2008 ROUND 7
Melbourne Lions vs LUSC Third XI 2 - 1

Goals:
Dimoski, Michael (18)
Jones-Roberts, Tristan (40)

Go Back to Thirds Team Page here


Today, we came up against an opposition with whom we were familiar with after some players of the current team had played against them last season. They could be described as a team who just likes to play the game with most other aspects of the game largely ignored. Having played well, winning consistently in the weeks before and without our coach for the day, we entered the match under these similar circumstances when we played this team last season when we lost. As a result, we were keen to avoid a repeat of this.

In the pre-game we were asked to focus on some key areas for the day in order to improve both individually and as a team.

Most of our preparation for the game was right, however some players need to learn to switch on in the warm up and treat it like the start of the match. This means showing a bit more enthusiasm and desire to play the game and putting in the hard yards. Simply saying "I'll do better during the match" isn't good enough.

As was expected, after having gone through our warm up and team talk and ready to start the match, we were still without an opposition. On cue the delivery cars turned up and unloaded the opposition. Without their team book in order, we were forced to wait to commence the game. As a result our halves were reduced.

It was disappointing that as a result of the opposition, that our preparation for the game and willingness to commence was hampered.

After the game eventually kicked-off, we started in a respectable manner doing our best to pass the ball around and get our movement going.

It was not long before Big Mika opened the scoring with a good finish. To that point we had created several chances, so it was good that we took one.

After the goal however, there was the sense that we would run over the opposition given our respective positions on the ladder and most of our results to date. However that was not the case and complacency set in. Although we were in front and had created chances, there was an element of something missing from the side. It seemed to be a lack of overall desire to impose ourselves on the match and put it beyond doubt. There was also a little bit of players neglecting their defensive responsibility and being on train tracks. The opposition with their no-fear/ flood forward attacking style started to look threatening. Often adopting a strategy of soaking up attacking thrusts before bursting forward on the counter attack with several options in front of the ball. On countless occasions, they would seek to draw the next man out and getting him to commit to the tackle, before showing some fancy footwork and sidestepping to open up gaps. Their unconventional tactic was something we had not encountered before and left some of our players unsure with how to defend their attacks.

After some threatening attacking moves, they finally unlocked out defence when they were lucky enough to regain possession from some pingpong passing and put through one of their midfielders who found a gap between our defence. There was not much Dukes could do under the circumstances. With our defence breached, we showed some resolve to answer the challenge. We continued to create some chances, one of which was brilliantly finished by Tristan with a mid-air jumping volley from about 6 yards our following a good cross from the left by Kaiden (?).

However, the first half wasn't over there and Dukes was called into action making a good save to deny the opposition.

Entering half time with score 2-1, we had not played to our potential which was evident by the flat feeling towards the end of the first half. With Raf away, Paul delivered the half time talk with the message being to get the talk going on the pitch and to use the second half and make it better than the first. The second half involved sustained passages of attacking play with the opposition reduced to counter attacks and heaping players forward. Kaiden went on a mazing run into the box and was upended by a clumsy tackle. After having converted a couple of weeks earlier, up stepped Captain Calm to take the penalty. He hit the penalty well, stranding the keeper, only for the ball to come back directly to him off the upright, before sending the rebound way over the top. This was a let- off for opposition. A third goal could have really broken their spirits and opened up the game for several more goals.

We reacted well and created several clear-cut chances but just failed to find both the accuracy and penetration needed to convert. The rest of the 2nd half involved countless attacks with the opposition reduced to the odd counter attack where our defence was steady enough to null any half threat that the opposition conjured. For our part, Onur was proving a continual avenue for attack and provided many great run both on and off the ball.

With the score remaining 2-1 at full time, we managed to come away with the win without playing to any dazzling height. Our finishing left a little to be desired. Onur, Kaiden and Tristan were among the better players, although in truth most of the team were down on their best today. Overall a fighting, character building win which we managed to grind out.

One thing we can definitely learn from this match is that we have to learn to adopt to our opposition and the situation we find ourselves in during our matches. The opposition provided a style we had not seen before today, this season. By doing so we will ensure that we improve as a team and add different dimensions to our game. It was pleasing to see that when we were challenged, we pulled out enough to get the win.