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U8.5's Vs Byron Magpies
The U8.5 mixed team travelled to a windy Cavanbah Centre to take on the Byron Magpies.
It was great to see how far the team has come. Last year in the corresponding game it was all one way traffic to Byron. Returning this year, with a few extra recruits, the team was more than able to hold their own.
A couple of late withdrawals meant we had eight players taking the field with a couple of Byron extras. The kids took this in their stride and put in a stellar performance.
Things started a bit slowly with Tom H putting in a contender for “miss of the year” – crashing the ball into the post, unmarked from a metre out! He quickly found his radar to finish as one of our best for the day.
Not to be outdone - Archer then kicked a magnificent goal – just a shame it was through the Byron goals rather than ours! However once he had the taste for it he followed up with a couple more – through the right goals!
Across the ground everyone was competing hard. Hugh, Alex and Kelaya excelled when they were down back, with some desperate goal line defense. Leroy, Jerome and Brayden showed their skills in the midfield winning the majority of the clearances when they were in the zone to keep the ball moving forward.
It was a tight, tough game all day, and I am reliably informed that the two teams couldn’t be separated.
Awards – Tom H, Archer and Jerome
U10.5's Vs Byron Magpies
Whatever the swans 10.5’s had with their breakfast cereal today must have been pretty good, because the boys burst out of the blocks at a 100 miles an hour and never looked back. Keegan kicked things off by winning the coin toss – his reward as captain for the day, for setting a great example at training.
Even the tricky cool breeze couldn’t slow these swans down, although it may have slowed down the spectators. The ball moved from one end of the ground to the other so quickly it was hard to keep up. Was it under 10’s out there or u16s?
Django was on fire up forward, slotting 4 goals in the second quarter alone, and getting the ‘coaches votes’ for an encouragement-award-worthy performance. Bowie was almost impassable, and Syd was showing his usual aerial and intercept skills. The whole team were super focused - chasing, tackling, and smothering, and then doing it all again. It was great to see Sol gaining confidence and having a bounce while weaving around (to create a bit of confusion for the opposition). Dean received the second encouragement award for putting into action goals he set at training, putting himself in good positions and taking a couple of marks.
After the game the coach was able to get a few words from some boys at the post match press conference. Dean said, “I think our pressure was good today and we got the goals.” Lachlan said he went pretty well “I think I was putting good pressure on – making them kick a bit quicker than they were intending, because they didn’t have enough time.” The boys said the wind was definitely a factor.
Footy was the winner again, and the boys sang the team song was the same enthusiasm as they played.
Under 11.5 Vs Byron & Under 11.5s Vs Ballina
This weekend the girls had a double header against Byron and Ballina at Byron.
The first 2 quarters were against Byron and the Lismore girls got going quickly with 2 goals before Byron had a chance to even touch the ball.
Larni was dominant in the centre and Djidji had another great game all over the ground. Lilah picked up many kicks in defence by being in front of her opponent and Sally fought hard in contests.
The strong wind made kicking into it difficult as we swapped ends but the girls adapted and added a number of goals before the end of the game. Alysha one of them.
Next came a tall Ballina team that was a closer game ,the girls tackled well ,Nahla,Katrina,Satira.Hadleigh took some great overhead marks and Neva a good mark and goal.
Mihaela, Elsie and Charlee repelled many Ballina forward attacks while Lismore added a few more late goals.
Another great effort and our game is continuing to improve week by week.
Tweed next week.
Under 14.5 Ballina Swans v Byron Magpies
This week we travelled to windy Byron Bay, to play the combined Gold Coast players stuck out of the border bubble.
We had the wind the quarter unfortunately unable to put a descent score on the board. Second quarter Byron came out and blew us off the park kicking 8 goals to nothing. The third and last quarter we both pretty even. Lochlan, Jayden and Jack worked tirelessly all game in the centre. Dante was fantastic again running off the wing and also in the centre. Josh was moved down back to assist Caleb and Kobi who were trying to lead our backline under constant pressure. Tom was great up forward sometimes being the only target. James Bazzana came off injured in the 3rd quarter leaving us with no one on the bench. Caleb came off in last injured yet again.
Tough game guys keep your heads high. Enjoy the break next weekend
Ballina Swans 3.3.21 Byron Bay 15.8.98
Goal kickers
Jayden 2
Tom 1
