Round 1 - U15B Grading Match
09/02/2008
DC Flamingos 7
LOSS to Yarrambat Bat Girls 22
This was the first game of the season and a chance for everyone to meet each other.
Alexandra C, Carla S and Erin W did not attend as they have withdrawn from the team. This meant that the team had only 6 players, which isn't a good way to start the season.
The first games of the season are grading matches and they provide opportunities to have players try out in different positions. Sometimes this can place players outside their "comfort zone" but it is good experience for them and it is useful to know if they can manage it if circumstances dictate in the future.
So the important thing in this game was to have all the players try each quarter in a different position, beginning with "favourite" positions in the first 2 quarters and ending the game with "undesirable" positions in the last 2 quarters. This swapping around of players will continue through the grading matches and will help to formulate a strong team based on teamwork and skills.
For a first up effort, all the girls played quite well considering they hadn't played as a team before. Everyone handled their "favourite" positions well and some even did a great job in positions they disliked. It was tremendous to see Maddi L score a goal as GS after having a career as GK!
The game showed that the girls were a little rusty after the Christmas break but this was expected. Some passing skills could be brushed up on at training.
The team lost this game by 15 goals with one player less and all being tried out different positions which means that result was very respectable. The final score line is not very important at the grading stage of the season.