Thanks for your wonderful support today of the Gisborne initiative to assist the efforts of the Helping Hand Program, by donating pantry items.  There was a huge amount of good quality items that I am sure will find its way to those who most need it.   Even within the Macedon Ranges, some families find it difficult to put food on the table - so its great that we can help out in some way.

 

Playing our nearest neighbour for the return bout saw a reversal of fortunes for the under 10 & 12s, and similar results for the under 14s & 16s.

 

• Having lost the first time around, Gisborne were really determined to win.  It was a dour struggle, and after falling behind by 3 goals at half time, the CATS weren't able to peg it back, with the scores ending CATS 1-2-8 to 3-8-26.  As we have seen all year with the boys, they never give up and keep striving until the final siren.  Gisborne has many 2nd year players, so the future looks good for the CATS as we were able to run with them for most of the day.

• The under 12s were on a mission to prove a point having lost the first bout - and the point was made.  A great defensive start from the boys and an attacking 2nd quarter saw them well ahead at the major break.  There was no time to rest though, so the boys played out the second half of footy to win comfortably and show Gisborne (who we held goal-less) that we are a force in 2011.

• The under 14 match saw the Gisborne side play some great footy, which saw them in front at the major break.  Gisborne were assisted with some wayward shots at goals by the CATS - perhaps we watched Collingwood the night before - but we slowly turned it around.  So it was very exciting when the CATS finally hit the front midway through term 3 - then there was no stopping us with some great play.  Final scores saw the CATS 6-11-47 to 5-2-32.

• The under 16s were up against an undermanned Gisborne and ran out convincing winners - but the scoreboard didn't reflect the physical nature of the match.  There were some very hard hits.  What was very pleasing for all to see was the way the CATS shared the ball around, particularly in front of goal.

All games saw some very determined play from the CATS.  Whether leading or behind, the boys played with courage and never gave up a contest - that's all we want from our players.  Well done to all.

 

It may have been a beautiful sunny day at Gisborne, but it was an icy breeze!  Fortunately we had plenty of merchandise to wear!  Don't forget to contact Narelle for your order.

 

Next week we host Sunbury Lions before the school break......

A real up and down day today - a great victory, two narrow losses and a result to forget.  All played in good spirits which is what we want to see, and in conditions that were very trying for both spectators and players.  Round 8 is the first return match, and a good indication of where we stand against the opposition.

• What a turn around from round 1, when we were defeated by 46 points!!. Today we were the victors (albeit narrowly) Cats 1-4-10 to 1-1-7.   Woodend were held scoreless after quarter time, and we clawed our way back - but didn't hit the lead until the final minutes.  Perseverance!   This victory, and the way we have been playing lately, shows the improvement in our team as we learn how to play the team sport of AFL -  a step up from Auskick.  The song was sung loud and long (little did we know that it would the only time today!)
  
• Well..... a tough day for the coaching panel of the under 12s, and the boys and this was reflected on the scoreboard - but I won't repeat it here.  Woodend are a good team, but we were well down from our best, and know what we need to do to get back on top.  A hard week on the training track awaits.
  
  
• Woodend jumped us early and we were not able to claw our way back.  We stuck at it though which was very pleasing, but ran out of time.  Final scores 5-6-36 to 7-5-47.  We held them scoreless in the last, but the 3/4 time lead was too much.  We continue to learn and are showing great passages of play each week, that is pleasing for all to see.
  
• What a nail biter.... a gripping tussle all day until the final siren.  Like the preceding game, we were playing catchup all day, but just ran out of time.  Final scores CATS 6-7-43 to Woodend 6-8-44.  Another minute and we may have heard the song again but it wasn't to be.  It has been a year of attrition for the U16s with 6 players missing today, and an u14 (Ed Morrissey, thanks mate) helping out ensuring that we had a bench.

Well, we're 1/2 way through the home and away season of 2011.  I think it has gone extremely well both on & off the field.  Teams have been brilliantly supported by coaches, team managers, trainers, parent helpers and most importantly the players.  Great support at committee level also.  We commenced the season with the Codes of Conduct in mind, and it has helped as we have supported each other so that our Sundays are enjoyable.  I feel very fortunate that my boys are playing with the Macedon Cats.

To all the under 16s who thought Romsey was cold and windy - you should have been at Rolling Meadows.  There were several analogies about how cold it was, but I won't print them here - needless to say, it was bitter at both locations.

