9th June 2007
It's tough at the top
by Adam Bennett

A disappointing result to a game which looked to be going in the Roo's favour. Even at quarter time, and ahead on the half, the Roos could not keep up with the quick Magpies play throughout the second half, and eventually went down fighting by 29 points.

With a strong squad available on the day, the lads were justifiably confident against a Magpies team which seemed to be having trouble getting started this season, but the opening exchanges demonstrated this this was going to be a hard-fought affair. The 'Pies got the first goal of the afternoon, but the Roos swiftly hit back with one from Brent, after good spoiling work from Jules, and then the big man got on the scoresheet, taking a monstrous mark in the 'Pies back line. Late in the quarter, Andy Whits took a great mark in front and took the Roo's in marginally ahead.

The second quarter was more of the same, but the Roos effectively smothered all the clean opportunities that the 'Pies had on goal, and notched two of their own through Grubber and Berry to go into half time with a 14 point lead. The half back line was again performing well, but the game was by no means decided, as Hammersmith showed time and again that they could create space and chances, and were unlucky not to convert some majors.

The 'Pie's halftime team talk was obviously pretty inspiring, as the black-and-whites came out firing in the third quarter, overhauling the Roo's lead to finish the quarter up by 4 points. The playmakers in the Magpie centre were getting more involved and were providing good service into the forwards, which a hard working Roo backline were having trouble repelling the number of balls coming in. Ash and Brent were playing out of their skin, covering most of the back half, and Beattie and Will were getting heavily involved as well.

The final quarter saw some tiring Roo legs give the Magpies just a few too many chances to run into space, and with some quality forwards, the chances were now being converted. Ads was not having his best game against a strong and mobile full forward (isn't that cheating to be both?), and up top the Roos forwards were up against determined defence from a tall and powerful back line, who were favourites with the high balls coming in toward Phil, Andy and Mark. Mick managed to scramble a soccer across the line after some good battle though, to keep the Roo's score ticking over, and Jules was a titan in the middle, dominating the ruck and tackling like a dervish, but even this exam,ple could not drag the lads back from a gap that kept creeping wider.

Final whistle went, and an exhausting Roo's team had a chance to evaluate. We stepped up to the higher standard for precisely this sort of challenge, and this game illustrated some of the basics that we need to work on if we're going to challenge for honours in the future. But even with the loss, this is a far more worthwhile experience, and one we'll all learn something from.

Reading Kangaroos - 7-5-47
Hammersmith Magpies - 11-10-76

Squad: Berry, Ads, Grubber, Whits, Ash, Brent, Dan, Jon, Jules, Kurt, Mark, Beattie, Mick, Paul, Phil, Sam, Ted, Tim, Will, Ian, Ross