Result: Win 3-1
Scorers: Ranga, Southy 2

Saturday morning had Meadowbank drenched in glorious sunshine, with the All Age 17 Pumas and their supporters trekking down to the riverside in search of that most elusive of prizes: A car park near the field. After some great moves, some great pressure and a bit of luck, a parking spot was secured, albeit in dubious circumstances. We quickly evacuated the car before one of the apartment blocks residents could complain, and headed to what surely was a walk in the park compared with the battle just won. Several things set the game apart from the onset. We had all players available, a good turnout for training (12 out of 15, a new record!) and Nicho turned up without first ’scouting out’ Holland or Hayes Reserve. Our usual pregame conversion practice was followed by an excellent pre-game speech by Clayts. ‘50/50 ball’ ‘Switch on’ and ‘Massive game’ all made their appearance, and Corey led us through our final prayer of the season. We fronted up on halfway to scope our opposition. Our record was against the Panthers was 0-2 loss, 0-0 draw, 2-0 win. Evens coming into the game, but we had form after dumping the No 1 Sharks from the finals and were playing with a full strength side for the first time since Round 3.
The game started a bit shakey for the Pumas. The backs had a few nervous moments, without a shot being offered though, before we settled down and started to pick apart the Panthers defense. Southy managed to get some clean ball with only 3 defenders to beat, which he did easily and slotted away to give us the advantage. Some great play from the Pumas followed, with our mids providing some good ball for the forwards. The small field meant that easy through balls were a lazy trap to fall into, but unlike the Panthers we kept it at our feet and worked our way into good position. Erik had a Rang cross tipped off his head and Stathis set Godby up for a drive, but we couldn’t get the second that we knew we’d need. The Panthers had two clear chances too, a mix up leading to a one-on-one that they pushed wide and Clayts making an awesome save to deny a close range shot. We went into the break 1-0 up and came out knowing we had to score to win it. 5 more dominant minutes followed, before Erik scored Southy’s second goal. From long range Gordon put his foot through the ball, which then Southy skillfully/accidently got falconed off his ear, wrong footing the keeper and sending us 2-0 up. Ryde heads dropped, and it wasn’t long before Ranga embarked on his trademark left wing run, right down to the goal line before slotting from a fine angle. 3-0 and we knew we had it. Windy and Fitz tried to get on the score sheet, and Stathis was denied by a great one handed save by their sweeper. Some people just aren’t meant to score fellas. The Panthers pulled one back with about 5 to go after our backs were caught out thinking of what to spend our $550+ fine jar on, but the whistle went with the AA17 completing a great day for the club, with 5 wins from 5 grand finals. Pumas can play soccer.
An awesome showing from the boys that typified our season. We played great soccer on the deck and communicated well. As over the last few games, our forwards were our first line of defense, and our backs the first line of attack. Little ball was wasted and the pressure across the field didn’t give the Panthers a sniff. The Pumas showed we were top cats, and the biggest cheer at the presentation was reserved for the Lions who took out the Pennant (we had to cheer some team… no one else was there…)
And thus our season came to a glorious end. It was one to remember for such exploits as our amazing team photo, record suspensions, incredible injuries and a lot of fun.

