Time flies when the footy is on and the sun is shining. With six weeks down of the 2024 season, our OIFC teams are enjoying a positive start.
On the Men's side of things, Division 2 is proving to be very competitive for the A grade as results have shown the difference between all teams to be marginal on the day. Our first four games confirmed we are around the mark with chances to get gold against teams that appear to be at the pointy end of the table and moments costing us on the day. Those moments are important for learning which will get us to where we want to go later on.
We then played a couple of games “We (perhaps) should have won on paper” (Not that we told the players that – nor does that guarantee anything). In a sign of the playing group's growth, they did indeed get Gold and it is wonderful for them to receive the external recognition that comes with winning and see the smiles on dials of all at the Bath!
Internally, where we measured growth on more than the Sunday mail, it confirmed what we were seeing in our efforts, game style elements that stand up, a commitment by the team to work together to get better and players growing in confidence to do the job they have to do.
“Ships are safe in the harbour but that’s not what they are built for” – so now it is time to press on with the genuine belief that when we show up to a game it is winnable and the next three weeks can set up the second half of the year.
In other grades, the potential looks bright with our young guns and reliable stalwarts combining to proudly represent the club.
The Reserves under the tutelage of Dawsy have shown patches of what they can do with noticeable improvement as the games evolve. Fairly evenly matched with Athelstone, Flinders Park and Salisbury, a competitive effort in a physical game against a very good Modbury side had them in it at the half, although fading late which was repeated against PHOS. Four quarters of footy got them their first win last week against Adelaide Uni.
The C grade team has been building nicely with Stevo and Max coaching the team to an exciting start, sitting at 4-2 heading into round 7. We have seen the team embrace the game style and show great improvement each week.
So pleasing to see the first-year players settling in and playing key roles in these teams. The boys are ready to embrace the challenge and find out where we sit in regard to some of the top sides of the competition in the next couple of weeks.
The women have a swagger in their step after 6 rounds with the A grade having 3 wins and 3 loses, sitting 5th on the ladder just out of the top 4 on percentage. Last week we played Hope Valley (2nd on the ladder) under lights in a Friday night blockbuster. The game was all tied up at 3 Quarter time but in the end, we went down by a couple of late goals. The women played fantastically and showed that they could well and truly mix it with the top teams in the competition. So, this Saturday we look forward to heading to KRO where the women will take on top-of-the-table Happy Valley, which will once again be a great test, but if we bring the same level of intensity that we did last week then we give ourselves a genuine chance.
Sadly, we lost our captain Issy to an ACL injury, her surgery went well last week, and we wish her all the best as she begins the rehabilitation process.
Self-titled “Super Coach” Mouldsy has the Reserves team humming off the back of some inspirational talks with a very balanced group getting two wins, a controversial loss against the top team and two “we can get them next time” efforts having them equal 4th on %.
We look forward to seeing you out at KRO on Saturday where you can enjoy all five of our teams playing and we acknowledge our past players, both men and women who have built the foundation of this great club.
The women have very important games v Happy Valley so for those attending please venture out to Oval #2 and give them some of your vocal support and the Men get to test themselves against well-respected ROCs teams.
For the sponsors, members, supporters and families who have provided the support we value so highly - we are heading in the right direction and the foundation for the sustained success that is our north star is getting stronger.
Jason Baily and Daryl Spencer
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