IN THEIR WORDS – JAY VAN BERLO ROUND 19

GOAL kicking is a crucial part of our game, and something that over the years has arguably failed to improve. This year as a midfield group we have made a focus to hit the scoreboard a bit more to help take some pressure off the forward line and improve as a team.

With this comes some banter around the clubrooms about which line contributes the most to the team’s success (despite everyone already being aware that the midfield carries the group). 

On Tuesday night we held a goal kicking competition, which pitted forwards vs mids vs backs to see who the most reliable set shots for goal were. There were 14 players from each line who took part and matched up in groups of 3 (1 forward, 1 midfielder, 1 defender). Each player recorded their results from kicking from 10 different locations of varying distances and angles. Sledging was at its best, and there were some interesting outcomes. 

Matt 'Chooka' Fowler represented the forward line in my trio, and as expected choked under the pressure with an inability to block out sledges, recording a disappointing 5/10. In a separate group, fellow forward Mike 'The Worker' Lourey also let his line down with his efforts of 6/10. Luke 'Cotton' Meadows recorded a dubious 6 for the forwards and Matt 'Dashi' Johnson lived up to expectations, kicking his 7/10 all without a shirt on.

Ray 'Razor' Bartholomew was a strong contributor for the mids, kicking 8 goals from his 10 attempts. He celebrated each goal in typical Razor fashion, although addressing a non-existent crowd on the hill. Aidan 'The Lunchbox' Lynch has done well so far this season for the mids hitting the scoreboard regularly, however he was nearly exiled from the group on Tuesday night after dishing up a measly 2/10. Shane 'Choppers' Nelson performed as expected with 5 goals, 2 not making the distance and 3 flourbags. Trent 'Smeagol' Manzone fought hard for the mids with his 7, while I was extremely disappointed to skim the post twice for my 8.

The most uncertainty was around how the backs would perform, as we weren’t sure they knew what a set shot actually was. Nick 'I Phone' Rodda and Brod 'Kettlebell' Walton were standout performers with 8 and 9 goals respectively. Marcus 'The Carcass' Adams and Laine 'Liability' Rasmussen were also solid with 7 goals each. Andrew 'Absent' Strijk lived up to his nickname and was unsighted.

After all shots were completed, the scorecard was tallied the results were surprising – for some. The blokes we trust to kick us a winning score each week – the forwards - finished third with a disappointing 79 goals total. The ever-reliable midfield group had a rare ‘off’ night finishing with 88 goals. Strangely, the winners on the night were the backs with 94. 

As a result of the exercise, there were lessons to be learnt. Some players need to work on their routine while others need to work on their mental strength. The boys continue to work hard on their goal kicking as we all know how important it is for winning big games, and that it may just be the difference between success and disappointment.