Coaches Corner

“WOW” that pretty well sums up the end of game on Saturday. Before I get into details, I must say huge congratulations and well done to Club Captain Stephen Tanner, who played his 100th A grade game for the Onkas on Saturday. Stephen started his A grade career in 1999 at the young age of 16, and has played in the senior side ever since. Stephen spent 2 seasons at North Adelaide in the SANFL in 2004, 2005 but unfortunately sat out 2004 due to a knee reconstruction. After returning to Onkas he has always played with a passion and courage that one so small can be excused for at times, but he has always played 100%. He no’s no other way. In his second year as Captain at the club it was a great thrill for everyone to see us get the win for young “Dibba” on such a special day for him.

Now on to the miracle… Well how did we do it you may ask, well I really want to no how we played so bad in the first half. For such a big game for us as a club, we needed to win to get into the 5, and for Stephen’s 100th there was really a lot riding on this game. But to be down 10 goals to 1 at half time, I was really embarrassed and ashamed by the effort we put in. Half time was a real soul searching exercise where the boys really recognized that had so much more to give. Well the rest they say is history!!

Chris Shee kicked a great captain’s goal with only seconds left it put us 1 point up and just needing to hang on. That we did. The great escape you may say, but certainly a win we needed and one that hopefully sets us alight now. Shaun Smith was fantastic all day at CHB, and Chris Shee with 6 goals was a handful for the opposition. The last hour of footy was very positive and the signs some of younger players are showing are very exciting. Matt Francis, Damian Green and Matt Penny are really starting to play good footy, which is helping our midfield share the load. Mason Angove was awesome in the ruck after half time and really got us going. On a sad note Brad Dubois again got himself a ride in an ambulance after having his finger severely dislocated and really looking like something out of a horror movie. Looks like another few weeks rest for Duds, who just cannot take a trick at the moment. Freaky injuries just keep on finding him.

Another good win for the B grade who just keep on marching on, and really are setting themselves up for a big finals campaign. A huge game for the boys this week, as they play league pace setters Ironbank.

Well as the start of the second round starts, we must just keep winning to make up for our poor start to the season. Hope to see you at a game soon.

Go you Doggies!!

Collo