Congratulations on making the Grand Final!

What a great effort and one that every football club strives to achieve. I’m sure it’s been through a combination of hard work and dedication by all involved.

Under 11's - Grand Final

What a fantastic day !!  Trying to keep a level head in the build up to the day, Mitch and Stu had the boys focussing on the task ahead of them. Their opposition had defeated our our boys in 4 out of the last 5 meetings, including the Semi Final 2 weeks prior. This was going to be no easy task in the prevailing blustery conditions. Plenty of support and a sea of purple was on hand as our boys took to the field, excitement was high - even the banner parted company with a supporting pole as the boys burst through. 

The first quarter started out as a tight affair as both teams tried to adapt to the strong wind blowing across the ground. Our boys were the first to work it out, scoring a couple of minors after assuming control of the ball. Standing on the sidelines, it was obvious that the boys had one thing on their collective minds. They were desperate for the ball, chasing hard, applying plenty of pressure, dominating all over the ground. A couple of goals gave the Dockers some breathing space going into the first break.

Knowing that St Ives wouldnt go down without a fight, the instructions were to just keep doing what they had done all year, and more so, to carry on with what they had started with in this game. Another tough struggle ensued for the first couple of minutes in the second quarter, before some great run from the half back line sent us into attack once more, and the lead extended. This seemed to provide some more spark to the boys as they shifted into another gear. The opposition looked lost - their danger player who created much of the trouble for us 2 weeks ago was shut out of the game, St Ives had nowhere to go. Our boys took advantage of that and furthered the lead.
 
Going into half time Mitch and Stu reinforced the message that the job wasn't finished, and the boys couldn't afford to let their guard down. Each and every boy was having an influence on the game, the team unit was working extremely well together. Leading in to the second half, the unspoken task was to finish what they started, to keep the run going, and to get possession of the ball. The opposition came under fire yet again, the attack on the ball relentless as our half-backs and midfielders drove us deep into attack time and time again. The wind continued to play havoc with the shots at goal, but eventually yet another was added to the tally.

With everyone sensing what was to come Mitch and Stu had to keep the boys attention on the here and now. The last break, Stu drew everyone together and reinforced his pre-game comments - the red piece of leather that the umpires were holding had the name of each and every Docker written all over it - as soon as the umpire threw it up, the opposition were not going to get anywhere near it for the rest of the match.

The determination was in their eyes, the fire in their bellies - our boys were going to put on a display of football not seen before. The last quarter of the season began much like the previous three, our boys going in hard, denying St Ives any opportunity. The defenders repelling a ball from what at first glance looked to be a certain goal for the saints, and turning it into yet another attack resulted in what was to be the straw that broke the camels back. With only minutes left in the season, the young Dockers realised that all their hard work and efforts throughout the year were about to pay dividends. The boys continued to deny their broken opposition the ball, keeping them scoreless in the final term whilst securing themselves a Grand Final victory. The final siren sounded destroying the dreams and hopes of one team, but releasing the emotion and energy of the other.

A season which began in uncertainty with only 9 players on the list a week out from season start, had come to the best possible conclussion. Credit must be given to everyone in the team who didnt give up, chasing around the local schools trying to rustle up numbers, and through the assistance of several players of younger age groups who played up at various times throughout the year.
 
Thankyou to the parents for ferrying the kids across town, to everyone who helped out with the required secondary tasking throughout the season, to Leonie for keeping the weekly routine running, and to Mitch for his patience and willingness to guide these young boys.

Finally, thankyou to the boys - without you there is no team. Be proud of your achievements, cherish the moment, remember the feeling. Each and every one of you has come a long way this year, the improvement has been nothing short of outstanding. I certainly hope that above all else, you have enjoyed the year and have learnt something more about the game, about yourself, and about your Docker brothers. Congratulations on your magnificent season......see you next year.