Hi Fellow Rammers,
It's been a big few days since the gutsy Reserve team knocked off Blackburn to win the 2008 Premiership. After "Mild Monday", I have no doubt there are a few sore heads as well.
What a year this has been in many ways. We have been down and have been kicked in the guts many times but have just kept on going. Despite many of my gripes this year and there have been many, when I saw the look on Paul Philips' face winning his first ever Premiership, they all went out the window. The Reserve team this year has been a model of consistency despite players coming and going into the senior line-up due to form, they just kept winning. We have had for the first time in many years so many players available, that a few were always going to miss out and all I can say is, I am glad it was not me making the selections. To play all year and miss out on a Grand Final is heart wrenching stuff. I have been there and there are not many words you can say to a player to make up for that disappointment I can tell you. To those players who missed out I cried for you guys and in saying that, you are still part of the team that won the Premiership. We all make sacrifices for the club and to be there to support your team mates, whether carrying the water or just supporting them on and off the field, shows the quality of player you are. You can hold your heads high as well, as there is no greater sacrifice than putting the club first. The club as a whole is proud of you.
Well let's talk about the game which started in terrible conditions and the Blackburn line-up were a tall lot by comparison and the weather conditions suited us, but the game was of an even and high standard. The first quarter the Rams just edged in front in the blistery conditions in a game full of run and despite the wet conditions some good marks were being taken. Blackburn were trying to be physical, but the fleet footed Rams mosquito squad were too fast for them to lay tackles or hip and shoulder and in the end, the Blackburn Players were running into each other. We saw one Blackburn player come off with the claret flowing after an awful collision with a fellow team mate. The Rams just edged in front and at quarter time it was Blackburn 2.1.13 to East Burwood 3.2.20
In the second quarter Blackburn came back and the rain was starting to ease, we missed a few set shots which kept Blackburn in the game but a bit of undisciplined play let the Rams in for two easy shots at goal and at half time it was the Rams leading by four points. Blackburn 5.2.32 to East Burwood 5.6.36
Half time the weather cleared and the sun came out, one minute I am freezing next thing I have the jacket off and sweating. The premiership quarter started and Blackburn were full of run. So much so, I was wondering if Kelts multiple interchanges were having any affect. Blackburn kicked two goals to our one, they were holding their marks as we could not match their height. With about five minutes to go, we started to gain momentum, our players were getting the run back that they had in the first half. Were Blackburn stopping? At the final break it was Blackburn 7.5.47 leading East Burwood 6.6.42
The final quarter started and we edged closer with a goal that came from nothing. A quick kick out of the centre and the ball bounced and bounced and like a bit of spin from a Shane Warne, it deviated through the goals and no one touched it. I thought at that time, we have the luck. Blackburn went forward and kicked a major and we responded quickly and then again to get in front, which was through a Dale Cox goal and what a ripper it was. Blackburn kicked 3 goals to our 5 in that quarter and despite the final quarter going for 29 minutes we ran out Victors. A bloody gutsy win by a gutsy bunch of players with an average age of 20 years and 1 month. The final scores saw Blackburn 10.10.70 defeated by East Burwood 11.13.79 in what was best described as a team effort.
Back at Ram Stadium later, we all enjoyed the win. Everyone has to thank Anita and Colleen for keeping the food coming out of that kitchen all night. The beef was prepared by Anita and the way it disappeared, shows how well it was appreciated. 18 kilos went in about 10 minutes as it was inhaled by the herd. Thank you to Ex Rams President Peter Bailey, who despite his role as an EFL Board Member and no doubt had commitments with the EFL Saturday night still came back to the club to celebrate the Victory with everyone.
The night went on from the club into Vote Count day (Sunday) and into "Mild Monday" and was well deserved after a tough season.
My thoughts on the year we had:
Written off by everyone, we have simply plugged away as a club with very little help from anyone and we finished better than last year in the Seniors and the Reserves flag is the icing on the cake. We finished ninth with six wins one of which was over Noble Park, compared to eleventh the previous year with two wins, one of which was the bottom team who defeated us as well.
We have been like Jekyll and Hyde as I never knew which team would run out. With a youngish squad its expected to be up and down, but many players were turned over in the seniors as well as a few Colts getting a run. Development from within is a good move going forward. Next year with arrivals and departures, I believe we will move forward even more. The taste of Victory is addictive and I expect the addiction to flow through the clubs veins with great passion next year.
With the club fielding a Women's team now in the rapidly growing VWFL and to have the Devils win their first ever flag with their Reserve squad, the club is moving forward in many ways. The benefits of having the Devils is enormous and now that they have a home and are part of the East Burwood Family, we will see them respond and no doubt have a Devils Senior Flag sooner rather than later.
With two Reserves premierships this year it's a massive effort. These players are the young players coming through. The stability it represents is a massive achievement after the past few years. We will have departures, retirements as expected, but with the quality of recruits now approaching the club to be part of our family, the transition will not be so painful. I suggest you start saving for your 2009 Membership now.
Now for my gripe;
I get upset when I see our President busting his gut week in week out doing things like the dishes, emptying the rubbish bins, all on his own without anyone bothering to help him. Peter is not one to bother anyone and ask them for help either, he just does it. We have the same people doing the same work at the club every week without griping, just doing it as they love the club and know these jobs have to be done.
Thank you to all those people. When you see them thank them, they bloody deserve it. If you are not sure who they are, look at the gate when you drive in, the beer booth when you are grabbing a coldie, the scoreboard and the list rolls on. We have an aging group of helpers, when these people have gone, who is going to do these jobs.
We have nine home games and finals, 15 minutes of your time is worth gold to the club. If you support the club, then put your hand up in 2009 and help. Take note of this and this may just spark you into action. We have had past players who do not wish to be named who are playing at other clubs, asking do we need anything. That just goes to show that the East Burwood Football Club always remains in the hearts of those who have been involved with it.
I would like to say thank you to those past players who have donated goods etc. to help keep the club in moving forward and also to the many that have pledged their love for the club in the past month in monetary donations.
We lost the finals and the spirit of the Rams has come out kicking with the pledge club helping to try to counter the loss of that income.
We have also had the History of the Club Book written by Pat Richardson launched this year and for those who do not know, all the proceeds go to the club, so if you have not bought a copy yet, buy one. Something as simple as that is helping the club.
To those who do not know, the oval has been poisoned and is finally after many years of waiting set to be resurfaced. Full details will be made soon.