Each team member needs something said about them, so I’ll resurrect a piece I sent out as a pre-season motivation: Here they are in alphabetical order, note that Clayton is last, because I’m a jerk and will do anything to annoy him.
Tim ‘The Hater’ Fitzmaurice: New signing for the year, surprisingly, first in the list. The lack of surnames with letters A-E will be a target of recruitment next year. Has volunteered to be the subject of any ‘hating’ required by the team. Turns out he also hates lots of things including: Transformers, Parties at clubs, the sun.
Cameron ‘Cam’ Gage: Stallwart of defense, is experienced and an important member of the backline, despite the birth defect of being born without a left foot. Turned an ordinary start into his best season by far. Main pillar of our ‘defense is first line of attack’ strategy.
Nathan ‘Godby’ Godby: Poor nickname, definitely needs to work on that. Hardworking midfielder with a sweet shot. Speed and Cahill-esque leap made him a danger.
Dru ‘Cprey’ Maasepp: Important tower at centre back when not in Canberra. Hadn’t missed a game through injury in 5 years, then rolled his ankle. Two stellar games to end the year did a big part in giving us the Championship. Also has a deformity being born without a left foot.
Erik ‘Gordon’ Maasepp: This bloke is rubbish. When he’s not injuring important players at training, he’s scoring own goals or wasting everyone’s time with long boring emails. Scored the PHD Club Record for longest single suspension. The only thing he’s got going for him is tallness, because you can’t stuff that up. Needs help to be less of a jerk.
Aaron ‘KEEPERS!’ McGarvey: Superstar keeper. Can’t save a beach ball at training, but makes up for it during the game. Put his body on the line and copped a ruptured kidney, 3 week hospital stay and 1 year out of sport. Will be welcomed back next year by Clayts for sure.
Ben ‘Skipper’ McGarvey: Became an expert at the expensive handball-in-the-box play. Managed to rack up $50 in fines despite being a back. Most courageous member of the team. You will not find at tougher nut in the GHFA. Also writes poetry.
Ben ‘Nicho’ Nicholson: This superstar was an expensive off season purchase that the Prems will regret letting go. Mid-season form slump saw him come roaring back when it mattered most. Great skillful foil to the blundering Gordon in centre mid.
Ben ‘Priddy’ Pridmore: Yet another Ben, originality seriously lacking in the parents this year. Another expensive off season buy who was coming back from an ankle injury. Knee injury midseason ruled him out and signalled a tough time for the Pumas. For some reason also works at JustMats along with most PHCS graduates.
Nathan ‘Stathis’ Stathis: Another Puma in sore need of a nickname. Used his size well in tackles, turned into a Viduka style forward creating some great chances for his team mates. Runs Cam close for turning an average start into an awesome season.
Timothy ‘Southy’ Southcott: Longest hair on the team by a distance, looking for sponsorship from Nivea or Pantein. Our goal scoring machine who attracts negative attention from fat balding backs who are jealous of his looks and locks. Disappeared to Europe for 4 weeks but still ran close for the Golden Boot.
Michael ‘Ranga’ Townsend: Was the last remaining ginga on the team after Erik’s horrific hair colour job has grown out. Luckily Myles joining gave him a friend. Powerful left boot, luckily for us is a day walker. Loves a run down the left wing and threading from a fine angle, I think he squared the ball to Erik once this season. Won the Golden Boot with 13 though so I guess he’s okay…
Myles ‘Ranga 2.0′ Sutherland: Mid season signing to cover Clayts demotion to keeper & Priddy’s injury. Battled a sore groin and tender heartlidge most of the season, but brought some class into the mids. Backed up his fellow rang by spotting him his fines on collection day.
Pouwel ‘Windy’ Wind: New signing, has a good shot that keeps low, unlike everyone else on the team. Played for the team in an un-preferred position at back due to lack of numbers, but was a quality mid when games allowed him up there, but he’s studying to be an architect so I don’t like him.
James ‘Sloth’ Vilimaa: Another new signing, only man on the team who can catch Southy in the hair stakes. Has excellent dreads and played well with Corey at centre back. Racked up his first card and suspension, but needs to improve his vocabulary if he hopes to knock Gordon off his perch.
Clayton ‘Clayts’ Waters: Where do I start? Fancies himself as a key player and often refers to himself in the 3rd person like he’s the subject of a sports report. Our last Puma who was born without a left foot, his favorite activities include apologizing to the team and fetching balls from the basketball courts. Thinks hitting all 3 posts in 1 game is an enviable achievement. Wasteful in front of goal and a liability in defense, the only way this kid could play any worse is if Penny turns up to watch a game - then get ready for new depths. To be fair, did step up to keep after Az went out, and did a superb job. 8 clean sheets and third best defense in All Age not bad for a second choice.

