Under 11's - 2nd Semi-Final
An excited Dockers team turned up at Mike Kenny Oval for our clash against the tough Westbrook Red side. After a slow start we found ourselves behind two goals before we could blink. This was the first time all year we were behind and there were quite a few nerves on the sideline.
Then, as always, the team clicked into gear. A great long range goal from Luke started our momentum. At quarter time we came off at 2.1 to 1.1 down. A very promising start in the second quarter saw us kick 3 fairly quick goals and the sideline nerves began to settle. Another 2 unanswered goals in the 3rd quarter and we were home. The fourth quarter was a goal-less quarter and the team moved into the Grand final!
The team spread the ball well when needed and in the end our all round skill was too much for the Westbrook side who didn't score a goal after the first quarter. Whether we play Westbrook or Hornsby in the final it’s going to be an exciting and close match. Congratulations to the whole team. Enjoy the week off, rest the body and practice our skills
Under 13's - 2nd Semi-Final
The 2nd Semi-Final was expected to be a tough contest, and it did not disappoint. Our boys started off strong, having the majority of the possession with the ball spending considerable time in our forward half. Luck did not appear to be on our side, some ‘freakish’ bounces of the ball, and solid opposition defence limited our first quarter scoring. St Ives made the most of their luck, seizing a couple of goals against the play to take a slender lead going in to the first break.
The boys came out hard in an attempt to turn their fortunes around, taking the fight to their opposition – stunning them with their intensity and determination. Kurtys began to carve up the centre and assert his dominance, Dale the ever faithful stalwart of the backline rebounding play sending the Dockers into attack. Jeremy fought hard in the ruck and following up with hard second and third efforts.
The Saints couldn’t extend their lead, our boys remaining in touch throughout. Josh had a hard day at the office, having to come off with a bloody nose sustained during a heavy clash for the ball. Dale lifted another notch and soon proved that he meant business, sending an opposition player into orbit with a solid bump.
After sitting out the rest of the quarter, Josh came back on determined to continue where he left off, unfortunately for him his day just got worse with yet another head clash – forcing him to sit out the rest of the game. Jeremy also succumbed to illness and required some time in the hands of medical staff to recover before his desire to continue saw him return to the field to finish out the game at centre half forward.
The boys didn’t give up but unfortunately time ran out for them. A combination of several factors contributed to defeat, none of which were critical or cannot be easily turned around – ultimately though, luck just wasn’t on their side on the day. There were some positives to take away from the contest, and a definite belief amongst all that the team, with plenty of grit, will get past this week's Preliminary Final against Mosman and take revenge against St Ives, claiming bragging rights in the Grand Final.
All the boys should be proud of their achievements throughout the season, all have improved their skills and confidence, they have played as a team, they have taken the hard times in their stride and turned them into positives. Fantastic effort boys, you have done yourselves proud.
Under 16's - 2nd Semi Final
A very strange game in many respects last Sunday, but there can be no disputing that the Dockers were in the end outplayed by a worthy opponent. Having said that, there were positives to take away from the result, and a definite belief amongst the supporters that if the team can get past this week's Preliminary Final against Baulko they can challenge the Swans in a Grand Final.
Unlike most of our games this year, the Dockers charged out of the blocks in the first quarter, winning the clearances comprehensively, and kicking the first two goals. But then something went terribly, terribly wrong with the Swans completely dominating possession for the next 20 minutes of play, and kicking nine straight goals to have a 40‑point lead by halfway through the second quarter.
A team made of lesser stuff may have thrown in the towel at that point, but the Dockers responded well, with the moves of Ben O'Connell onto the Swans' key forward (who had kicked 6 goals in the first half hour if you don't mind!) and Josh Thompson into the midfield proving critical in restoring the balance.
Over the next 30 minutes of play the Dockers kicked four unanswered goals of their own, and with an ounce of luck in the 3rd quarter could have put themselves in a position to seriously challenge for the lead in the last term. As it was, the effort required to narrow the margin, and the lack of any players on the bench (with Kevin having succumbed to an ankle injury) meant we just ran out of legs in the final quarter, and conceded the last four goals.
Greg Martin was magnificent for the whole match, rucking virtually without a break, and throwing himself into everything. Jono, Seth and Liam settled after slow starts, and with Benny O, helped restore some respect to the scoreline with some outstanding defensive play. Jaryd, Dunny and Simon chimed in at regular intervals with some quality possessions, and Jeremy had one of his best games of the year, but in the end it proved a bridge too far to overcome the massive second quarter deficit.
With Nick and Kirky back on deck, and hopefully a few of those niggling injuries behind us, this will hopefully be the week when the boys stake their claim for premiership honours. There is no doubt the team deserves to be in the Grand Final, but next Sunday is about earning it.