Round 3, 2011

Wembley Masters Vs Eastern Hills

First up, apologies guys for the delay in getting the match report up this week. I have been trying to get pen to paper for a week and a half now but after Nunzio effort in substituting for me for the gaming report I was somewhat intimidated. Hats off to Nunzio for a short but great write up of round two. A few criticisms Nunzio however which in time you will learn to correct.

•    Defiantly not enough about yourself and very disappointed you did not take my advice and spend at least half the article talking about your own game
•    Way too much on the game itself
•    Based upon some of my career best form in round three I doubt I will ever be replaced in the forward line.

To finish up on last weeks report, the talks with Western Sydney have fallen through I am now in contract negotiations with Gold Coast but I do not expect them to succeed after this week’s effort in the Q clash. Although some of their young guns may need some mentoring with the ups and downs of AFL football and how to succeed on a regular basis.

Back to the game and how well I played.

First of all the Masters were greeted with an absolute belter of a day to play football up at Midvale. In saying that due to some unfortunate power struggle with Eastern Hills at their home ground, City of Swan decided to prepare the oval for the carnival and proceeded to make what is possibly the largest football ground in Western Australia. Rumours had it the Brainy was seen wondering around the oval pre match contemplating how the hell he was going to survive on such as oval. Myself on the other hand welcomed the oval size. As it has become very evident this year my legs have taken on a life of their own and no matter how hard I try not to get fully fit my new roll, often on the half forward flank has lead me to probably get more possessions in some game than I have over my Masters career.

The first half was played in good sprit by both teams, and in actual fact I would go as far to say that the Eastern Hills team played the game in such good sprit that it was one of my highlight games in terms of enjoyment. Hats off to the Eastern Hills boys for their sportsmanship and manner they played the game.

Coach Newboy swung the unexpected move of starting yours truly again in the back pocket and the regular back pocket specialists, Brainy, was put into my favoured forward pocket. Whilst the boys from Wembley played a serviceable game in the first half there was certainly room for improvement up forward and much adjustment to playing on a large oval. This meant in the second half, the team was in need of some goal scoring power. Coach Newboy made the late but predictable move of putting Brainy back to the forward pocket and yours truly to the half forward flank. This is when I discovered run in the legs which has not been seen since the late 1970’s and early 1980’s and I managed to rack up the possessions and finish the game with three goals and if it wasn’t for the half inflated football that could have easily been five. But as is my motto when playing in the Masters each possession and goal is doubled due to the short quarters and lack of opportunity to get more possessions. So in actual fact I will credit myself with six goals and undoubtedly the mark of the day in the last quarter.

Now for the rest of the blokes, whilst everyone did struggle with the size of the ground and the requirement to actually lead and then actually run to get the ball as by the time anyone of the boys had got the ball and took the mandatory two or three steps and tried to kick, they were absolutely knackered. Serviceable games were played all round and whilst I would like to mention individual names, due to my late writing of this article I’ve actually forgotten who played in the team.

Match highlights can be separated into several categorise as follows:
Pre Match
•    Irish Sean comments to me that I am the most valuable pre match person to sit next to due to my extensive collection of medical taped in my footy kit.
•    Whoever organised the jumper decided to split Masters and Supers kits in half with a numbering system confusing all.
During the match
•    Sprit that Eastern Hills played the game in
•    My mark up forward
•    Coach Newboys attempt of trying to get the team to play a wide and open and run to contests rather than standing still?
•    Craig Whitehead debut in the Masters after a year and two games on the long term injury list having at every attempt to get through a training session, resulting in any one of his calf, hamstring, etc deciding to rip, tear or strain. Craig played a great game on debut and it’s good to have you in the team.
Lowlights/Highlights
•    Roger Chapman after returning from several stitches to the side of his eye in round two played well briefly before seeing him hobbling off with a torn hamstring. You will get used to your first year eventually Roger.
•    Turkey Of The Week Award goes to Joro who played a great game with many forward runs, although prior (to my move to the forward line) often resulted in the ball dropping into open space and guys in need of medical assistance as they attempted to make up the space to get possession. Well done and enjoy your meal.
•    What the heck everyone played well and we all enjoyed the game.
Post Match Activity
•    As I prepared myself for another three quarters in the Supers as I am no doubt becoming a valuable member of their team at age 45, the boys enjoyed a great drink with the Eastern Hills blokes in the beer tent.
•    Low light of the day for the Agnello family was when I removed manager Daniels $120 jeans from my football kit and proceeded to leave them at the ground.

To finish up guys my sincere apologies go out once again for the late writing of this article (and spending way too much time on myself). I starting to get very paranoid and worried after the great effort by Nunzio in round two. Let’s all make an effort this week to get whoever we know to play as the trip to Mandurah, especially the early start by the Supers is always a difficult task due to the distance, juniors and/or difficulties in getting out of bed after every ones Saturday night festivities.


Big Joey.