Mitch needed special assistance early on, but once on deck, and ably assisted by Stu, soon had the boys looking like a well oiled machine and they soon proved that they were firing on all six cylinders.
Coming out strong in what was their best opening term of the year, the boys managed to score 4 goals leaving their opponents stunned and disheartened. The second quarter was much the same, outstanding defence from Harry and Mackenzie, supported well by Dale and Paddy kept the unlucky Mosman from creating too much work for the scorers. The centres were running hard as usual and delivering nicely to the forward setup, lead by Liam.
Even with the one-sided score, the emphasis at half-time was not to slacken off the effort and to finish the game off hard. To the credit of the Mosman boys, they continued the fight in the second half and scored a couple of goals for their efforts - they were down but not out. An unfortunate thigh injury to Paddy midway through the third term saw an early end to his game, hopefully he will be right to take his much deserved position on the field with the rest of his 'brothers' come Sunday.
The game all but over, our boys kept up the work rate and demonstrated the unity that they have developed throughout the course of the year - some great passages of run-on play, sequences of quick handballs, improvement in their contested possesions, second and third efforts...... their entire game. It was a real pleasure to watch these boys get on with the task at hand, and run out comfortable victors in the end.
This week will be no walk in the park, our boys can expect to be met hard and pushed all the way. The opposition created a few headaches for us only two weeks ago but the boys will be determined to reverse that result. Each and every one of them has the ability, courage and tenacity - together, working as one, they can accomplish what few have the opportunity to experience - Grand Final success.
At this late stage in the season, we would also like to congratulate every player from every team on a wonderful season, but in particular the Under 16's for achieving so much with very little on-field time. Despite the obvious disappointment, be proud of how far you have come. To the Under 11's, congratulations on being the first team through this season, thoroughly deserved - good luck in your endeavour to become this year's champions, hopefully together we can bring two 'flags' to the club on Sunday afternoon.
Finally we appreciate the support we have been given throughout the year and ask that you once again join us and the 11's at Macquarie Uni on Sunday to cheer home our boys, and recognise their acheivements.
Under 16's - Preliminary Final
A very disappointing end to what has been a tremendous year for the Under 16s. It only highlights the bitter irony when you look at the score from the Dockers' Under 13s Preliminary Final and see they romped home with a score of 12 goals 6 behinds. Had we done the same, instead of kicking 6 goals 12, we would have won our game by 20 points, and be preparing with them this week, and with the Under 11s, for a well-deserved Grand Final showdown with the Swans. (In fact 8 goals 10 would have done the job!)
It was a match of missed opportunities, but one thing that could not be faulted was the wholehearted effort the boys put in for the full four quarters. Many of them were carrying injuries or illness, or both, and with just one player to rotate on the bench compared to Baulko's 5, there was always the worry that if the game went down to the wire we would not have enough left in the tank to get over the line. And so it proved.
But it would be wrong to dwell on the negative when there are so many positive things to take away from season 2010.
Eleven of our squad of 22 were not Dockers in 2009, and seven of them had not played competitive Aussie Rules at all before this year. Notwithstanding the difficulties of putting together a new and inexperienced team, and even with the lack of regular game and practice time available to them (not to mention a horror run of injury and illness at season's end), the boys were able to win a minor premiership, and come within a couple of straight kicks of appearing in a Grand Final.
All of the players deserve an honourable mention:
Jeremy Hermon (1) – Munster is a pocket dynamo who just got better every week. To be able to play your best two games of the season in the finals when things are at their toughest, and the chips are down, says a lot about someone's character. Jeremy did that.
Simon Zaarour (2) – Forget the X Factor. Or the Y Factor for that matter. The Z Factor is what every team needs. Simon Le Bon produces moments of pure genius in just about every game he plays ‑ and that's what makes him such a pleasure to watch.
Lloyd Cuffe (3) – The Link gave us some of his very best footy this season, adding to his always committed approach with some excellent development of all-round skills. Lloydy is one of the Club's longest-serving players, and a true stalwart.
Chris Todorovski (4) – Christo is just starting to realise what he can become as an Aussie Rules footballer. As a small defender he created a real niche for himself in this team, and was rarely beaten one-on-one in the second half of the season.
