Walkerville Football Club

Latest Results

A Grade

lost to St Peters

5.10.40 - 7.13.55

B Grade

def St Peters

6.7.43 - 5.6.36

C Grade

lost to St Peters

1.2.8 - 15.6.96

Major Sponsors

Sussex Hotel

Ashby Roma & Co

Pegi Williams Book Shop

James Thredgold Jeweller

FRS Legal

Dark Day For The Cats

The Walkerville A grade ventured down the road to St Peters to play old rivals SPOC in the Anzac Day Round 3 fixture. Having won the first 2 matches of the season, this presented a great opportunity for the team to consolidate their position in the top 3. Unfortunately this was not to be.

The Cats went into the match with 6 forced changes, due to injuries and unavailability and welcomed Tom Wilson in for his first A grade game for the club.

Classic winter, wet weather conditions confronted both teams, although it must be noted that the B grade copped basically all of the days rainfall, which left the oval flooded, therefore presenting both playing groups with challenging conditions. The Cats produced a sensational start, with Wade Ryan leading strongly from full forward to have 3 first quarter goals. Walkerville seemed to be handling the wet-weather conditions better than their opposition, as the Cats small-men were continually first to the football and in-and-under with intent. This style of play was led by Chad Beard, who was clearly best for the Cats all day long.

Walkerville went to the first break up 4 goals to 1 and with an early goal in the second quarter, the lead had blown out to four goals. The conditions however, began to improve, as the rain stayed away and SPOC began to slowly turn the tide, as the second quarter progressed. A lead of 3 goals at half time was promising, however, could have been more.

The second quarter was one to forget, as the Cats failed to kick a goal for the entire half. If watching the game, you would have thought that the teams had swapped jumpers at the half time break. Walkerville went from being first at it, to trailing their opponents to most contests. In the end, SPOC would run away with a 15 point victory 7-13 to Walkerville’s 5-10.

Best Players: C.Beard, J.Gould, A.Law. W.Ryan

Goals: W.Ryan 4, T.Wilson 1

Cats Make It 3 In A Row

The B grade were looking to continue there good form against a team that they have had trouble against over the last few years, as they ran out on to the very wet Saints Oval. With several changes made from the week before, the cats again took on a different look. In this week for there first game in the b grade this year was Peter “Bagger” Mudge, Charlie “the Wise” Giles, Matt “Utility” James, Simon “Juddy” Randel, Adam “Premium Ice” Hann and Brag “Pig” Cagney.

With the conditions becoming the normal for the Walkerville Vs Saints games, the cats had to learn from previous encounters and play a different brand of footy that would suit the wind and the rain. After listening to a stirring ANZAC pre game speech from Zac “Spud” Munn the cats started off kicking against the wind and had the better start as they were able to move the ball up the ground and make there most of limited opportunities. The Defence was holding strong and helped repel any advances that the Saints made.

In the second quarter that cats had the wind and used it better then there opposition. By kicking long and using there big forward targets where able to pull further ahead. A special mention need to go to Steve "punching bag" Dearmo, who while sticking up for a mate copped one square in the nose. While his teams mates were still prepared to fly the flag for him, the boys continued to make the ball there main objective and made it count on the score board helping to build a solid lead at half time.

During the half time break, Super Coach Gary Cock put the challenge to his charges to remain disciplined and to make sure the game plan and style was still the main aim. To their credit, the guys responded to Cocky's request and carried it out to a tee. While the wind had dropped, the rain fell harder which made ball movement even tougher. Tony “Salt and Papa” Paparella, Brett “twinny” Rawlins and Charlie “The Wise” Giles were all very good as they plugged each hole and were helped by the midfield in stopping the saints from kicking a goal during the 3rd quarter.

In the final quarter both teams were out on there feet but the cats were able to hold out the saint’s last final charge and ran out with 7 point win. Walkerville 6.7 43 to the saints 5.6 36. In the after match press conference Super Coach Gary Cock was quoted in saying it was a very disciplined win, we laid out a specific "game plan" for the horrific conditions and the boys carried it out to a tee. very pleasing!!

Best Players: Saxon “Womby”Kay, Zac “Spudy” Munn, Tony “Salt and Papa” Paparella, Scott “Ranga” Ramsay, Peter “Bagger” Mudge.

Goal Kickers: 3 Brett “Buckets” Smid, 1 Brad “Pig” Cagney, Liam “Cheesy” Parker, Liam “Twinny” Rawlings.

A Week Is A Long Time In Football

Well we have heard all the cliches during a football season, whether it be the coach, players or the media. But the saying that, "A week is a long time in football" can be so true, but on Saturday I must say that 2 hours is a bloody long time in football, nearly more excruciating than sitting in the dentist waiting room, but only just!

The conditions improved for the start of the game without a drop of rain felt from first bounce to final siren, so conditions were good for football, with a 3 goal prevailing wind blowing to the scoreboard pocket.

The mood before the game set the tone for the day and many players proved where their minds were before the game and this was a very similar place to the way they presented themself in the first quarter. SPOC came to play and that they did, with winners across all lines and proceeded to run the ball without opposition or continued to put the backline under extreme pressure.

With a lack of depth in key positions the team was up against it, then to lose Conrad 'Junk Yard Dog' Wilkins early in the first quarter didn't help the day, with changes needed to be made to fill a hole in the back line. John 'Hoppa' Harrison suited up for his first game this season and produced his relaible honest effort across half back and the damage on the scoreboard could have been far worse. Mark '1st Gear' Dearman moved from the wing to the backline playing one of his more responsible roles, spoiling when required, attacking the ball and running the ball out of the backline with purpose.

At half time there were changes needed a magnets thrown in the air, but it was like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

Ian 'Hyphen' Mazure-Johnson was given his first football lesson and given the job to tag one of their on-ballers who had experience that would be invaluable to the 'Hyphens' development and he did the job well. Jordan 'Ronald' Chapman continued to roam all over the ground giving his all without the opportunity to rest, scragging opposition players and being found on the bottom of the pack when the whistle was blown. John 'J.D' Munn was superb in the ruck and started to gain confidence in his body as he began to take contested marks around the ground. His effort and leadership on the field was good to see and hopefully the other players will take a part of this with them into the rest of the season.

The final siren was the start of preparing for next week and the rest of the season. This will be put in the memory back for future reference and players should be able to take plenty out of the game to improve going forward.

With 15 players unavailable throughout the A & B grade there will be plenty of competition for places in the team and results on the paddock, with a continued improvement on the training track will be the only guarantee for a game going forward.

Final score: Walkerville 1.2.8 lost to S.P.O.C 15.6.96

Goalkicker: B.Felice 1.2

Best Players: J.Munn (Sussex), J.Harrison (Woodville Bowl), J.Chapman (Club Meal), M.Dearman & I.Mazure-Johnson (Jug) (Editors Note: Both jugs were seen to go into pockets straight after presentations and NOT shared amongst the C Grade players who had made the effort to make it to presentations!)

This week sees the second triple-header of the season against Salisbury with a 10:15am start, followed by the B & A grade, but inclusive of 'Ladies Day' and an organised 'eye candy' fashion parade at half time of the A Grade match!

Fixtures

A Grade

v Salisbury

2:15pm Start

B Grade

v Salisbury

12:15pm Start

C Grade

v Salisbury

10:15pm Start

Upcoming Social Functions

Ladies Day 2 May

Family Day 16 May

Food & Wine Night 16 May