Still Standing – three teams march on
Another fantastic weekend of footy for the GIANTS completed. Yep GWS had a win, but for them the season is over, for us it rolls on. This weekend saw the under 19s play at Blacktown and the Ressies compete at Henson Park. Two very good wins, and some very good players return.
The 19s
Starting with the under 19s, what a game, what a season. The group has performed like legends, overcoming injury and player availability the group has maintained belief. They play Manly footy, they scrap and claw their way to victory; we love em’.
It is a big ask for the group to change divisions and win. The Premiers did it last season and the competition could not believe it. Now the 19s are fighting to repeat that feat. Like the Senior team they were not expected to be playing in September … but they are. While they played at below their best they refused to allow defeat; and they hung on for a win. As they reflect on the performance they must know they can improve significantly, the talls can dominate and the ball muse can certainly improve. However despite that they had ATTITUDE and BELIEF. In finals these two things are gold. A single point won the game and that is all you need. They now have a week of rest which will benefit those playing injured. It is hard to list players in a such a determined team effort, but Burke, Parker and the cameos from Tommy Mac were highlights. However, the following must also be highlighted:
- Billy, 8kgs lighter and his dribble goal late in the game was a cracker
- Jack HB who stepped up and his holding the ball tackle after a long chase saved a certain goal
- Nathan jolly and his determination to hold his grabs at crucial times in our forward fifty, chewed up the clock and put us in a position to win the game.
Finally, after a spray given to the four players who wandered in late and missed the half time meeting, it was decided to drop one of them, not only to make a statement to the group, who know how important team rules are to us. That also allowed us to bring in a barn storming tommy mac, who only the day before, after not being named in the side was passed fit to play and in the opinion of the coaches and leadership team, had to be in, Wristy found himself on the emergency list, a very, very tough call but one made for the club, the way he handled that shows how far he has come and what a true clubman and team player he is. He gets his go, in two weeks time and we know he will be doing everything right from here on in as will the whole squad.
The group only have to display the same determination and lift their performance by a few percentage points across the board and they will be staring at successive flags; drop off a few points of effort and they face a season that can be called brave … but unsuccessful. They have placed themselves in a position to go back to back with a promotion to a higher competition. As a Club: we believe.
Ressies
A couple of good ins, a brave midfield and an inspired Porter and they are still standing. Wests, believed they could win; but their season is over. Big Dog (see left) was everywhere, Pilat was a running machine and Jared ‘P-Man’ stepped up after BJ went down in the warm up. In a fiery encounter with a vocal support provided by the players and supporters of the Club they won. At times they looked like they would win by 40, but Wests fought and tackled and kept themselves in the game. Robbo and Tommy Beckett were sparkling with skills and effort not reflecting their journey back from the long term injured list. Paully Fabro battled manfully but needed support and the back 6 will have to get tighter to keep going and press for the flag they want. Spider was strong in the contest all day. They have the skill and we have the determination, we just need more talk to bring the effort to bear.
No group of players have more determination and fire then this group, and the tour into the finals actions continues. The opposition must wonder if they have to bring a gun to the game if they want to stop the tsunami from the Beaches.
Overall
Some of the players must be pressing for selection in the Seniors and that creates the most wonderful pressure on Coach Brain as he contemplates the efforts of Robbo, Tommy B and Atko while Spider is clearly pressing for a spot as a combative tall. Similarly the 19s have players pressing for the Seniors in Parker and McCaffrey.
This has been an unbelievable season where adversity keeps trying to get in the way. Mitch D, broke his wrist in a freak accident the week of the finals. BJ did his back in the warm up, and the list of other injuries is extensive, Robbo broken leg, Tommy Beckett burns, Killa, AC joint, Koch AC joint, Nathan B Hamstring, Sammy Halder … and the list rolls on … but so do the victories.
We face another do or die match for the Ressies and the Seniors face Pennant Hills to win a ticket straight through to the finals this weekend. It is important to be clear … Manly GIANTS play hard high pressure football and the Maroon and white army love it.
MAROON AND WHITE – STILL STANDING
Last Modified on 02/09/2014 15:26