Josh Thompson (5) – JT (no relation) has been a real leader within his age-group at the Dockers for a number of years now, and 2010 was no exception. He has an amazing ability to find the football, beat opponents, and get the team on the front foot.
James Dunn (6) – There is no other word to describe Outhouse but "freakish". With the work he has done on his kicking over the past year there is now quite simply nothing he cannot do on a footy field. Another outstanding season.
Kevin Li (9) – The Phantom had a horrible run of luck with injuries which deprived us of seeing him fulfil his tremendous potential. Fast and fearless, on the strength of just three games the coaches are licking their lips to see what Kev will become next season.
Tim Cordner (10) – Royce also had a bad run with his fitness this year, culminating in a season-ending injury in Round 14. It is no coincidence we did not win a game without him as TC is a handful for opposition defences, and knows how to find the goals.
Jaryd Mayne (11) – Lions (GF1) was one of our most consistent players this season, regularly racking up a mountain of quality possessions in the middle of the ground, and pushing forward to kick a number of important goals when the opportunity arose.
Charlie Booth (12) – A real success story this season, Phone developed all aspects of his game after joining the code this year. It was great to see him nab a couple of opportunist goals last Sunday, and he can look forward to next year with real optimism.
Seth Player (13) – Player by name, and that's not all. If you told someone watching our games over the past month that this guy was in his first season of AFL they simply would not have believed you. Seth's defensive instincts and anticipation are just extraordinary.
Liam Kelleher (14) – Ditto for Special K. It is amazing to think that in his first season of a new code this guy has learnt so much. And there is every reason to think that with his marking and kicking skills Liam could equally have a big future as a forward.
Jonathon Khattar (15) – There is nothing like the sight of the Gazelle grabbing the ball out from under the nose of an opposition forward, and tearing off downfield on one of his trademark runs. A sensational season from a devastating player. Welcome back Jono!
James Kirkpatrick (16) – One of the most popular members of the team, Kirky is a serial pest whose attitude to life is a lesson to us all. When he turns his mind to it, and stops laughing for a minute or two, the Kirkmeister is also a very effective footballer.
Tom O'Connell (17) – On the day that he debuted for us against Mosman (and was close to best on ground) Tom was just 12 years of age. 2 of his teammates had already turned 16! You can't teach guts or talent, and the Hawk has both in large measure.
Jack Small (18) – Little John (GF2) is without doubt one of the most selfless and courageous players in the team. He should not have played the last two games, but who was going to stop him? A great man to have in your side.
Ben O'Connell (19) – If you were looking to build a prototype of the young Aussie Rules footballer you couldn't go past using Richie as a model. Big, fast, strong, great hands, determined and committed, Ben can play anywhere on the field.
Nick Wakeling (20) – Ditto all of the above, only all the more extraordinary because the Greyhound was in his very first year playing the game. One of the most genuine and impressive young men you are ever likely to meet, Nick has a great future ahead of him.
Sam McMahon (21) – The day Sam was born they gave Suzanne a courage pill and a growth pill to feed him. He wouldn't eat the growth pill, so she gave him a 2nd courage pill instead. Braveheart was also probably the most skilful player in the comp.
Jordan Singleton (22) – Wee Jordy was a constant handful for the opposition in front of the big sticks. Had he been able to play a full season he may well have been the key to getting us that couple of extra goals we needed in the big games. A gentle giant.
Greg Martin (23) – Every successful organisation needs a strong and talented GM and the 2010 Dockers were no different. Greg led from the front every week, and proved himself many times over to be a star of the future. When the going gets tough, call Dino.
Jake van Groesen (25) – Jake's name translates as "the quiet young bloke with the very big heart". His dedication to the team, on and off the field, could not be faulted. But just maybe he does not fully believe yet what he is so obviously capable of.
On behalf of all the team, and its supporters, it is also important that the tremendous efforts of our coaches – Jazzy Perez and Brodie Cooper – are recognised. These young men gave up their own time throughout the winter and received nothing in return. Hopefully they will take away the satisfaction of knowing they had a big hand in creating an atmosphere which allowed friendships and footy skills to flourish. Well done guys.