The Blighty Redeyes senior footballers achieved their first win of the season away against Katunga on Saturday.
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It was a fantastic day for the club, supporters and the team.
On the field, the Blighty players really held it together and kept pushing on at all costs.
Sam Singleton really controlled the centre, maximising on the efforts of Jett Lia, not only directing the bounce, but also winning several clearances himself.
Jack Charlton was dominating around the ground, giving the forwards plenty of looks and working back to fill any holes.
Jack Pell was on top, beating every opponent they presented on him and with.
Harley Constable’s long, penetrating kicks gave the team every opportunity.
It was great to see the skipper doing what he does, playing with plenty of confidence after a few weeks out.
Jack Fennell, Ari Glover and Isaac Brown all played well.
Brown used his strength and covered Lia in the ruck exceptionally.
Matt Macansh continually kept the team in the hunt with skill and the experienced Kyel Bain finally remembered to charge his goal kicking radar battery, putting the team in the lead and didn’t he love it.
The list keeps going on but what a great feeling.
The team’s thoughts are with their coach and his family, who are going through a battle at the moment.
The aim for the team is to keep the momentum to finish the year off, as it’s a much more enjoyable game when we’re winning.
Final score: Blighty 10.12 (72) def. Katunga 6.8 (44).
Reserves
Blighty were back after a second bye and due for a close clash, with rain on the horizon pushed most magnets off the board and into the tractor seat, unfortunately for the team.
There were glimpses of good ball play and passages of play, especially rebounding from the backline, which was a positive to see.
Although the team were probably not quick enough to react to see it working and continue our mid-structure that we’d been working on.
Mitch Ross and Brock Thomson were great around the ground, stepping in for us.
Jake Harvey was super down the back, stepping up from the thirds along with the general as usual, Shannon Bond.
Birthday boy Brodie Park was a bull in the middle.
Thanks to the thirds boys and others for stepping in and Katunga for working with us numbers wise.
Final score: Blighty 4.5 (29) def by Katunga 11.9 (75).
Thirds
This week, the Blighty thirds took on Katunga at Katunga.
Unfortunately, the team had to leave the four points behind as holidays and kids with other commitments on the day.
There were missing 12 from the side, so the team struggled to get a side on the park.
So it was awesome to see some of the young fourths kids put their hands up to help out on the day.
Some of the older players in the side had a real crack and played some bloody good footy, but the team were beaten by a far bigger, better side on the day.
Better players on the day were Sam Conallin, Charlie Hetherington, Ash Hines, Seth Fuess, Hudson Kelly and Charlie Tremble, who stepped up and played his first thirds game and received the good sports award.
Final score: Blighty 2.2 (14) def by Katunga 21.12 (138).
Fourths
Blighty travelled to Katunga and managed to get the win to make it three in a row!
With a lot away, more fifths came up to lend a hand.
All the little Redeyes played their part and played a very good game of footy.
The team had the lead at every quarter and held on for a big win.
The aim is to keep the momentum running and give Rennie a run for their money next week.
Awards were as follows.
Best on went to Jordyn Brain, who ran all game.
Maddison Hunter, who is always giving it her all week in week out.
Benjamin Baker, who trained well all week and then, put in three solid quarters up front.
Kayden Leech, who played his part with plenty of running and, was rewarded with a few goals.
Franklin Norman for a little fifths player he isn't scared one bit, taking on three big fellas was a sight to see.
Deakin Kelly, who had a very slow day down full back but, played his part in protecting that goal line before going forward in the last quarter
Captains’ award went to Lucas Hovenden, for a little fella he gives it his all the whole time.
Final score: Blighty 15.17 (107) def Katunga 0.2 (2).
Fifths
The junior Redeyes were back into action after having a well-earned weekend off, and were on the road taking on Katunga.
With a few unavailable due to illness and school holidays, the team put together a side that was up for the challenge.
The first quarter was an arm wrestle with both teams working hard applying pressure with the backline standing up stopping numerous goal attempts.
In the second quarter the team worked hard moving the ball forward all together with the oval larger than the fifths usually play on.
The team took some adjusting on how to move it from one end to another.
In the last quarter the fifths threw everything at Katunga moving from contest to contest, sticking the tackles and kicking into open spaces.
It was a great effort by all the kids, and you can see the improvement from them.
Final score: Not scored.
Awards: V. Githinji, L. Hovenden, J. Doherty, H. Ward, V. Ngugi and E. Hoskin.