The reserves team this week was very strong, especially following the late inclusion injection of Junior to the team. The boys were fired up early and keen to have a big win, although it was the home side that started well early after winning the toss and kicking with a strong breeze for the first 3 goals of the game. The boys fought back well and levelled scores at quarter time following great work in the middle by Spud, Hunts, Bubsy, Kingy and Browny. Jimmy Grinter continued his run of good form, highlighted by a Patrick Dangerfield-esque run down the wing.

The second quarter we were kicking with the wind and it started raining goals with seven for the quarter. The forward line was working well with Sleep, O’Donoghue, Combridge, King, Chislett and Dobson all cashing in on first class delivery from the middle of the ground – Pete Carter, Spud, Brownie and Bubsy all getting a mountain of the ball and pumping it inside 50. The backline was also solid with Gabe Williams, Toose, Whoooochachacha and Dougy Ford taking strong intercept marks and not conceding a goal for the quarter.

Following a rest at half time and instruction from the coach to play smart into the breeze, we kicked 5 goals to 2 against the wind to set up the win. Dobson and Davidson were a crafty combination up forward, cleaning up the crumbs and kicking 2 each for the quarter. Sleep in his role playing behind the ball was also important. Legs found his legs after being overcome by “nerves” at half time and losing his “breakfast” – his move into the ruck was a good one as he started winning every clearance. Nick Marchbank was also solid at CHB and in the ruck.

The last quarter we had the wind and all the talk was about the race for the prestigious NOBS reserves goal kicking award. Dobson (17) was in the lead and keen to cement his place at the top of the tree, O’Donoghue (13) refusing to handball to him on several occasions – Con played his part, dragging both players after kicking their fourth goals just to keep a lid on it. The last quarter was party time and who better lead the party than Danny “the King” King and Chris “Junior” Colman with their attack on the ball and unbridled enthusiasm for the contest. Sam Toose playing loose man in the forward line also had a good quarter as did Sleep, Spud (again), Brownie, Chiz and the backline (again not conceding a goal) lead by Ford, Gabe and Jimmy Grints.

A 14 goal win a good reward for hard work all season for a team that is getting it right at the pointy end of the season (despite the fact they won’t make finals).