2nd June 2007
Roo's Bulldog hopefuls test themselves Manchester
by Adam Bennett

With no fixture this weekend, most of the Roos took the opportunity to recover from knocks, indulge in maybe one or two more beers than they would usually and generally rest up for next week's crunch tie against the Magpies. Unable to let go of the footy bug though, four of thr Roo's Brits made their way up to Manchester, to join old friends from the Nottingham Scorpions in a combined team against the Manchester Mosquitos.

Originally planned as a GB Bulldogs practice match, selection was hampered by a nearly full roster of league matches and general player unavailability. Undaunted by a skeleton squad, the Scorpions and Roos arrived in Manchester on a great day for footy and took the field against the Mossies. Big hand to new WAG Eva as well, who made the long trip up to support (and sunbathe) - could Selina have competition for the #1 supporter position?

Right from the off, one thing was obvious - it was bloody hot out there! Full marks to Phil and Luke for keeping the water going. The game started with the lads against the wind, but showing quality all over the pitch. With several newcomers in the team, you might have thought it'd be a patchy performance, but everyone stepped their game up. It was also great to see Crusher back on his feet, and though it won't be until November when he starts training again, it's a relief to know that he's on the way back from a horrendous injury.

At the back, Ads was in typically solid form, getting a big fist or grab on most aerial assaults, but pride of place was going to Paul, who was playing out of his skin against a mobile Mossies half-forward line. Time and again he made greats reads of bounces and had obviously been learning from the Roo's half backs over the last few weeks. A real testament to his potential and development over the first part of the season.

In the middle of the park, Grubber was tackling an unfamiliar ruck role with gusto, outleaping his opposite number time and again and getting some Jules-like punches to hammer the ball down the pitch. Although not as free as he would usually have liked, he also got into space well and was in great form running with the ball and pumping it into the front line....

....where a hard-working full forward by the name of Whits was having mixed fortunes against an experienced Mossies defence. Without the pinpoint service he's been getting over the last few weeks (on those rare occasions when Phil lets him have a touch), the clean grabs were much more difficult to come by, and the swirling wind made good opportunities on goal a rarity. Nobody could fault the commitment at the ball though, as time and again Whits threw himself into grinders where most mortals would fear to tread, even getting sent for a complete somersault by one challenge when about 8 feet up.

Playing a bare 12, against a team with some good standard Aussies and regular fresh legs, the boys battled hard throughout the four quarters, but never managed to open up a decisive gap. Three goals up going into the final quarter, some tiring legs saw the Mossies playmakers get free a couple of times too often, and the outnumbered backline could do nothing to prevent some simple goals. Whits slotted a traditional soccer through to give a respite, and the Mossies gave a let-off when, trying to get a better position on front of goal, a lofted ball fell just too close to Ads' fist of fury, which dispatched the ball some distance downfield.

Grubber had worked wonders to get around the pitch all game, but with his calves well and truly giving out, held a much more central role, which allowed him to swoop on several loose balls and get them forward. Paul battled hard, swapping into the guts to give Dom a breather. With the seconds ticking downand the gap at 3 points, some great tackling at the back gave Ads a chance to rampage, taking a couple of bounces before ripping off a shot which was dead straight until a pothole got in the way, going through for his first point of the season. Luckily, the siren sounded as Ads knelt on the floor swearing, so the Mossies never got the chance to claw it back - the boys had done it!

Although disappointing that it could never be considered a full GB squad, it was great to get the lads in front of the national coach's eyes again, and particularly with the great performances that people gave.

Squad: From the Roo's - Ads, Paul, Whits and Grubber. From the Scorpions - Dom, Keith, Jamie, Rob, Ash, Vinnie, Ollie, Tony (sorry for the omission mate!)