THE "AROUND THE GROUNDSMAN" ROUND 1 2017

Please note these will be saved under the “Match Report” Tab usually and should be ready by the Monday Arvo after the matches.
Pour yourself a cup of tea – this’ll take a while!

Welcome Back “Rooster Families” to the 2017 Season. 

What a start! Can you believe this weather? I was basking in sunshine Saturday morning and cowering from the rain by Saturday afternoon, that followed us on our travels for round one Sunday. 
It was great to see our boys and girls back playing footy on JE Moore Park and around the other NFL venues. 

Our future superstars were the first to grace the hallowed turf on Sunday Morning as both our under 9’s took to the field at the same time, with the 9 Red team taking on Diamond Creek under the continued guidance of Manny, while 9 Yellow took on Eltham, with first time coach Adrian leading the way with many new youngsters playing their first game of Footy. Lots of fun was had by all. 
Next up was the Under 13’s under new coach Fabulous Phil Stavrou who took on West Ivanhoe in a cracking contest. 
Then the Under 14’s finished the day at home with a contest against Hurstbridge. The boys are coming off a premiership win in the under 13’s and picked up from last year with a very impressive performance to start the year. 
On the road 
The under 11’s with new coach club Legend/Premiership star and all round good guy, Chas in charge Headed out to Wallan to open the season, in difficult conditions the team put up a spirted effort, but found the magpies a bit too strong on the day.
The under 12’s were also at Wallan and jumped out of the blocks early to set up a decisive lead at ¼ that they hung onto throughout the game.
The under 15’s with new Coach, under 19s joint captain Matthew Latouff, headed out to Laurimar in very tough conditions, the boys fought hard all day but came up short on the scoreboard.
The 16 girls kicked off the season with a very impressive performance away at Mill Park, it certainly looked like these young ladies, were inspired by the recent, AFLW comp and from what I see it won’t be long before some of these girls are playing on that big stage. 
Our day was completed by the Under 17’s with new coach Matthew Sleeman in charge, heading out to Hurstbridge and putting in a workman like effort to ease past Hurstbridge. This is a combined under 16/17 team, and it was great to see the chemistry between the boys on the field, the hard work on the track is showing good sign’s for the season ahead. 
As for our brilliant under 10’s, Keon Park were not able to field a side, so they will have to wait till after Easter to get involved in the action. 

In my travels I overhead a number of conversations about the fixturing for round 2 and beyond. The NFL will release these in due course. We must all be patient to find out the next opponents.
It was a great start to the junior side of the club for 2017, good luck to you all for the remainder of the season.

On the senior side of things – lots has been happening on and off the field. 

We have a new Women’s team who have already made history by being a part of the first ever NFL Women’s match when they took on Whitehorse back on April 1 on the hallowed Turf. It was a cracking contest, played in great spirit and in front of a great crowd. Coach Brett “Polly” Pollard has done a great job over the pre-season for a lot of the team. it was their first ever game of football, well done to all. 
Put April 23 at 3pm in you diary, as the Ladies take to the field again at Home against VU Western Spurs in their next match. 

The senior Men have also had much change, with old club legend Rob Maiorana returning as the new senior coach this year, and an excellent recruiting drive that see’s Geelong Premiership star Matthew Stokes, Carlton 200 gamer Andrew Walker and former Saint Ahmed Saad joining the Roosters this season. They join an impressive bunch of home grown Rooster talent that will give the Division 1 flag a big shake. 
Already the boys have two impressive win’s on board with a hard fought victory over defending Premiers Heidelberg in the stand alone clash on April 1, While Friday night under the lights at Northcote Park saw a comeback for the ages, trailing by as much as 42 points in the 3rd quarter the boys stormed home with an exhilarating 7 goal last term to claim a 10 point win that had the impressive away crowd in raptures. 
In the words of the coach a good start to the season, but still much work to be done. Like the juniors, the boys have Easter off, before they take on newly promoted Hurstbridge at J E Moore park on Saturday April 22, again put it in your diaries and get down to support the boys and enjoy a great day at the footy. 

The reserves have also started the season well with two solid wins, while the under 19’s had a bye against Heidelberg, and came up short against Northcote Park, but with a young group we can expect a lot of improvement as the year progresses. 

Memberships are still available for purchase, ask at the club – they vary in prices and benefits and it’s a great way to support the club. 

For news on upcoming events get onto team app and the website and I’ll keep you as informed as I can. 

Enjoy the Easter break, be safe and we’ll see you all back on board in a couple of week. 

2017 The Year of the Rooster! 

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