An interesting Footy Day

Yesterday was a very interesting day in a Footy sense.

Given that the Blues played Friday Night - to which I didn't go, (luckily) due to another engagement, I took the opportunity on Saturday to look at other games.

Not sanfl league games, however, but 3 games of "grass roots" footy.

Starting at 8:30am I went and watched my lad play year 10 footy for St Micks v Immanuel. For the benefit of How the West Was Won, I am pleased to report that we trounced them to the tune of 100 points. The pleasing thing (at least for our boys) was that they played a disciplined brand of footy using the corridor at every opportunity.

Then went all the way south to Noarlunga to watch the U16 Port v South match.
Why you might ask? Well my lad (same one) is a boundary umpire and was doing that match.

That was a very good standard of game. Fairly free flowing and some lads showed very good skill levels in their endeavour. Was close all game, but when South challenged in the last qtr to get within 3 points, the Port boys steadied and kicked on to win by 30 points. Always interesting watching lads at this age in the various stages of both physical and skill development.

Interestingly, most of these boys would have been about the same age as my lad in the school footy game. He goes to school with one or two of them. Much different level of intensity in the U16 game however. You would expect that as this is the upper end of the school, saafl club, sanfl club footy continuum.

And lastly, travelled all the way back to Largs Bay to watch the Div 1 amateur game between Port Districts and Broadview.

That was probably the scrappiest game of them all. However, Broadview were a class above Port Districts and won by about 6 goals. Given the Showdown and the Port/South game at Alberton, there was a reasonable crowd there. Reckon about 750 - 1000ish.

Some folk take this very seriously. Near us was a group of what I would (without disrespect) call elderly supporters. Talk about set-up! They had the chairs and card table, the scones and tea. The rugs, the radio listening to the showdown intently. The knitting also came out. Good on them too. Obviously from the Broady clansfolk, and vocal with it too. I guess you could say they epitomised your fervent grass roots supporter.

It was an interesting day from the perspective of the layering and tiering of local footy competition and most noticeably the immensely important people who put their hand up to;
- run the water
- cook the BBQ
- be the interchange stewards (has to be the most boring job in footy!) - hats off to them
- make the teas and coffees
- be the strappers
and about a hundred other thankless jobs.

To all of you, I dips me lid! Big love to every one of them.

Here is an interesting little byline to it all.
My lad's coach is the son of a current sanfl league coach.

Can any of you guess who?

Some of my demographic information above may help a little.

Chocolates to Testy

Don't know him that well.
I think he plays for SMOSH too, but not 100% sure.
Probably in his early 20s I suppose.
HTWWW may know more about him.
Probably more his vintage.

Nice bloke. Fairly quiet and unassuming.

Probably an extension of this thread's subject.

But went to watch my youngest play Saint Peters in soccer (doesn't like footy much) at Saints on Saturday. Not a pretty result 0-4 loss to us.
Had one goal disallowed - bugger! Always a lovely setting to watch any sport at that college and you can just about get a 3 course meal in their cafe which is open all day on Saturday!

Anyway yesterday my eldest was playing U16s in the SAAFL comp.
Port Districts v North Haven - the Magpies v the Magpies.
Sides on the Peninsula really do need to get a life beyond the Black and White! - joking!

Was an enjoyable and fairly skillful game in windy conditions.
However, what I thought was most noticeable, was the control and appreciation of the flow of the game by the 2 umpires.

Don't know who they are, but probably the best umpiring of a footy game I have seen at any level in the last 12 months. They really did have a feel for what was going on.

Pity performances like this aren't more common in senior ranks.

Just to put in a dig - a wonder how many games of a similar level Andrew Demetriou goes and watches during a season. Reckon he could well do with a reality check and go watch some.

Alas no - they are second bottom.

it is a bit surprising really.

I have seen them twice this season and they have some good players.
Apparently they are hit with guys going up to their U18s and Port Magpies U18s.

When you have Port Districts, SMOSH, North Haven all reasonably close together, they are all drawing from the same geographic melting pot.

Some fair better than others in attracting kids.

However, I am impressed with how they set it all up on limited resources.

You can't beat good club volunteers.

Yes Portland have a side in the second div U16 comp.
Not sure about Rosewater.

Kids from St Micks do still play for all of those clubs you mention.
Although not sure if Woodville South are in the same zone.
Seems to be a good camaraderie between them all when the play district against each other.

I had a season at Woody South playing cricket after my last year of school.
And you will cast me to the flames of hell for this, but then ended up playing cricket for Rostrevor Old Boys (the ROCCS).

I know you will ask why, just as the SMOSH boys I knew, asked the same question. Well quite simply they asked me to. A few of the blokes my wifr taught with were playing there and I think they needed to shore up the drinking round a bit. So I got asked to play.

Crowning glory was winning the "H" grade association batting trophy.
I simply put it down to if you hang around the crease long enough poking and prodding, some of them have to hit the bat.

Think I got a bit off track there, with all this western suburbs reminiscing.

On a similar theme, about 3 years ago when Port Districts and Seaton Ramblers were both in Div 2, there was a crowd of 2000 at Port Districts oval. Yeah the carnival atmosphere was sensational.

These 2 sides developed quite a rivalry whilst they were in that division, due to Port being coached by Roger Delaney and Ramblers by Scott Hodges.

2000 patrons for a Div 2 game is pretty good by any league's standards.
Those sides went on to the grand final that year, with Districts winning the flag.

Ramblers are now in Div3 (actually watched them last week v SMOSH) and have clearly gone backwards since then.
Port Districts are back in Div 2 now I think.

Incidentally, I think Mark Tylor now coaches Salisbury North.
Even Timmy Ginever pulled on the boots again the other week in the C-grade for SMOSH.

The old Port Adelaide connection is everywhere in the western suburbs.