Blighty’s seniors came up against a quality side in Waaia in round 11 of the Picola and District Football League.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
With a few players out it was always going to be a challenge, but it’s one coach Kyel Bain knew his side would hit head on.
Despite the final scoreline, Bain said his charges did not disappoint.
“Some good passages of play allowed the side to hit the scoreboard a few times in the first half, and stop some of Waaia’s forward entries,” he said.
“The third quarter was Blighty’s best with pressure up stopping Waaia’s run.”
Final score: Blighty 6.4 (40) def by Waaia 34.17 (221).
The best on for the day went to Lee Culton down back with many intercepting marks.
Next best was Bailey Burke with his grunt work around the contest, also contributing a few goals.
The last awards went to the Hay brothers - Nick and Luke - who ran and tackled hard all day.
Congratulations to Will Doolan on his first seniors game.
What made it more special was his dad Warwick Doolan getting the call up too.
He did really well with his tackling and run on the wing.
The seconds had a tough day against a well-oiled Waaia side on Saturday.
Short on numbers, the Redeyes had Riley Webb, Gus Bain and Ethan McLeish from the thirds and Jarred Hislop from the fourths step up, who all played really well.
Waaia had control all game but the boys chased and tackled with a few good passages of play.
Chris Hovenden was back for his first game with the club in a while, and was strong around the ball all day.
Andrew Simpson and Josh Sharp gave it their all in the middle, while George Reid and Allan Gardiner were solid down back and never gave up.
The twos showed good endeavour.
Final score: Blighty 0.0 (0) def by Waaia 23.17 (155).
The thirds had a tough match coming up against Waaia.
The boys had to hit the ground running and that’s exactly what they did.
In the first quarter, both teams were certainly in an arm wrestle and playing some great football.
As the game progressed, the Blighty boys picked up the talk pace with some great passages of play.
Final score: Blighty 13.4 (82) def Waaia 6.3 (39).
It was one of those games where picking the better players was impossible. This group of lads are just starting fire.
Best on was Max Caruso, running hard in the midfield all day.
Toby Grimwood playing forward gave us another option all day received an award.
Will Doolan played a ripper running of the back/forward flank.
Harry McIlwain also received an award kicking six goals playing full forward all day.
It was a very chilly morning at Waaia, but the Blighty fourths were ready to play and hit the scoreboard early.
This got the side up and about, but to Waaia’s credit they made it a real arm wrestle with only a goal or so in it all game.
Fortunately the young Redeyes dug deep in the last quarter and pulled off an awesome win.
Final score: Blighty 6.6 (42) def Waaia 3.4 (22).
It made it really hard to pick the better players as there was so many that contributed to the win.
It is really rewarding to see that the stuff the side is working on at training come together in a game.
The youngest Redeyes had a cracker of a game on Saturday, taking home the win in the fifths.
They showed great sportsmanship all game, jumping across to Waaia to help them out.
All the kids should be proud of the way they played - once again it was a whole team effort put in.
The kids are really starting to bounce off one another and are working well as a team. It's great to watch.
Liam Gordon played his best game yet, and played a real captain’s game. He was named best on for the day.
Charlie Tremble performed outstandingly all day, bringing the ball out of the middle, and going head on into the contests.
Sam Strong is another young gun who has plenty of talent showing, and isn't afraid to attack the footy.
Tommy Dudley was next, who played another amazing game, running all game out of the guts he did not disappoint.
Charley Pierce made a amazing performance who also played a amazing captain's game. His skills are improving week in week out.
And last award for the day went to Andrew Frost who each week never fails to disappoint, he reads to play exceptional well and really adapts to the game.
These kids have got a lot of talent and they are really starting to shine out on the field. They are definitely worth watching as they are the future of the Blighty football club.