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Round 6 – Match Report
Fitzroy 2.5.17 def by East Malvern 4.5.29
Goals: Zander, Kruger 1 Best: Raph, Dom, Chris, Jason, Hoddy, McGee
Fitzroy succumbed to their second loss in three weeks last weekend, defeated by two goals in the wet by a well-drilled East Malvern outfit. Kicking 2.5 in damp and slippery conditions, Fitzroy failed to control the ball at ground level and were overrun by their newly demoted opposition.
Continuing their strong form from last week, the boys in red and blue were quick out of the blocks, with Zander the first forward on the scoresheet after slotting a miracle snap from deep in the left pocket. East Malvern levelled shortly after, securing a narrow one-point lead at the first change.
Fitzroy continued to attack in the second term, but as the rain started to fall East Malvern snatched the ascendancy. Slotting two more before the long break, the Knights went into the break with a comfortable two-goal buffer as the Roys trudged off to the rooms vowing to reverse the trend in the third.
The third quarter provided plenty of hard and attacking football as players from both sides repeatedly threw their bodies into the packs. However it was after the three-quarter-time siren that the first goal of the quarter was scored, Kruger nailing his first of the season from a set shot to reduce the margin to six points with just twenty minutes to play.
East Malvern goaled early in the final term, catching the home side off guard to re-establish their halftime lead. From then onwards, the skies re-opened once more, and despite attacking until the final siren, Fitzroy were unable to reduce the deficit.
Raph Lloyd was best on ground in just his sixth game with the club, with his ability to mark in the wet and transfer the ball with accuracy putting him amongst the votes. Dom Pound-Palmieiri was strong in the midfield as usual, as was little James Hodson who reveled in the wet and muddy conditions. Chris Smith continued to adhere to the coach's orders, dropping a kick off the play while leading to space, while Jason Hewitson was also amongst the votes.
After winning their first three games of the season, Fitzroy now sit at 4-2 after two narrow defeats. With back-to-back games against the inform Ashburton sides in the coming weeks, Fitzroy will need to be at their best to ensure they remain in the hunt for a finals berth in season 2006.
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