There, I’ve wasted as least 20 minutes on this rubbish that I won’t get back. If you didn’t enjoy it, feel free to hate on Fitzy for it.

Round Robin 2 (15 Aug)
Result: Draw 1-1
Scorers: Ranga
After last weeks great win over the Panthers, we headed to the home of soccer needing a win or a draw to book in a grand final berth next week. The Sharks had gone through the last two seasons with just the one loss, to us in our last encounter. We fancied ourselves to bring away some points, but the game started inauspiciously, with Ranga 2.0 ruled out with a heartlidge tear and Clayts bringing down Gordon during the warmup. But the team was strengthened with Corey returning from a long ankle injury layoff and Clayts back between the sticks. Our defense was at full strength, and it needed to be as the Sharks started well. But they held strong, and when Rang forced a turnover and finished neatly from the top of the box, we were 1-0 up. Another fast break saw Ranga with just the keeper to beat, but he pushed it into the post for a massive fine. An even passage of play followed, with the Sharks controlling the mids but the Pumas controlling either end. Southy copped a hack that had him limping off, and when Clayts went down under a late challenge we cringed remembering Az’s hit and hospital stay. Luckily both were ok, and the ref then decided to make his presence felt, conjuring some bewildering decisions that had both sides smiling with clenched teeth. Oh and Godby racking up a valuable yellow card for the fine jar.
After the break though the Sharkies put away a goal after a handball that wasn’t picked by the ref, and the backs did well to hold off more pressure. But as the game wore on, the heat started to get to the opposition. They became less sharp and allowed us a couple more chances. First Fitzy went agonizingly close to latching onto a Gordon through ball, before Southy racked up a fine of his own spraying a good chance. The Sharks had one last attempt, but it was defeated by an offside call that repaid some karma from their first goal. The spirit of the game is always an active party. A draw ended another good match between us, and with the Lions and their humorous match reports and emotional maturity fighting for the ‘crap cup’, the Pumas have a date with the Panthers to decide who is the top cat of the AA17.
MOTM: Corey, without a doubt. Coming back from a long layoff, he was a tower of strength and directed the backline in defeating every attack. With our midfield struggling to cope with a quality Sharks attack, our defense again proved the difference and sent us into the Grand Final.

Round Robin 1 (9 Aug)
Result: Win 2-0
Scorers: Ranga, Gordon
After the great win over first placed Sharks, and a hard fought draw against the Panthers, we came into the finals with a bit of momentum, something we haven’t had all year. Unfortunately, a Sunday match meant Clayts was busy watching small children play cricket, and with Corey’s ankle still on the mend, we were undermanned against a team we had yet to beat. Nevertheless, the hunger was there from the kickoff, with first Southy then Godders troubling the defense. Mini-Godders was holding the backline very well in the absence of Corey, so much so that Locky had to make just the one save in the first half. Despite our good performance though, the halftime scoreline was nil all. We started the second stanza a bit shaky, with the backs getting a bit nervous on the ball. But some great cover defense and a dominant midfield saw the game swing our way. We couldn’t create any clear cut chances like last week, but we stayed patient and were eventually rewarded when Rang let loose from about 25 yards out. The ball curled over the top of the keeper to the jubilant celebration of both the Pumas and a sizeable crowd. More domination followed until Nicho served a corner ball on a platter for Gordon at the far post to head in, and we held out for the last 6 minutes to record 3 points and another clean sheet. The guys played a great game in a crunch match, with lads like Godby playing out of their regular position to rescue a team still devastated by injuries. The greatest disappointment was the lack of fines, but with the total now reaching biblical proportions, it wasn’t missed much.
MOTM: Has to go to Ranga. Put in such a big game he was retching after the break, he nonetheless retook the field to again dominate and put away the goal that has us with one foot in the final. Still doesn’t come to training though.