• The under 10s continue to improve and had another great win today against Rolling Meadows.  It was a real nail biter as the boys held onto a lead achieved against the wind - quite unexpectedly when you consider the wind advantage toward the city end.  Footy can be difficult at the best of times, but in such a wind (gale?) it made it very tough.  We hung on to win 3-1-19 to 2-0-12.
• In the first quarter of the under 12s, Rolling Meadows kicked an impressive 3-2 with the aid of a 25 knot, ice-cold blast behind them - but from quarter time onwards the Cats where equal to the challenge of the ladder leaders so much so that we outscored them.  But the first quarter lead proved insurmountable, finally falling short 2-2-14 to 4-6-30. Rolling Meadows had size - but the Cats had skill and speed - the boys will be looking forward to hosting them on our turf for the last game of the season.
• The scoreboard indicated that the under 14s out played the opposition in 3 of the 4 quarters to win easily - but it was still a tough, physical game.  There was plenty of body contact and close contests and even in the fluky conditions we showed plenty of skill.  Lots of passes by hand and foot allowed us to move the ball quickly, particularly into the wind.  Final score 8-8-56 to 2-3-15.  
• The under 16s played Romsey, who have recently come down from division 1 so were very keen to do well - and they did.  They also had the practice game loss to avenge so they hit us hard.  Romsey played good footy and showed us up by being first to the ball and playing the wind very well winning 10-8-68 to the Cats 7-8-50.  We have many injuries, and are looking forward to the return of those lads - great to see you at the game today showing your support.

As we will all be celebrating the Queen's Birthday next weekend, there will be no time for junior football - so we reconvene 19th June at home, hosting Woodend.  The return bouts commence.  So at the halfway mark.......

• Under 10s - 5th with 4 wins / 3 losses
• Under 12s - 3rd with 4 wins / 3 losses
• Under 14s - 4th with 5 wins / 2 losses 
• Under 16s - 3rd with 4 wins / 3 losses

Fantastic scoreboard results, but junior footy is more than that (the 4Fs remember), so congratulations to all for making Sundays very pleasant.

See you in 14 days......

 

Another great day at Tony Clarke, with plenty of skill, teamwork and sportsmanship shown on (and off)  the field.  Net result was Macedon 3 versus Rupertswood 1...... but it wasn't all our way.  The contests were all very good and a great advert for junior football, which has had bad press of late - so well done.

 

• The under 10s could have put the game beyond Rupo's reach by half time, but just couldn't quite convert their points to goals.  Rupo scored a few late goals to secure the win in a very exciting finish.  The under 10s continue to improve and many players bely the fact that today's game was only their 6th.  If you are not sure just how big Tony Clarke oval is - ask the under 10s.  Final scores Cats 2-6-18 to Rupo 4-3-27....so close.
• The under 12s continue to improve each week and today, slowly but surely pulled away from Rupo each quarter.  The guys love to share the ball around by hand and foot and it's enjoyable to watch.  The skill improvement is easy to see.  The song was belted out with the score showing Cats 5-5-35 to Rupo 1-3-9.
• The under 14s were ahead all day, but couldn't quite close the door on Rupo until the final siren.  The margin was a comfortable 11 points at the end of the day - Cats 6-9-45 to 5-8-34 - but it wasn't over until the final siren.  In fact Rupo scored the final 2 goals making it a little tense for the fans.
• The under 16s capped off great day with a talented performance to defeat Rupo 13-11-89 to 7-7-49.  You may think from the scoreboard that it was an easy win... but far from it.  Rupo played well but couldn't finish off their good play - but the Cats did with some great goal kicking... and that was the difference.

ON-FIELD PERSONNEL

 

You may have read the strife Paul Roos was in because he ran onto the field during an under 16 match.  The rules are quite clear and entirely supported by MJFC.  Only trainers, runners and water carriers are allowed onto the field of play - and even then,  their time spent on the field and what they can say or do are prescribed by the RDFL.  In the event of an injury, the MJFC trainer only will attend the player - it's what they are trained to do - and they may seek assistance from the runner or the opposition trainer depending on the assessment.   Coaching staff and parents cannot enter the ground for several reasons, including - they may interfere with or disrupt play, come in contact with other players, impact the effectiveness of the trainer to perform their role and generally cause confusion.

 

If the injury is deemed significant or interfering with play, the Umpire will stop the play.  Then it may be of benefit to the player for a parent to provide comfort, but only when escorted by the Team Manager.

 

Thank you for your cooperation with this and other rules and guidelines within the code of conduct.

 

 

ROUND 7

 

Next week the under 10s, 12s and 14s travel to Rolling Meadows as we reach the mid-point of the season.  Please make your own way there - i'm saying nothing!!

 

The under 16s play at Romsey 2.30pm.  If the other age groups can make their way there on the return from Rolling Meadows, the extra support will be appreciated.

 

go CATS,

Hi CATS,

Hi CATS,

 

Happy Mother's Day to all the mums......... and what a treat to be taken to Boardman Oval precinct today to watch your sons in action.  Last week I described the day as picture perfect......not sure what today was - perhaps cold and drizzly may be best.

