(yes, Dobs you get a mention!)
21 grey sharks made the journey to Lobethal, famous for its Christmas lights. Where land is cheap and the oval is big and wide, leaving Mark Kozned, to ponder should he have done more preseason sessions?
With the first game running half hour over time, the grey sharks were warmed up, run down and exhausted before the first bounce.
The godfather of the grey sharks Curtis Eyles blessed us with his presence, returning from far north WA for the game (not sure the club can fit all his airfares in the salary cap). On the plus side it’s the first time we have seen the number 8 guernsey, hand ball in a game of masters footy.
Andrew Stagg came in for his first game, with his young daughter’s words ringing in his ears" daddy you look funny". He didn’t look funny for long, picking up possessions around the ground and kicking a couple of goals, one from the boundary.
Dobs put on a clinic in the first 10 minutes, looking more like a Harlem Globe Trotter, taking possession behind his head, putting boot to ball before he landed on the ground and kicking a goal. This was the first of a couple score board entries for the spiritual leader of the grey sharks.
Dave Mugge (Miggy) fronted up for his first game with the grey sharks, and took some telling marks around the ground. The umpire was a little concerned with Miggy, saying to him “you seem to be enjoying this game a little too much”
Blair Baxter (Mr Clean) threw himself in to every thing, taking marks and earning frees, inside 50. One kick for goal, he lined up like a drop punt but it turned into spiral punt and went straight through the middle of the big sticks. The next kick from a similar position missed for a point. I did hear that his wife was very excited with the way he played the game.
Rob the package, was every where marking, running with the ball in one hand not unlike the great MJ (Michael Jordan) and cutting through the opposition.
Gary Ashton continued his running game, backing up a “C” grade on Saturday and a Masters game on Sunday, he did cause some concern when in the last quarter, a hip and shoulder dropped him like he was shot.
Alistair was impressive with his attack on the ball.
The first half was a fairly one side affair, with the grey sharks dominating Rosewater. The second half the tables were turned with Rosewater finding their way, scoring several back to back goals. The last quarter was a tough and hard affair, played at full speed. Trevor, Jace, Koota and big Brad (wearing his support hosiery) put the result in the grey sharks favour, and they ran out winners on the big Lobethal deck.
(Not to forget the Big Kitey outworking 3 Rosewater Players in the goal square to score a very rare goal for the big boy, after a nice pass from Rainsford!!)
Thanks to Lisa, for doing the strapping and rubbing today, in Sara absence.
Special thanks to Rhys, Jamie, James, Manning, Bailey & Drew for running water today, some players needed more water than others.