Week 10 (26 July)
Result: Win 3-1
Scorers: Southy, Mini-Godders, Clayts
The eagerly anticipated re-match against the number 1 team Gladesville Sharks kicked off at Holland Res in G-Haven, the site of our 8-0 thumping of G-Haven back in round 4. The last game against these blokes saw an exciting 3-3 draw marred with injuries to Keeps (kidney, 1 year out) and Priddy (knee reco, 6 months out). The Sharkies hadn’t lost a match for 2 years, and with the Pumas needing points, a tall order was served up. Our injury list read Az & Priddy, Ranga 2.0 with a groin injury, with The Hater & Sloth both absent. We called on Locky who filled in goal, and mini-Godders, who ran the wing. We got off to a great start, pinging the ball around and keeping control. Nicho, Ranga 2.0 and Gordon were running the mids, with Southy always looking dangerous up front. Eventually, our first came from Skip clearing up to Southy, who nuttied the keeper. Half time came and a stirring speech from Clayts had us in the right frame of mind for the second half. Windy was providing Kennely-esque run from teh backline, with Cam refinding his mojo and hitting great passes. Eventually, a wing attack and second time cross saw mini-Godders push in a Rang ball, 2-0 Pumas. Clayton this showed great muscle and determination, putting away a through ball after fighting for it from halfway to the penalty spot. However, the Pumas took a hit when tower defender Corey came down on his ankle, Erik swapping to sweeper and Clayts dropping back to centre mid. We lost a bit of direction, conceding a goal after a goal mouth scramble, but the back held firm for the Pumas to down the Sharks, who played the game with great spirit and skill, maybe the absence of a certain fiery red-head striker has something to do with it…
MOTM: Can’t nail a standout. Our first complete performance from the whole team downed the minor premiers, so I’ll give it to mini-Godders and Locky for filling in for us and playing great games.

Week 1 (25 July)
Result: Win 3-0
Scorers: Southy, Erik, Nicho
Massive weekend for the boys needing 7 points from our last 3 games to guarantee a final berth. The disaster of last weeks draw with the second bottom team was forgotten though, as some much needed Puma Pride was restored with the delivery of our amazing Team Photo. Spurred on by this, the team minus The Hater and a late withdrawing Sloth rocked up ready to play soccer. Southy was welcomed back with a hack in the box that he calmly slotted for 1-0, we then set about wasting shot after shot for the rest of the half. Second half got off to the worst possible start, with Skip handballing in the box. Luckily, Clayts psyched out another kick taker, with the Rangers sending it high and wide. Nicho then finished off an excellent one-two move between Rang, Southy and Erik, before Gordon celebrated his second game back on the teamsheet with a scrambled goal. The Pumas took the 3 points heading into the big clash with the number 1 team on Sunday. Big fine to Ranga 2.0 though for leaving half way through, and for Nicho for turning up late after going to Holland Res first.
MOTM: Godby. He discovered a new way to play, crawling around on all fours while still in control of the ball.

Week 12 (4 July)
Opposition: West Pennant Hills Lions
Result: Loss 2-1
Scorers: Ranga
A big double header didn’t get off to the start we needed. With Southy in Europe, Godders at the snow, Cam in Fiji, Ranga 2.0 in Adelaide and Priddy out injured, we called on Team Merrick for support, and welcomed back Sloth from his exile. The new look lineup played some great soccer, with Ranga somehow threading the needle from a fine angle with the opener. Extended pressure couldn’t buy another goal, and the half time chat was all about getting that first strike to put the game in our hands. We opened up with a great game of passing, but with Southy gone our finishing touch was lacking. The Lions then got two identical goals in 1 minute, with a cannon throw and deft header beating our defense each time. 2-1 down, we needed to bounce back, but again our domination of the mids didn’t translate on the score sheet. Ranga went closest with an open goal but the ball bouncing just out of reach, and with that the whistle went and so did the points. It’s not often you lose a game you control for 88 minutes, but the Lions have done it to us twice now. I hate soccer.
MOTM: Team Merrick for allowing us to play with a full team.