 

Be that as it may, it was still an enjoyable day at the footy.  We haven't played the Lions for a long time, so weren't sure what to expect.  All 4 teams can be very pleased with the way they played footy and represented MJFC on and off the field....

 

• The under 10s have certainly got that winning feeling bringing up two wins in a row.  Unlike last week where the goals were difficult to find, a few more were notched up today.  Our defensive pressure was great, as seen on the scoreboard - the Lions didn't have an easy shot at goal all day - and it wasn't until the end that we inched away to win 4-8-32 to 1-13-19.
• The under 12s put together 4 quarters of great footy to notch their first win..... well done boys. They have been so close this year, but put the frustration behind them to run away winning 9-11-65 to 3-4-22.  There was plenty of fast ball movement and the boys adjusted well as the conditions got slippery during the game.
• The under 14s suffered their first loss for the year.  The Lions U14s are their strongest side and that showed as they outplayed our boys - but we battled on all day and their were many instances where we through ourselves into the contest at our own peril.  Cats 2-7-19 to Lions 6-7-43.
• The day got colder and wetter, and the under 16s adjusted very well and played great footy winning comfortably, 17-19-121 to 2-2-14.  That may appear to be an easy day on the park, but it was anything but!  The Lions were a very physical side who through everything at the boys.  It was hard, tough footy but the Cats showed plenty of discipline to play the ball which converted into goals and a great win.

I encouraged everyone last week to listen into the coaches at the huddles..... well.... maybe next week as the wind and rain made it a little unpleasant.  But I was told they were all inspirational - it was difficult to hear from the verandah.....

 

TRAINERS

 

I would like to thank our talented and caring troupe of trainers - Peter Morris, Renate Deveson, Geoff Randall, Matt Stewart and Tim Douglas.  The committee, parents and players all feel much more at ease when we know there is support for the players should they suffer an injury.  If your player is feeling a little sore after a game, please do not hesitate in seeking out one of the trainers to have it looked at before you leave.  Some niggles can get worse if they aren't treated immediately.  We have plenty of bags of ice that you can take away with you and that can prevent bad bruising.

 

If you would like to be involved and become a trainer, please let me know.  We currently have a great environment to learn the necessary skills that are valuable and transferable into everyday life.

 

GO CATS

 

What a great day for football - picture perfect....and nice to be at home.  I received many compliments from the Gisborne families too about the Tony Clarke reserve....we are indeed lucky.

 

Thanks to all parent helpers today, and it's good to see the social circuit up and running in the canteen.  A huge thank you to Narelle Potter & Kellie Spry for their wonderful coordination in the canteen.  And weren't those bacon & egg sandwiches a welcome treat on a Sunday morning - thanks Dermot Moody.

 

We hosted our nearest neighbours - Gisborne - for the first time in many years, and the way we played and the results were very good......

 

• The under 10 match was a dour struggle with the scores locked at 0-0 at half-time.  The deadlock was broken by a great 3rd quarter goal by the Cats.  But it was Gisborne who appeared destined to win as they inched in front as the minutes ticked by...... but a great goal, followed by some solid defence, saw the Cats victors by 3 points.  Cats 2-0-12 to 1-3-9.   A first up win for many boys and the song sung with great gusto.
• The under 12 match was very entertaining with great skill shown by many players.  They say the 3rd quarter is the premiership quarter - and that was certainly the case....unfortunately for the Cats, it was Gisborne who played well in that quarter, scoring 4 of their 7 goals.  So it was only one quarter that we were out played, but we battled on and were on the way back when the final siren sounded.  Final score Cats 5-2-32 to Gisborne 7-4-46.
• The under 14s continued their winning form with a comprehensive win, 9-8-62 to Gisborne 3-0-18.  With the scores locked at 2 goals each at quarter time, a tough battle looked likely, but the Cats piled on the goals to win well.  They are playing with great confidence and are really enjoying Nipper's influence.  The talls are playing really tall, and the smalls are running with great pace and they are sharing the ball around with hand and foot.
• The under 16s started by conceding the first goal, but soon got on top of Gisborne and won well 16-10-106 to 3-6-24.  They played exciting football and showed what they are capable of - so round one must have been an aberration. 

I'd also like to congratulate our coaches who conduct themselves impeccably and relate so well with their players, offering encouragement and positive coaching tips in a way that has become synonymous with the CATS ethos.  I encourage all parents and friends to listen in on the pre-match and quarter huddle speeches. 

 

As you can see, it was a memorable day both on and off the field with all players and supporters enjoying a pleasant Sunday.......next week we travel to Sunbury to play the Lions , who like Gisborne, we haven't played for many years........ see you all at training through the week.

 

GO CATS

Hi CATS,