Train like you play .. play like you train. Great footy adage – but a double edged sword if you don’t give it full commitment.
The Redlegs fitness and training commitment (or deficit) were exposed by a running Goorambat who stepped on the gas after quarter time and ran off into the gloom on a bitterly cold day at Redlegs Stadium.
The promise was encouraging in the first quarter. Against a strong northerly the Leggers were tenacious from the first bounce kicking to the Railway end. Rich Eddy won the ruck taps and the midfielders capitalised with Brendan “Varcs” Vercoe and Aaron Boulton giving ownership of the footy to Matt Elliot and Brendan Hamill up forward. Hammer had three early goals and shot with confidence. The Bats also played attacking footy-and kicked accurately, but good pressure from Ross “Rusty” McKinnon and Andrew Burke in the backline limited Goorambat’s opportunities.
Longwood led by 3 points at the first break, yet coach Matt Finch was not entirely satisfied. “We kicked 4 goals, but 2 of their 3 goals came from our poor turnovers. But you’ve shown you can match it with these guys!”
Unfortunately, Finchy’s call was not rewarded by his team.
One bloke who got it right was ex-player, Neil Brown who; standing by Harry’s Fire Drum, said “I’ve never known a northerly to be so cold”.
And an ill wind blows no good!!
Brownie’s observation was ominous. The Bats adapted to the slippery conditions and piled on the pace in the mud. Matt Elliot goaled in the first 30 seconds but a run of six unanswered goals by the Batters exposed the inability of Longwood to keep up. Another late one from Matt Elliot put the Leggers within 23 points at half-time but there was no warmth in the prospects of the next hour.
Major sponsor Doug Halsall of Halsall Fencing volunteered to be the umpires escort and also volunteered to get them a cup of tea and sandwiches at half-time. “The umps are doing ok and with a free cuppa they might do ok-er!” Doug said with a wink.
In the shed, Matt Finch said, “Let’s be realistic. A win will be a bonus but we must also look forward to finals six weeks from now as well as regain the tenacity we had at that first siren”.
Try as they might the Leggers just couldn’t put it together. Goorambat were a better team in the second half booting 9.7-61 to Longwood’s paltry 1.2-8.
Varcs maintained the rage but spoke of frustration later and Rich Eddy, with his light frame, is maturing into an experienced footballer. Scotty Challis must agree that blonds have more fun as he enjoyed good form while Dave Brain, Tom Wark and Ken Mankay did some good work.
From a supporter’s perspective, the wet tracks have revealed a bit of disappointment in a Redlegs team which has so much potential but with many not applying the heart that is required for success. It’s the nature of the beast that, with a “foreign legion”, it is extremely difficult to have good numbers on the training track but that doesn’t diminish the responsibility of a player to pull on a Red jumper and present for action in the best physical footy condition achievable.
The finals are coming and that will be a different ball game.
REDLEGS RESERVES ENIGMATIC
Again the Reserves gave us a good run for the money but equally give us the puzzle of enigmatic footy.
“Riddle me this”, said Batman’s arch enemy. At half-time Longwood trailed by 40 points after scoring 1.8, would you believe? The twos then came out and booted 6.2-38 to Goorambat 2.6-18 to lose by 20 points.
Team manager, Gordie Grant just said, “I shakes me bloody head again!”
Very frustrating when an opportunity to have a win over a top side slips by like that.
The Reserves have yet to confirm their position in the first semi but are working hard to put it together. Johnno Pert came back from the ones and his great form was poetry in motion in this early game. Many possessions and full return from each disposal. Perty is having a top year.
Bill Gilbee is enjoying his first season at Longwood, coming over from Yea and his ruck dominance in the second half gave the lift that was needed. Co-partner in “tap work” was not a plumber but the ever-reliable Dave Clarke, who is a Longwood legend!
Jamie “JD” Donovan took advantage of that feed to post two goals up forward when they were needed and Ashley Hodges loves the wetter tracks to be a vital cog in the team. Daniel Pratt was another to benefit from senior’s experience and Justin Sainsbury with Dale Sutherland put in the hard yards.
The Twos must work on consistency. That also can be practiced on the training track!
WAPAWARD
It’s a pearler when you catch old friends. Firstly, Kim Aramini was there with Kate on Saturday. Kate is from the Donovan family of Longwood footy while Kim is back from WA to catch up with old mates he played with at Longwood over 35 years ago. Kim arrived at Longwood with mate Phil Steers when they were in the army in 1972 with Darryl “Jock” Flintock. Phil and Gayle were also back at Redlegs stadium on a cold day. Kim had a nickname which is now politically incorrect but for those who may only remember his nickname it was along the lines of the scouts scarf knot called the woggle!
And did you see Joyce Elliot in the Melbourne paper last Tuesday. Joyce was featured as one of the oldest to have high grade “belts” in Taekwondo at age 72. Bill and Joyce were originals with the Redlegs in 1970, with Bill being the secretary on the club’s reformation.
Joyce was also passionate about the footy in those younger years .. once offering a tiring umpire a lift in the kid’s pusher to keep up with the game!
NEXT WEEK
This is a real litmus test for the Redlegs to prove their fairdinkumability to topple the Tatong Magpies. A great prelude to the finals and getting there, supporting your mates and winning the four points will get things back into focus.
Oh yes .. getting there. This game is to be PLAYED AT TATONG .. sorry to yell but I wanted your attention.
This is the return match from round 1 when the ’Pies ground was drought affected and they came to the stadium. No matter what the fixtures say, the Redlegs Footy and Netters go to Tatong on Satd’y 26.
MATCH STATS:
SENIORS
Longwood
Half-time 6.4-40
Final score 7.6-48
Goorambat
Half-time 10.3-63
Final score 19.10-124
Goal kickers:
Matthew Elliott 3, Brendon Hamill 3, Aaron Boulton 1
Better players:
Rich Eddy, Ross McKinnon, Brendan Vercoe, Scott Challis, Matthew Elliott, Brendan Hamill
RESERVES
Longwood
Half-time 1.8-14
Final score 7.10-52
Goorambat-
Half-time 8.6-54
Final score 10.12-72
Goal kickers
Jamie Donovan 2, Emmanuel Mallis 2, John Pert 1, Justin Sainsbury 1, Mark Challis 1
Better players
John Pert, Bill Gilbee, Ashley Hodges, Daniel Pratt, David Clarke, Justin Sainsbury.