Final training season of this year is on Thursday 14th September, starting at 6:30. Plans thereafter will be posted on this website. It is likely we will get together again in October tbc. 
TRAINING TOMORROW NIGHT !! 4/9. STARTING AT 6:30 SHARP. BOYS WITH INJURIES ARE NOT EXPECTED TO TRAIN IF THEY NOTIFY ME ASAP PLEASE. 
The last 4 weeks have been a period of mix results. On the whole our difficulty in playing competitively away from home has tainted our success in gaining Super League status in the U13 division for next year. 

Our dominance and better quality of play against South Melbourne counted for little as we lost too many competitions in key areas of our game, especially defending as a team. We were beaten by a determined team that played hard and took their chances.

Our best performance of the season away at Richmond was the kind of play you dream of seeing as a coach. Quick, decisive, competitive and game smart. 2-0 up at half time thanks to Mitch who played a blinder. He has contributed beyond our expectations since leaving Boxhill mid season. Many should look at Mitch as a great example of working hard on and off the pitch. He gives it his all.

The second half was a different story with changes in personnel at half time. Richmond came on strong, putting their big strong boys in midfield. We soaked up much pressure but conceded an unnecessary goal when we failed to close down the midfield bringing the ball in from deep. An umarked Richmond player outside the box let a shot fly to see it land in the top left corner. We fought back well but a chance in a 100 shot cleared Richards hands in the dying minutes. 2-2. Well played Rylie, Mitch, Andrew P, Ashley and Joey.

Boxhill we all know about. Thankfully, Whitehorse losing at home  guaranteed at least a play off spot for Monash. A bit of good fortune abd playing by the rules.

Poor application at training the week before playing Bulleen, with many kids failing to attend both nights for a variety of reasons set us up for a fall. Against Bulleen we simply did not show up. A different set of kids with a mixed set of desire to play led to our poor first performance, where we should have been 5-0 down. A change of tactics and better contests in midfield gave some hope of respect. Fine performances from Ricardo, Ashley, Josh, Adrian and Mikey allowed us to take the game to Bulleen. We created a couple of half chances but we didn't look like scoring. A shame to finish the season in that fashion but we take some clear messages from it.

1. If we want to be as successful as we are capable of, we must work harder as a team. Key players cannot go AWOL because it is not their day.

2. Whilst eveyone in this curent sqaud is in the box seat for selection next year, NO place is guaranteed on the basis of our performance against Bulleen. Super League will be as tough as that every week. We will be looking at new players during trials for every position on the park. I want to be a transparent as possible with my plans for next year.

3. I will be taking much more involvement in developing our game strategy whilst at training. Our team must know what they are to do when in attack and in defence. Each player will have responsibilities at every stage during the game. I will also be developing specific skills training, held in small groups to work on control, passing and heading ! They will be 20 minute classes held at the beginning of every Tuesday. I will be working on each kid in at least one area.

Finally, let's remember WE MADE SUPER LEAGUE. Thanks to every parent who gave so much of their time and support. You have been fantastic when supporting from the side lines. Thanks to Kim for his water tight admin throughout the year, thanks to Steve for bringing in some discipline at training and for being on the same page when it comes to making our kids technically good. So let's enjoy it and onwards and upwards. 

If any parent needs to chat to me abot anything, please give me a call after 5:30 pm any night. Cheers