Round 1 Match Reports – Mens Over 35s and Womens Footy Rush - Eastern Warriors AFL Masters Football Club

Round 1 Match Reports – Mens Over 35s and Womens Footy Rush

Read the Round 1 wrap from the Mens Over 35s vs Beacy and the inaugural Womens Footy Rush match vs Brunswick.

Round One of AFL Masters Footy Rush

Report by Kirsty

The Warrior women gathered bright and early at 8:30am on Saturday at Merv Hughes Oval, Footscray, ready for the first game of AFL Masters Footy Rush. We were excited to trial the new competition and especially to welcome the new teams’ competing with us. Coach Sue was excited that AFL Vic had organised field setup and umpires, while the weather gods were excited that footy was finally back and proved it with windy and chilly weather.

Our Round 1 opponents were the Brunswick Mudlarks, while Williamstown faced Parkside on the other Footy Rush field. It was great to see so many women participating in the Non-Contact game and the mood was buoyant and friendly. We also celebrated some important team moments with H pulling on the yellow and black for her first game, and Kylie officially joining the Warriors after her transfer from Port Melbourne.

We won the toss and chose to kick with the wind. Our first adjustments were to the new rules – no ruck and a kick out from full back commences the game! Fortunately, Coach Sue has been working hard on drills for us at training on how to address these changes – where to stand, where to lead and how to set up for the opponents kick-ins and the Warriors made good leads for Reyzl, at full back, with her booming kicks. Our forwards created plenty of attacking opportunities, and Sue was unlucky not to be rewarded with a brilliant snap goal just before quarter time—the team still insists it beat the siren! Kylie and Susie were dynamic in the centre and H provided plenty of pressure acts.

At half time, Sue gave us a rev up and told us to play “our own game”. Ren landed our first goal and we were looking sprightly. Susie sold some candy and launched the ball forward – one of many times. My opponent was heard to say in awe “She’s like a ninja!” H continued to present strongly up forward and came close to her first career goal. Mich, Sunita, Kylie and Helen were marking anything that came their way, with Sunita’s speed worrying the opposition. My favourite moment of the last quarter was Mich taking a strong mark, kicking it to Helen who slickly passed it off to Reyzl for one of her 2 final-quarter goals, adding to her goal in the third.

After the game, Sue and Flea received their first fangirl moment, with a spectator approaching Sue for an autograph after watching their podcast “Talking Masters Footy with Sue and Flea”.

With Round 1 under our belt, the Warriors are already looking ahead to the next game and excited to welcome back our teammates Sandra, Doc, and Jenny.

Mens Over 35s report

Round 1 vs Beacy

The day started off well with the co-coach Pogz having a nice light breaky toast/ coffee waiting for co-coach Pete to arrive to travel to hometown Edinburgh Reserve.

On arrival with dreams/ hopes in our eyes came the first hiccup. Spare jumpers left in the black box were damp/smelly . WHAT TO DO? 90 min till game.

Thought – ring the wife (laundry expert) but decided against it .

Pogz off to laundry mat!

With instructions given at laundromat and 14 mins drying time, problem solved . Ps way more jumpers than players but you need to dream big!

On return to the ground I found a half time lead for our 50 s Was this the start of a couple of upsets? Answer – yes / no.

Alright, down to business.

Pete looked at the board and we had just nine 35s (sad), then along came Luke and Gavin from Kilsyth as future Warriors hopefully. So now we had 11 (Pogz was eyeing his own gear bag nervously), but then came the ancient Warriors out to play.

Enter Kenny/Thorny/Lou/ Adam/MattyD/Goldy/Bruiser/Hiphop.

Having agreed with Beacy for a 14-15 a side match, it was game on. After the gathering of teams and the usual welcome address from the umps it was time to pick an end.

What seemed like the highest coin toss I’ve ever seen hit the green lush surface and favoured our captain of the day Jules who pointed towards the Police Rd end (our first win of the game!).

The first quarter started with us winning the tap but not winning the clearance and providing Beacy with a scoring opportunity, which was accepted ( not the start we hoped for). This continued for the quarter with us not seeing much forward line action and Beacy having a 5 goal quarter.

Second quarter was much the same as the first unfortunately – we were losing our shape all around the ground, kick chasing or panicking etc. Bring on half time!

Siren ( thank you )

Half time address was all about making yourself accountable with man on man first and foremost.

Third quarter was better – the signs looked way more positive and Beacy didn’t have the same freedom as the first half. We were getting more entries into our forward half (but no luck with goals).

Then BANG – big Jason collides with an opponent with his head down copping a crunching hit (where was the free?), down on his knees for a while. Our concern was immediate and we took him off, his day done .

Then as if the footy gods said we want more – Jeff hurts himself. His arm hanging down from a shoulder injury ( stinger), Jeff comes to bench. Rotation rotations.

( Thanks 50s Warriors)

The last quarter was similar to the thirrd – we lost Krisso with ribs ( I hate the gods!) but we were still running hard (fitness not a worry), the system was coming along as we had trained an we saw some nice passages of play – tick! Good signs moving forward. Maybe we are slow starters or maybe the penny dropped .

Siren sounds.

Game over.

Some special mentions:

-Obie – rucked tirelessly all day, fantastic effort

-Jules – was inspiring as captain and was still running hard at end

-Gavin (new) ran all day and was a real asset

Plus Kenny and Thorney who both contributed very well with their footy skills and nous.

Once again special thanks to

Lou / Adam / Goldy / Matty D

Hiphop/ Bruiser / Munga (water )

Hope I didn’t miss anyone (sorry).

Everyone contributed in some part