Round 4: Eastern Warriors v Carrum
by Pogz
This week’s clash with Carrum carried extra significance, played as part of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round. For the first time, the Warriors took the field in the club’s new Indigenous-design guernsey – a jumper that looked fantastic and will now become the side’s clash strip moving forward.
Both clubs fielded 18 players with no bench, and an agreement was struck to keep numbers even on the ground throughout the match. True to the unpredictable nature of Over 35s football, that arrangement lasted all of two minutes before Carrum brought on a player from their 50s ranks.
We love the Carrum “spirit of the game” – bullshit, it’s win-at-all-costs. Carrum took the aggressive route while the Warriors elected to play it straight. Coach Pogz noted that the club may take a different approach next time around.
On the scoreboard, the Warriors were competitive throughout, kicking a goal in each of the first three quarters through Jason, Safi and Ryan. But it came at a cost. Ryan picked up his second black eye in as many games to go with a leg injury, while Safi’s debut for the club ended in heartbreak with a broken collarbone – the third or fourth break suffered by the playing group this season alone. As quickly as the Warriors recruit new players, injuries continue to take their toll.
The result didn’t go the Warriors’ way, but the effort from every player on the field was there for all to see.
Round 4 Awards
- WOW Award: Obie
- TAP Award: Hakan
- Rubber Chicken: Craig (for missing a goal from a metre out)
Round 5: Eastern Warriors v Mordialloc
by Pogz
Conditions were cool and sunny, with the ground at Mordialloc in great condition – a good-sized, VFL-style oval. Players arrived in good spirits, sensing the club’s first win of the season might finally be within reach, provided Mordialloc (who had the bye in their other grade) didn’t stack their side.
Pre-match preparations hit a small snag when Junior arrived with the speaker to set the mood, only for the Warriors to discover they had no footballs to warm up with. A trip next door to the Mordialloc rooms – where the music was also pumping – saw the opposition kindly lend a couple of balls, with half an hour still to go before the first bounce.
Coaches handed down the game plan: forwards to attack toward the pavilion end, defenders to kick out, with a tricky crosswind blowing at 45 degrees across the ground.
First Quarter
Junior won the toss and elected to kick toward the pavilion end with the breeze. Despite getting plenty of the football, the Warriors couldn’t make it count – partly due to the wind, and partly due to some hesitation about committing to the pavilion end as instructed. The Warriors trailed 1.1 to 0.2 at quarter time.
Second Quarter
More of the same followed, but this time the conditions worked in the Warriors’ favour – whether by luck or design. Heading into half time, the margin was just 12 points, 2.1 to 0.2, and the game was very much there to be won.
At the main break, players were upbeat despite the game not unfolding to plan. The message from the bench was simple: defend one end, attack the other.
Third Quarter
Unfortunately, the third term told the same story as the first. Mordialloc’s run and carry took over and the Warriors found themselves chasing the game. Ryan was forced off with a quad complaint, and Jeff went down to a high tackle that went unpunished. Mordialloc piled on four goals to extend their lead to six goals at the final change.
Coach Pogz delivered the first spray of the season – hopefully the last – as frustration boiled over and the message turned to changing tactics. Captain Junior addressed the group before sending the team back out.
Final Quarter
And then, the turnaround. The Warriors started playing the kind of football they’d been training for – dash, teamwork and run that was a pleasure to watch. With the result seemingly out of reach, the side had nothing to lose and everything to gain.
The midfield, led by gun Kriso, kept driving the ball forward – Kriso was getting plenty of the pill (he could have had even more, twice shepherded off the ball by his own teammate Goldie). The forward line capitalised when Ryan, kicking on one leg, snapped a goal that propelled him into the lead for the club’s season goal-kicking award. With Junior now repelling the ball from a half-back flank, the Warriors’ opportunities continued to flow, and Bomber – back from injury – was brought off mid-quarter with his job done.
The final term went back and forth right until the siren, with the Warriors winning the quarter 2.1 to 1.1 – a much better effort, even if the overall result had already been decided.
Round 5 Awards
- WOW Award: Kriso
- TAP Award: Junior
- Rubber Chicken: Goldie (for shepherding his own teammate off the ball)
Special Mentions
Our midfield of Obie, Kriso, Paul and Jules were outstanding. Welcome back to vice-captain Bomber, who was truly missed. Captain Junior was inspirational, and Jeff was a rock in the backline. Thanks also to Don (Jeff’s brother) for his guest appearance all the way from Barwon Heads – always welcome in the Warriors family. This was the first time since 1999 the brothers had played together and Mum was on hand to see it! (see pic below)
From Pogz and Pete: thank you all for your efforts week in, week out. It’s tough going with a team that’s new and inexperienced and depleted by injuries – please stick with us as we continue to evolve as a footy side.
Pogz – Author
