By Thirds coach Trent Coleman
To say it was awesome to be back out at Yarra Bend for preseason is an understatement. It was great to see so many on the track early to get back into it. Not just the Thirds, but across the whole club.
The resilience shown by all players to say, “No Covid, my footy isn’t done, I'm going around again” — it was super exciting.
Matthew ‘Pound for Pound’ Gloster was voted in as skipper and proved to be more than a great choice as his leadership skills shone all season. He was flanked by a new and formidable leadership group of Dan Beacom, Trion Paleologou, Duncan Strachan, Liam Sugrue and Nathan White.
Come round one, the enthusiasm for the season was through the roof, it was time to ‘flick the switch’.
The Roys had bit of a chequered start to the season. We lost to a fast-finishing Old Trinity at Ramsden Street in round 1, before getting on the board against Caulfield in round 2. The big test came in round 3 against ladder leaders Old Xavs. We got jumped in the first quarter but hung around all day. We turned on the jets in the last to kick 7.6 to almost steal the win.
In an interesting turn of events, our Division went from eight teams to just five due to other clubs not being able to field teams. Not ideal for the division, but we least we still had a season.
The next two losses against Old Brighton in round 5 and Old Xavs in round 6 didn't have the Roys panicking, it just made us realise we needed to lift. We won a tight contest against Ajax in round 7 and we got some revenge against Old Brighton in round 8. There is a rivalry building there, that's for sure.
Old Xavs (again!)…we couldn't get the round 9 win but bounced back the following week with a solid win in round 10 against Ajax.
Old Brighton (again!, the joys of a five team comp!) in a round 12 night game far far away from home in windy conditions — their young crew were just too fast for us.
Fan Day 2022 was back at Rammo! The BBQ was rocking, badges were getting sold hand over fist and having a double header with the Gold Thirds was setting up the day nicely. But we did have a big task at hand in the form of second-placed Old Trinity. We were on song from the word go, playing hard at the pill with footy that Old Trinity just couldn't match. It was easily our best home and away win for the year. A great way to cap off Fan Day and our year.
Div 1 Roys Thirds were finals bound again as we finished 4th. We had a week off before having to play our mates Old Brighton. When they couldn't secure their home ground, BSO welcomed us home. A very solid crowd turned out to see the Roys boot 20.9, our highest score for the year to keep our season alive and send our mates back to Brighton.
Another Prelim, another challenge…Old Xavs. In the open spaces of Old Parade's ground, the Roys brought all that they had in what was a tight contest. We kept them honest all day and pushed them to their limit, almost past it, but when the final siren sounded, we were on the wrong side of the four-point difference. A very hard loss to take.
Irrespective of just falling short, it was a great year. Roys driving from hours away just to have a kick, two Roys in the top 10 for league goal kicking and all the new crew that not only came for a kick but brought the crowds as well. Great Thirds footy!
I'm so proud to be around so many players and supporters committed to the club and who do all they can to support the greatest footy jumper in the world each weekend.
A huge thank you to the Skipper and the leadership group for your excellent support and advice all year. To the playing group as whole, selection each week was not easy, but you all stuck around and look what we achieved?! It's not just the 24 Roys on game day, it's everyone being committed all year to get the job done. And of course a big shout out to all those who assisted the Roys in off-field roles each week.
A high five to the new-look Board and Prez who worked tirelessly to make it all happen.
Finally, a huge well done to all the coaches. You should be so proud of how all teams went this year, the club is so healthy.
See you on the track!
ROYS2023!