Week 8? (5 July)
Opposition: Putney Rangers
Result: Win 3-0
Scorers: Ranga 2, Muppet 1
Part 2 of the double header went according to script, at least from kick off. The early 9am Sunday match had the Pumas car pooling down to Gladesville in hilariously overpacked small cars, with some Merricks and Tim filling in for us from AA21’s. No ref meant we reffed ourselves, and I’m glad we were playing the Rangers, who were a fair and non-violent lot (if you don’t count the death threats between their centre mid and left back). We almost conceded about 20 seconds after kick off, but luckily Clayts was awake to make another fine save. We then set about breaking down the Putney defense, with first Ranga then some Muppet putting us 2-0 up. At halftime we had to choose a ref, and with Gordon playing the dousche-bag card Skip stood up to take the whistle. The second half was totally dominated by the Pumas, with Stathis, Gordon and Nicho all going close before Ranga slotted his second to kill the game. The backs racked up another clean sheet (5 from 9) and the mids were well held by Nicho and The Hater, whose list of hates was expanded prior match to include Transformers, parties at clubs and the Sun. An even weekend from the boys leaves us a game clear inside the 4, but with 5 games to go anything can happen. With Ranga 2.0, Godders & Cam back next week, we can all but cement our place with a win over the second placed Panthers. (Insert big cat joke).
MOTM: The Hater. Prematch talk about Transformers fired him up to new heights.

Week 11 (27 June)
Result: Win 7-0
Scorers: Southy 3, Ranga 2, Ranga 2.0 1, Potty
After a long layoff due to the rain, the Pumas were looking to bounce back from the horror loss to Normo and put some goals on the board. With Erik & Villas still warming the bench and Priddy joining Az on the long term injury list, we called on the support of Potty Watkins, who slotted in up front. Pumas were first on the board after about 5, with Range slotting away after a good run down the left. Ranga 2.0 then had about 2 weeks to line up his shot from the top of the box, and blasted it straight to the keeper, who dived out of the way to put us 2-0. Dru then gave away his second penalty of the season ($5), but Clayts psyched out G-Haven’s best player with the ‘I’m a muppet keeper, put it wide and you’ll score’ line, as the bloke sent it wide. Some average sledging and a nice hug to welcome Potty on the field was all G-Haven had after that, as we started to pile on the goals. Southy put away another couple either side of the half, with Potty also finishing strongly, booming one in the almost broke the net. Ranga was brought down in the box and missed his penalty ($5… I’ll have to buy a bigger fine jar) but put away the rebound. Southy finished off his hattrick with another breakaway, amidst a couple of reds for G-Haven, one for the hack on Ranga and the other for abusing the ref. The only other event worthy of mention was Clayts coming out onto the field from keeper (but not before 2 touch finding goals kicks… more fines). Unfortunately, he was sledged unmercifully every time he came near the ball. After a while though my voice became hoarse, so I quietened down and let Az take over. A much better performance from the boys, but with a mass exodus overseas planned for the big double header next week, we’ll have to step up again to lock in a top 4 berth.
MOTM goes to Ranga 2.0, both for his distribution in the first half, and making Dru come back on despite the fever he was running. Classic.

Week 7 (30 May)
Result: Win 2-0
Scorers: Clayts & Godby
A great bounceback in tough conditions, with a shot that was going way over mis-hit by Clayts to send it bottom right, and a scorching run from Godby to wrap it up. Guest reporter Corey files this weeks report:
The scene was set, 9 pumas, West Penno’s finest mudpit, we smelt victory. Spartans solid in the wind. Moving as one, green shirts raised up in their fists…we were born for this, it was bred into our culture, natural leaders. The rumble of Persians deafened thy ear, the smell of blood tickled thy nose, the taste of sweat quivered thy tongue… it was time.
Everyone played well, Myles (Moz/Ranga 2.0) came raging onto the field in a fiery display of action and violence, his presence gave an instant goal to Clayton Hacksworth, who could not be happier to be out of the goals due to Girlies swine flu. Southy was our new Azza for the game and touched the ball like 3 times, not coz the backs played their best, but just because that’s how it was if you get my drift, Gage and Nicho were paint balling for bout 20 of the 1st half but made up for it by playing some mean soccer, with Fitzy and Godders defo men of the match. Godby turned into an animal, most likely a cheetah or for the puns sake a puma… all day his legs just didn’t stop. The Greek took the weight of the strikers on his shoulders and had some nail biting break aways, while Gordon sat on the side serving his penance possibly about to combust, I know I’m looking forward to seeing his first game come back. lolz rofl
As per usual fines were rolling off the field, forwards and mids probably have lighter wallets, due to the backs having not much to swear about except cursing the smokey marshlands of middle earth. Seriously there was no attack, maybe once or twice.

