Our weekend kicked off on Saturday with Lachie Gilchrist from our Under 10's leading the Senior team out as Co-captain. With his Mum, Fiona watching on from the car, and with both Mitcham and Mooroolbark players lined up either side of the banner, it was an emotional moment for everyone at the ground. A huge thank you to Gavin Ward for making this happen. You can help the Gilchrist family by clicking on the link below.
Donate at: https://chuffed.org/project/fight-for-fee
BIG THANK YOU to our resident photographers Graham Bradtke and Aly Waters for capturing the moment check out a short Video @
https://youtu.be/ISi9jWn4j8A
Under 8 Yellow (Coach: Josh McConnell)
The U8 Mitcham Yellow team had a terrific hit out against a strong Montrose team. Although only having 9 players this week, the young tigers still proved more than a handful for their opponents (who had 13 playing). The tigers were dominant in the middle and regularly won the ball out of the centre and were able to convert many goals through their quick and clean entry into the forward line. The back line stood up to the pressures of having numerous opposition loose players to contend with, quickly clearing the ball from defence and saving many scores with marks on the goal line. The entire team should be very proud of their efforts. Our Mitcham JFC medal winner this week went to Lorenz Klinger-Horsburgh, who was outstanding with his winning of the ball and his linking up with his team mates through effective handballs. (Great game Lorenz!) The Buffet Hut Indian restaurant award went to Charlie "chopper" Wilson - who was brilliant overhead all game and gave us plenty of dash all over the ground. The Panelan's award went to James Watt who was fantastic in the ruck - providing many hit outs to our advantage, also scoring a few lovely long goals.
Under 8 Black (Coach: Jeff Kane)
Today our boys played a great game against a skillful Norwood team. The boys are starting to play in their positions more and more and it’s becoming apparent where they are most suited to playing. Cooper, Ned and Rishi are our small forwards and all the boys played most of this game in the forward half with all 3 kicking goals. The boys are great little small forwards who can run, mark and kick and we will be seeing this combo working together more and more. Tarran is becoming a great centre clearance player kicking the ball well with and finishing with some great goals today. His twin brother Morgan is one of our best defensive players and both boys played a great game today. The combination of Morgan and Archer in the backline has also been a great combination we have discovered as the season has progressed. Norwood is a skillful team and really pushed our boys all day. Joshua played exceptionally well, as did Roy and Joel. Harrison has showed that he has learned a lot from training and he put what he has learned to the test today getting to the ball first and kicking the ball long. Happy with all the boys’ effort today! Our best player today winning the medal was Lewis for his great efforts in the ruck. Joel was also among our best today and he was also recognised by the other team winning the Norwood medal for our best player on the park. Other good players included Morgan, Tarran, Cooper, Archer, Roy, Joshua and Ned, who all won awards for their match performances today. Well-done boys
Under 9 Yellow (Coach: Mark Butler)
In a throw back to yesteryear, the boys got to experience proper Melbourne winter footy against a previously all-conquering Lysterfield team on their home deck. With Cooper Edwards our fearless leader for the day and a great week on the track under the watchful eye of Assistant Coach Mark Wilson, we were ready and well prepared. With the wet and slippery conditions, we were determined to be first to the footy and back each other up. This was our first opportunity to play on a full size ground and the boys loved the space that this created. I was really pleased to see all the boys carry out team rules outlined before the game and show such determination and fight for the full 4 quarters. Will Serong was full of run and skill, but also took a game-high 6 marks. He was a deserved winner of the medal. James Wilson was composed and pushed himself all game to maximise his input for the team and was the worthy recipient of the 2 brothers cafe voucher. Tyson Darmody had his best game and relished the wide-open spaces, as did Jackson Doherty who showed class all day and Heath Fox who was just so clean in the slippery conditions. These boys all took away a Panelans Sundae voucher. That being said, it was a tremendous team effort with all boys playing vital roles for the team. Well-done Tiges, a great performance.
Under 9 Black (Coach: Peter Ajani)
Mitcham Black under 9s played a speedy Basin side in one of our best games so far. Led by Felix and LeBron, the team played a very good game in wintery conditions. Heaps of good players with goals kicked by Charlie, Felix, Lucas, Noah and more. Great games by Noah and Steve earned them them the Mitcham Medal. Well-done boys for a much improved overall effort.
