As a prelude, Rosy , maybe you might consider creating a junior section in the football section. As the TAC season opened today, and the carnival coming in June/July, maybe we canput all our thoughts together in the one section.
Anyway, the expectation today was to look at both Murphy and Dowler, and the new boys for the Chargers. Warnock and basically a completely new group of kids for Sandy. Emmett Dunne and Wayne Johnston assisting Sandy coach Gary Colling. Rohan Welsh for the Chargers.
Murphy, I found out when I got to the ground, was in Ireland with the AIS/Academy so I wasn't going to see much of him.
Given the fact it was a windy day, for 3 quarters Dowler looked ordinary. He couldn't judge the ball, wouldn't put himself in front, and consequently wasn't taking any marks. The Charger midfield is pretty much a new group of kids from last year. This year's group would have played together in the U16s but didn't seem to have the same dominance.
At 3/4 time the game was locked up. Warnock had shown that if you led to the northern side of the Oakleigh ground you had the wind supporting your shots at goal. Rohan Welsh, the ex-Carlton player and Charger coach told his players that they had to kick to that corner of the ground, and that Dowler had to lead directly into that corner.
The last quarter saw the Chargers play quickly and directly to that designated corner. Dowler led quickly to that corner in front of his opponent. Bang, 2 or 3 goals to Dowler in the space of 10 minutes, the game was over. He kicked another later on. The Chargers won easily.
Noticeable players:
Oakleigh Chargers
Beau Dowler, 12, 192, 84, as my friend Mark Pickett said, You'd think it was an 18yo Gary Lyon playing. Moves like him, kicks like him.
Michael Stewart, 14, 194, 95, fought hard around the ground all match.
Rees Thomas, 18, 193, 81, did some really nice things but was patchy.
Myles Krakouer, 9, 180, 74, dyed blonde hair, did some nice things.
Robin Nahas, 2, 175, 65, hard worker that needs to put on weight.
Nick Hildebrandt, 4, 185, 81, good size and alot of hard running.
Sam Pickett, 28, 180, 74, son of my friend Mark, nicely took out a Sandy midfielder.
Sandy Dragons
Rob Warnock, 34, 204, 77, easily best big man on the ground. But, he has only put on 2kg from last year. Very skinny.
Tomi Johnston, 2, 174, 60, Wayne's son, did some nice things.
Joshua Kennedy, 6, 186, 86, good size, runs hard, reads the ball well.
Daniel Gribbin, 11, 188, 94, did some nice things.
Simon Phillips, 35, 172, 69, has really improved from last year. Excellent pace, big ball getter, reads and uses the ball extremely well. Reminded me of Alan McKellar as a junior footballer and in his 1st senior year.
Nice to be able to walk away from the game, calmly and coolly, without frustration or anxiety. I recommend junior football as a therapy to all Tiger supporters.
Note: I have not mentioned the name of the sponsors of the Victorian U18 comp. If they choose to no longer sponsor us, then I'm not mentioning their name.
Anyway, the expectation today was to look at both Murphy and Dowler, and the new boys for the Chargers. Warnock and basically a completely new group of kids for Sandy. Emmett Dunne and Wayne Johnston assisting Sandy coach Gary Colling. Rohan Welsh for the Chargers.
Murphy, I found out when I got to the ground, was in Ireland with the AIS/Academy so I wasn't going to see much of him.
Given the fact it was a windy day, for 3 quarters Dowler looked ordinary. He couldn't judge the ball, wouldn't put himself in front, and consequently wasn't taking any marks. The Charger midfield is pretty much a new group of kids from last year. This year's group would have played together in the U16s but didn't seem to have the same dominance.
At 3/4 time the game was locked up. Warnock had shown that if you led to the northern side of the Oakleigh ground you had the wind supporting your shots at goal. Rohan Welsh, the ex-Carlton player and Charger coach told his players that they had to kick to that corner of the ground, and that Dowler had to lead directly into that corner.
The last quarter saw the Chargers play quickly and directly to that designated corner. Dowler led quickly to that corner in front of his opponent. Bang, 2 or 3 goals to Dowler in the space of 10 minutes, the game was over. He kicked another later on. The Chargers won easily.
Noticeable players:
Oakleigh Chargers
Beau Dowler, 12, 192, 84, as my friend Mark Pickett said, You'd think it was an 18yo Gary Lyon playing. Moves like him, kicks like him.
Michael Stewart, 14, 194, 95, fought hard around the ground all match.
Rees Thomas, 18, 193, 81, did some really nice things but was patchy.
Myles Krakouer, 9, 180, 74, dyed blonde hair, did some nice things.
Robin Nahas, 2, 175, 65, hard worker that needs to put on weight.
Nick Hildebrandt, 4, 185, 81, good size and alot of hard running.
Sam Pickett, 28, 180, 74, son of my friend Mark, nicely took out a Sandy midfielder.
Sandy Dragons
Rob Warnock, 34, 204, 77, easily best big man on the ground. But, he has only put on 2kg from last year. Very skinny.
Tomi Johnston, 2, 174, 60, Wayne's son, did some nice things.
Joshua Kennedy, 6, 186, 86, good size, runs hard, reads the ball well.
Daniel Gribbin, 11, 188, 94, did some nice things.
Simon Phillips, 35, 172, 69, has really improved from last year. Excellent pace, big ball getter, reads and uses the ball extremely well. Reminded me of Alan McKellar as a junior footballer and in his 1st senior year.
Nice to be able to walk away from the game, calmly and coolly, without frustration or anxiety. I recommend junior football as a therapy to all Tiger supporters.
Note: I have not mentioned the name of the sponsors of the Victorian U18 comp. If they choose to no longer sponsor us, then I'm not mentioning their name.
