Back at BSO after two weeks on the road, the sun was shining and the crowd willing. One of the little birds floating above the ground told me that the Old Xavierians made the tactical decision to load their Twos with Ones.
They certainly came out firing, with their desperation to hold onto second spot obvious. In fact coach Mick McFarlane reckons it’d be reasonable to think this game was already the grand final for them.
So it’s also reasonable that Fitzroy were initially caught out up forward, looking a bit too slow. But as they’ve done all season, the backline kept us in it and although every stat would be in OX’s favour, Mick’s message at half time was simply to “win the half and make them worried for next week”.
To their credit, that's exactly what the Fitzroy Ressies did.
Chloe Haritopolous soared higher than anyone and was a danger at half forward while captain Emma Bourke brought a hunger she saves for special moments, playing another one of her many great games for the year. Chloe and Em were joined by the indefatigable Lily Prowse-Miller and Alice Becker-Scott earning best-on-ground honours.
“While suffering a three and a half goal loss, the team can’t be discouraged,” Mick says. “Yeah, four points would have been good, but learning that we are not invulnerable leading into finals is a great lesson and will inspire us for next week.
For the Seniors, it was a great lead up to the finals. The first half saw some great footy, with the backline again defending really well, and the midfield working hard in and under, creating efficient and powerful outside runs. Pleasingly, the forward line also linked beautifully to score effortlessly, led by 50-gamer Nadia Conte who slotted our first to the delight of her legion of fans.
“Changing things around a bit in the second half, we were a little slow to get started,” Coach Nathan Jumeau says, “but once we got up and running we played some great footy.”
Nadia continued her forward line pressure and with Nessa Cooney Hunt, led the charge with four and three goals each.
“Jaime Nelson was great in the ruck, marking everything around the ground and Simone Mooney and Gina Bennett were a great on ball combo. And needless to say, our defensive effort down back was at its characteristic best.”
With the Men enjoying a bye next week and our Thirds having played their final games for the season, Roys players and supporters will be out in force next week to support our Women’s teams in the first week of finals.
Go Roy Girls!
JG Gorilla
Images courtesy Rob Olney