Under 10 (Coach: Bard Aujard)
Today saw the Under 10’s play Rowville at Koonung Reserve, with the weather holding out for us, the boys played good hard football, the teamwork amongst all the players is becoming fantastic and making it harder and harder every week to determine awards.
Goals: Ryan O 2, Lachie, Christian
Awards: Will, Rupert and Ryan O picked up the Shapes Sharpshooter Award
Under 11 (Coach: Sandi Marini)
Today we came against Forest hill at home. 3rd and 4th place came together in a befitting contest in wet and slippery conditions. Solid contributions from the onset put The Zebras on the back foot. We controlled territory most of the day with the visitors occasionally exploding from the middle but could not expose us. Winning tough was the highlight of the day. Happy to go into the week off in good form.
Todays best: George, Hudson, Xavier, Luke, Liam, Ned, and James.
Final Score: Mitcham 4.7.31 d Forest Hill 1.2.8
Under 12 (Coach: Jason Philactides)
What a great game of footy today! Donvale really challenged us and they had a small lead at half time. However the boys regrouped and came out firing in the 3rd quarter and never looked like losing, dominating the 3rd and 4th quarters. Anything is possible with the boys this year, as long as they listen to instructions. The instructions were simple today, man up and do what ever you have to in order to keep the ball moving forward. Jack was brilliant today moving the ball forward and on countless occasions kicked the ball off the ground gaining valuable ground. Jack is having a fantastic season providing plenty of run and leadership off the half back flank. Liam's game today was littered with 1 per centers. Every contest Liam got to he made an impact whether it was smothering the ball or putting pressure on his opponent. I am really pleased with the progress in Liam's footy over the course of the season. Well done Jack and Liam.
Goals: Nathan 2, Jack 1, and Luca 1.
Final score: Mitcham 4.9.33 d Donvale 2.2.14
Under 12 Girls (Coach: Ruby Schneider)
Today the U12 Girls played Healsville at Walker Park. The game started in light rain and Healsville jumped out of the blocks with three easy goals and our girls were a bit lackluster in their effort. However after quarter time, our girls rallied by some great tackling by Riley, and found the intensity we needed. We were able to hold them to one goal in the second. We asked for the same effort for the rest of the game and they did not disappoint. The tackling, pressure and ball movement was the best we have seen in a number of weeks. Whilst we went down, we actually kept the opposition goalless in the second half and were a bit unlucky not to score a couple of goals ourselves. We did outscore them after half time! We were very proud of the girls’ efforts today! Riley, Steph, Lucy D and Bianca had great games and Holly had her best game of the year.
Final Score: Healsville 4.7.31 d Mitcham 0.5.5
Under 13 (Coach: Mark Ross)
The U13's ventured out to Ferntree Gully to take on the second placed team. Essentially it was a carbon copy of our round 2 clash, in which we were totally out played. Even though our opposition was very good it was disappointing that we could not follow simple instruction in "manning up" and running with our opponents. Awards went to Declan, Wil Drake and Stevo who rucked for the first time in the last quarter. We now have a week off to regroup after 2 below par performances and the only way to turn it around is to work extra hard on the training track.
Final Score: Ferntree Gully 15.9.99 d Mitcham 0.0.0
Under 14 (Coach: Shane Dickson)
The U14 team had their first win for the year, beating Lysterfield by 34 points in wet & cold conditions. All the boys contributed throughout the day & it was great to see them get some reward for their effort over the last couple of weeks. Julian Hopkins & Bailey were strong in the air & took plenty of marks whilst Jarrod, Jac and Josh tackled well & provided plenty of pressure on the ball carrier. Rylan had a strong game in the middle & provided plenty of run, ably supported by Corey, Josh & Bailey. Six goals were scored throughout the day with Ryan Lynch, Bailey Hunter & Julian Hopkins each kicking 2 goals – A fantastic team effort!
Note - There was a 30-minute delay in play this afternoon when the opposition boundary umpire had concerns regarding epilepsy & a heart condition, resulting in an ambulance being called & arriving on the ground. The boys still played out the 4 quarters, with the half time & ¾ time breaks being shortened to get us back on track. The boundary umpire from the opposition is in a stable condition in hospital, which is great news as everyone was very concerned for him today. Thanks to John Adcroft, Shane Dickson & Craig Giles who provided plenty of support & assistance whilst waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
Award Winners – Rylan Leitner & Jarrod Cumming
Best: Rylan Leitner, Julian Hopkins, Jarrod Cumming, Josh Melville, Bailey Hunter & Corey Dickson.
