward kicking the first for the quarter after receiving a great pass from Athan Tsialtas who rewarded Lachy's well timed second lead. After a team lifting rundown/tackle, Jessie kicked his second. Goals to Athan and Condo and two to Schmiddy capped off another disciplined quarter, full of run.

4th Qtr Strathmore 24.15.159 - Craigieburn 1.0.6

The three qtr time message was to finish off strongly testing your fitness. Highlight of this quarter was the great running out of the backline lead by Jake Ledwich, who was able to spot targets as he dashed out of defence. Finish off well we did, kicking 9 goals for the qtr. Liam Jordan and Alex Coutts relished a run in the forward line, with Jordo kicking one and setting up some others and Couttsy kicked two himself. Luke Holian kicked a pearler from the boundary line and another after a "pass" from Condo. Condo kicked two more himself and Lachy and Schmiddy got one more each.

Summary

The report is dominated by the goal kicking efforts but this really was a team effort to enable 23 goals to be kicked. Every player in this team is expected to play a role which may differ from week to week. Special mention to Adam Moravski who, although out injured with a broken hand, supported the coaching team by managing the board, well done Adam. Also we welcome Jessie Corigliano to the club for his first game and also his brother Luke who is in the U14 Div 4 team. We wish Jed O'Reilly all the best with his recovery and look forward to welcoming him back ASAP.

Goals: Cavanagh 5, Condon 4, Schmidt 4, Holian 2, Coutts 2, Tsialtis 1, Butler 1, Corigliano 1, Seit 1, Allison 1, Garisto 1, Jordan 1