by David Walter

The Gryphs got a football lesson from a genuine finals contender in Ivanhoe last Saturday.

The slick and polished Ivanhoe team gave the Gryphs a glimpse of what is necessary to be successful at this level.

The effort and commitment to the contest could not be faulted; the Gryphs were just outplayed by a superior opposition on the day. We were right in the game until half way through the second quarter. From this point on Ivanhoe starved the Gryphs of possession of the footy and forced basic skill errors and overall deviation from the tempo game style we were trying to implement.

The 16 goal final margin did not do justice to the game. Unfortunately a common theme for this year continued with Ivanhoe kicking a combined total of12 goals in the last 3 minutes of each quarter. Whether this is a lack of fitness or lapse in concentration, this area of our game needs to be addressed urgently.

A terrific last quarter showed that we can match the very good sides in Division 2. We just need to perform at this level for longer periods in matches to get some much needed wins on the board.

Highlights:

To quote Mitch Welsh, ‘If Poundy wasn’t at half back today we would have lost by 200 points’. I agree with Mitch – another excellent game from a classy player who must be accumulating plenty of B & F votes.

Harry – we may have unearthed a gem here. Strong one grab marks and hard in the contest and will only get better with more games.

Chris Fletcher – did his doppelganger (Brett Ratten) proud with another stopping role limiting the output of one of divisions’ best players.

Polly – hard nut and uncompromising attack on the footy. Also found space and finishing skills were excellent all day

Flowers – great to see the champ ripping the ball out of the centre and driving the Gryphs into attack just like days of old.

Mitch Ryan – great effort to play out of position in the ruck. Contested marks around the ground a feature of his game.

Andrew Barrett – last quarter performance when thrown on the ball was simply outstanding. Mitch Ryan’s ‘blood nose brother’.

Freako – did a job for us and one of few who beat his man at almost every contest. Best senior game of the year.

Honourable mentions to A Rob and Squid who battled hard against the odds all day.

To turn around late quarter fade outs and better implement our game plan we need as many senior players as possible to at least attend Thursday night training sessions. If more blokes attend training, the better the sessions can be and it gives the coaching staff the ability to conduct more match simulation and be better prepared for when things are not going our way on match day.

Big home game against a vulnerable Kew this weekend – we have a real opportunity to knock these blokes from their top spot on the ladder. You all should be hurting from the result of our previous encounter with Kew. Who’s willing to rectify the situation Saturday?

(Note: David has been assisting the coaches on matchdays this season in the role of “board man”. Big thanks – great to have him back around the club)