Goals: Ryan Lynch (2), Julian Hopkins (2) & Bailey Hunter (2).
Final Scores: Mitcham 6.10.46 d Lysterfield 2.0.12
Under 15 Girls (Coach: Luke Smith)
The sun was shining the birds were singing. Ahhhh not, last time it rained that hard some bloke with a beard and sandals started gathering pairs of animals and shouting, “who the hell knows where the Ark plans are? The most bestest looking side ever to play any sport ever took on the Mount Everlyn Ducks (I’m pretty sure that's what they are, I might be wrong *shrug*) With the obligatory warm up of 12 selfies, 16 Instagram posts and the 33 second wait for that anticipated “like” from that cute boy in year 10 and all was in readiness. On the semi-serious side, the girls were really switched on as the leadership group broke the team into groups and actually spoke to one and other about footy stuff, it was really impressive to see the girls having meaningful conversation about what they were going to do once we took to the field. The rain didn’t stop and neither did the web-footed tigresses’ they were relentless, first to the ball, fearless and jumped the ducks and had a 2-goal lead at quarter time. After that we were never headed going on to win by a couple of goals. Goal scorers were Lexy 1 and Alice 1, Best players Zoe, Ella, Liv C, Sally, Tayla, Lexy, Ellie F, Jess, Chelsea, Tara, Tiana, Tiff (get well soon), Georgie, Molly, Alana, Bridget, Ally, Wendy, Emma, Cat, Alice and Enola. Best Make-up, tan, and hair straightener application was abandoned due to “Frizzy” weather conditions. One of the dilemmas of Girl Power football will be resolved during the week. The EFL has indicated the half time break will be ten minutes longer and known as the half time re-application of product time to enable the game to continue in its “pretty” state in the second half. Thanks to Anthony for picking me up on my grammatically inappropriate lexicon in the third quarter. Next weekend we don’t have a game, so this Friday night we will be having Pizza instead of training so get down to the club at 6 for pizza a team bonding, parents are most welcome and can even have a drink if you are so inclined. If you can’t make Friday night Pizza please let me or Di know for catering purposes.
Final Score: Mitcham 2.5.17 d Mt Evelyn 0.3.3
Under 17 (Coach: Cam Horsey)
We travelled down the road to Box Hill to take on Blackburn in what has always been a bit of a bogey game for us, as in the past they have been the deciding game in finals as well as home and away games. The coaching staff couldn’t stress how important it was to win the ball out of the middle as the weather could play a major factor during the day. As the game got started the rain came down, so getting our hands on the ball became even more critical. We started slowly and Blackburn certainly brought their game with them today. They were first at the contest and we were caught a bit off guard. Our defence stepped up and stopped any chance of Blackburn causing too much damage. We worked hard to get the ball forward and we were away. The scoring wasn’t heavy but the signs were there that we could take control of the game. The second was a different story as we looked a bit lost as Blackburn worked hard through the middle and opened us up a bit. We looked a bit second rate with our ball use and our manning up in defence. We will have to tighten that up if we want to be the top team this year. At the main break the boys got a bit of a spray and they reacted perfectly. Our mid’s started to get first use and our forwards opened it up and we started to make a stamp on the game. Our pressure was better and our ball use was cleaner. I still think we didn’t use the ball as well as we have, as it was a bit one dimensional without using our switch play or run and carry which has been opening up teams. The last quarter was good and probably our best as we controlled the footy better, but in the conditions I think we were just on par with our efforts. Mentions go to a few guys who worked extremely hard all day, Stinger, Zebby (the giant killer), Maxxy, Jaydos, Timmy, Jimmy N, Hoppo, Horse, Jules and Kev. Let’s keep this winning feeling going. You know how bitter it tastes when you lose. Training on Tuesday will be a critical one for us, as the break is finally upon us. We need to work on a few things and also run out some of the aches and pains. It couldn’t come at a better time, as the injury list is getting a bit long. By the time we get back our list will be strengthened with a few more ins. See you boys Tuesday. Go Tiges!!!!!!!
Final Score: Mitcham 12.7.79 d Blackburn 4.7.31
Last Modified on 04/12/2019 13:53