Thanks Corey, stuff off the hard stuff this week. If I wasn’t related to you I’d insult your heritage.

Week 5 (16 May)
Result: Loss 1-2
Scorers: Stathis
Our first loss of the season was a bitter pill to swallow after we dominated the majority of the game. We started minus Southy and Cam, who actually organized his 21st party for the same time as the match. A big fine and a boycott of his party by the team till after the game was his punishment, while Southy was in Bathurst for some reason after hanging around for the traditional photo, which also included Big Keegs, a mobile phone, Corey sunglasses and a lack of pants. Can’t wait to put that baby online. Anyway we started with only the 1 reserve, and our entire regular backline on the rocks. Corey & Skip were complaining of a flu, while Priddy wasn’t entirely recovered from his knee injury. Nevertheless, the Pumas were the first on the board with a well worked wing attack from Fitzy and Erik resulting in a bullet cross that Stathis artfully kneed into the goal. However the Lions roared back with an easy goal a couple minutes later. Some ah, creative, decisions by the ref saw us lose focus, and apparently commit handballs while the ball was at our feet. The Lions were fortunate to score again midway through the second half, with a corner going in courtesy of the ‘double hand of god’ rule the ref invented on the spot. Some frantic and excellent defense kept out more goals, and we started to swing the game our way for the rest of the match. However, our numerous corners generated by the wing play of Windy, Rang, Godders and Fitz just wasn’t enough to push us over the line. Our forwards and mids were guilty of trying to be too fancy, either with flick turns or long, long, long range shots. We again lost our focus, with several, ah, creative, decisions by the ref resulting in a few soft yellows for backchat. The game ended with Pumas still clawing for an equalizer, before brain explosions from Sloth and Erik earned them a romantic date at the judiciary, and possibly new nick names. ‘(Gordon) Ramsey’ and ‘Angry Angry Hippo’ are the frontrunners. All the cards meant a big week for fines and with none of the Pumas really earning the coveted MOTM. We’ll have to play much better than that to challenge for the top for the rest of the season.

Week 4 (10 May)
Result: Win 8-0
Scorers: Ben Nicho - 3, Dru, Ranga, Southy, Erik, OG
A demolition job early on Mothers day from the Pumas this week. We open up minus Aaron who is still in hospital and Priddy out with a knee injury. However our 2 subs were more than enough against a Gunners team without any subs who quickly tired as we ran them around. Some good early pressure saw plenty of shots, eventually Erik putting away a long range pigeon, followed by Dru with a long range penguin. Ranga then put us 3-0 up going into the break. Second half was much the same, with our mids and forwards keeping possession, moving it on the ground and creating a mountain of opportunity. Nicho received a well worked wing attack from Erik & Fitzy, muffing his shot but saw it trickle past the keeper anyway. Southy then pounced on a poor goal kick, putting away an easy open chance. Clayts and Southy changed up the keeper role, Clayton celebrating with a maximum $5 fine for missing an absolute sitter on the line. Stathis joined in the fun, also fattening the purse with a miss. But with the amount of chances we were creating, some chances were always going to go begging. An own goal and two goals of increasing class from Nicho polished off his hattrick and the game. A suburb game from the boys who moved the ball around at pace, especially rebounding off the backline and finishing our shots when we needed to, racking up a good score to rebound from last weeks tough match. A clean sheet with 2 shots on goal was again a great effort from our backs, staying water tight yet again.

