The season so far has been very up and down for the 4ths and the trend continued in round 6. Coming off a stirring victory over Wembley, the boys went into the game against Whitfords fairly confident even though they were only behind us on the ladder on percentage. Several guys infact mentioned before the game that they’d never played in a winning team against Whitfords in all there years of sport. Sadly this hoodoo could not be broken with West Coast falling victim 15.11.101 to 3.4.22.
The first half was where the game was won with West Coast scoring one goal to half time and trailing 72 to 6 at the main break. The frustration in the players was evident half way through the 2nd quarter when two West Coast players were sent off and two others ignored the orders of the umpire to take a 15 minute rest. One of Whitfords players was also given his marching orders. This all conspired from a Johnny Mac bump which although probably would have got 4 weeks in the soft game that is AFL today, was fair in the minds of most Amateur footballers. The confrontation that followed resulted in Johnny Mac and Big Si being yellow carded.
Too early injuries to two of the Tigers’ bigger men also didn’t help especially given the size of the Whitfords team. Petey went down with a suspected AC and Joey copped a nasty knock to the knee. The Tigers’ skills in the first half were appalling and players were unnecessarily rushing their disposal often under perceived pressure. The lack of talk compounded this problem and hence the 4s went in at half time very dejected with several players having gotten angry at their teammates on the field. This is something we must look to rectify quickly if we want to get our season back on track particularly with North Freo next week.
Thankfully we managed to restore some pride in the second half and the contest was much more even with Whitfords scoring 4.5 to West Coast’s 2.4. The key players in this turn around were Glassy in the guts and Brocky and Broomy across half back. Other mentions go to Crimmo who fought hard in his first game for the season after doing his hammy in a scratch match, Lofty (Geoff) for chipping in with 2 goals and Lloydy for taking on the challenge of rucking for the first time in his career.
Most of the 4s players and a few 3s boys were able to drown their sorrows on the way back with a bus trip involving top quality Emu Export, goon skulls, subs and a few Bundy OP Rums. This was all a good laugh and lifted the lads’ spirit, so much so that there was further team bonding with a night out on the town; which is sketchy for most involved.
