Match Report – Under 12 – Grand Final, 2019
U12 – Bayswater vs Rowville Knights
The big one. Congratulations to all the boys and everyone involved in making it to the Grand Final. We’ve worked really hard all year to get in this position, and I have complete faith in the boys’ ability to handle everything that comes with playing in a Grand Final. Rowville have been the benchmark all year, I believe, and my message to the boys was to challenge them to reach the peak – to be the best, you have to beat the best. Our focus was once again keeping calm under pressure, and focusing on the things we can control.
The first quarter began as we had probably thought – Rowville came out hard and put a lot of pressure on. They were first to the ball, and very clean with their disposals, and as a result we found ourselves down at quarter time 0.1 to 2.2. My message at quarter time was all about keeping calm – we spoke of Rowville always starting well, particularly against us, and that we just need to make sure we get to the ball first, keep calm, work for each other, and things will take care of themselves. To the boys credit they did exactly that – and by half time we found ourselves in front 4.2 to 2.3. There were some great efforts to that point, with Chad and Owen doing a great job in the back half, Jamie, David and Malakai getting plenty of the ball in the middle, and Jackson providing a great target up forward.
The half time message was all about keeping control of ourselves, and staying strong in the mind and the body. The big crowd was getting right into the game, and you could sense the pressure building on the ground. The third quarter is often called the premiership quarter, and I was rapt to see our boys respond to the increase in pressure from the Rowville boys. Particular pressure was put on players such as Toby, Cody, Chad, Rohan and Anthony, and each of these boys responded. At 3/4 time of the Grand Final we were leading 5.4 to 3.5, but it was still anyone’s game.
The final quarter was everything a Grand Final quarter should be, with tired boys on both sides giving their absolute all to win the game. Great leadership from our more seasoned players including Malakai, Zyon, Alex and Owen helped to steady the ship for us, and Oscar’s great game also helped to continuously give our forwards opportunities. Campbell and Joel also lifted up forward, and our continued teamwork helped us kick the only goal of the quarter while we held Rowville scoreless – with the result being our Bayswater Under 12 boys are the 2019 premiers in D division.
All the boys played so very well, and it really was a team effort. They played their best game for the year, and as a coaching group we simply could not be more proud. I do need to make special mention of our premiership captain, Davo, who’s leadership inspired the boys. The pressure they maintained for the whole game was a joy to watch, and to keep Rowville to 1 goal after quarter time was an amazing achievement. We finish the season with 9 straight wins and no doubt that we were the best team in the competition.
Well done boys – you are very deservedly 2019 premiers, and you’ve achieved something that will forever be a part of you.
- Bayswater 6.7.43
- Rowville Knights 3.5.23
Best Team players: all 20 players did their job. Congratulations premiership team.
Goal kickers: Jamie Gilchrist 4, Jackson Peters 1, Owen Ludtke 1
Andrew Peters
U12s Coach