Week 3 (2 May)
Result: Draw 3-3
A big crowd stayed on at PHCS to watch one of the oddest games of football that we’ve played in. The Sharks were your typical low AA team, big, rough, with 2 or 3 actual ball players in their team. They got the best of us in the opening exchanges, with our midfield MIA but our backs holding strong. We eventually got the first away thanks to the ever dangerous Southy, but a bizarre penalty (ref actually admitted he got it wrong…) was awarded when one of the Sharkies tripped of the back of Skips ankle. A more even passage followed, before a pinball machine invaded the pitch and resulted in Pumas going 2-1 up. The Sharkies pulled us back again just before half time with a throw tapped into the box, and a header/falcon seeing it over the line. Second half saw us playing much smarter, using our skill and speed to put it over the opposition. Rang put away the lead taker, but yet another penalty was awarded, with Priddy pushed in the back onto the ball and a handball awarded. 3-3 and Gladesville got very rough, with 2 red cards issued, but we couldn’t take advantage of the superior numbers, ending the match drawn. Like I said, an odd game of football against a very rough, but rarely dirty, opposition. The ref did a great job on the day, with his only mistakes unfortunately costing us goals. Southy was always dangerous up front, and our backs stopped the Sharks from having a single good shot all game. The draw though was overshadowed by a horrific injury to our star keeper. Aaron was playing a blinder, putting his body on the line in a couple of tough challenges like he does every game. Unfortunately, a late and heavy hit on him did some bad damage internally, with Az heading to the ICU and hospitalized for at least the next week. We wish him all the best in recovery, and everyone who’s every played with him is in no doubt about his courage and commitment against always larger opposition. Ranga Number 7’s opinion after the hit ‘Get up you sook, it wasn’t that hard’ (expletives removed). Glad he’s not my doctor.
Man of the Match had to be Southy. Looked the most dangerous of all our players, with the Sharkies resorting to chopping him down later in the game to keep him quiet.

Week 2 (18 Apr)
Result: Win 7-0
A great win for the boys following an up and down pre-season really shows the hard work and smart thinking put in at training over the last couple of weeks. Facing up against Normo on the hallowed turf of PHCS, it wasn’t long before some good passing along the ground set up good chances, but unfortunately we lacked the polish in front of goal. Poddy Watkins, however, filling in on the back of his game, did not, slotting our opener very neatly. Rang then boomed in an absolute stunner from wide and deep to the far post, leaving the goalie no chance and laying down an early mark for goal of the season. Their keeper then proceeded to put on a masterful show, denying Poddy twice more in the half with great saves. Half time was all about bagging out Villas, who had yet to show and will get to buy Claytons first drinks at the end of season. Second half saw us thirsty for the first goal, knowing that an early one to Normo would lift them into the match. However, after Windy and our other mids again dominated the opening minutes, Erik accidentally sent his cross into the far corner, and from the kick off Southy showed great pressure to turn over a backpass and square for Nicho to send us 4-0. With Normo down, Southy and then Poddy put another two away, with the day polished off by Clayts scoring a neat one-on-one third time round. A dominant display by our mids and forwards could not have happened without our water tight backs. Dru, Priddy, Skip and co had a great game, a clean sheet was matched with zero Normo possession inside the box, a great performance from the backs and a complete performance from the team to start the year. Let’s carry this forward and give the top 4 a real shake.
Magic Moment: Erik making the save of the year with a diving header to glance a goal-bound shot over the bar – ‘Dru, there’s no way you are scoring on my watch’. Ah, team spirit.

All Age 17 Draw

Trial games vs Redfield College will be held on Saturday the 28th March

Notes:

For further information please contact either

In case of Wet weather please refer to the wet weather info line on 9651 0325.