Gungahlin Junior AFC

2000 Under 8 Season Summary


Team Report

Writing this report signifies that the inaugral season for the mighty Gungahlin Under 8's is drawing to a close. Sadly our last game is approaching - but what a great season we have had! In a word, our season was one of improvement. We started out good, and got better!

The season began in March with only a handful of players on Wednesday afternoons at Ngunnawal, with Sue Phasey laying down some valuable groundwork. After a recruiting drive amongst the Auskick squad, our ranks slowly started to swell. Throughout the year we picked up more players as word got around and we have ended the season with twenty listed players. Many players were young for the 8's, and to their credit, they put in a really great effort and gained valuable playing experience. Twelve players are eligible to play for the 8's again next season and these experienced players will provide the nucleus of the new team. Next year's under 9's are also off to a good start with Lucy Crawford, Josh Heuer, Brendan McGee, Gary Mills, Lachlan Whiting and David Fox all moving up a grade.

Early on we needed to focus heavily on our basic ball skills and this consumed much of our training time. After a rather late start, all of a sudden the first game was upon us. Our first real lesson on how to apply these skills came from watching the Under 10's play in their first game. (By the end of the season I think the u10's could've learnt a thing or two from us!)

From the outset the team worked on individual skills, and on developing a pretty aggressive and determined style of game play. Not aggressive in the contact sense but one that ensured we would be first to the ball, and when we got it we would run straight, bounce then kick. If the opposition had the ball, then we would hassle and apply pressure. This was a characteristic that we maintained throughout the season, and one we added to as our skills improved.

Controlling the footy, making position, and looking up and kicking to teammates also became team rules. Towards the end of the season, our manning up, leading and ruck work was also coming together nicely. The players have all grown in confidence and by season's end are willing to back themselves when going for the ball. One unusual facet which we did not practice, but which seems to be becoming part of our game, is the tendency to take marks with our faces - ouch that smarts!!

Scratch matches against ourselves taught players what the roles of the forwards, centres and backs were. Players were rotated around each quarter and thus learnt and adapted to the different roles. This worked very well. On a lot of occasions we would have more players than the opposition and so some of our players would be asked to play for the other team for a quarter. For the most part, the kids volunteered for this and then put in well for the other team showing good sportsmanship - and once or twice earning a jellybean for their efforts.

Overall, our standard of play has become quite exciting to watch, I have gotten a great buzz out of seeing passages of play come together, things we tried in training being put into practice, and kids getting their first touches. I called it champagne football!! We scored a lot of goals throughout the year, credit for which goes not only to the goal kickers, but to all the players up field who had worked hard to get the ball into the forward line.

Who could forget the team's highlights for the year:

  • Luke scoring the first goal of the season;
  • Elliott's four goals against Belconnen at Giralang;
  • The centre breaks and clearances against the Tigers at Jerrabomberra;
  • Jarryd Walker's shiner after banging heads with Elliott;
  • The Cootamundra trip;
  • Jacob's two marks on the opposition goal line against Lions in round 12;
  • Peter's goals against the Tigers in round 14;
  • The adventure park training session and BBQ, Brendan's first time on the flying fox;
  • Jarryd Walker's running goal against the Magpies;
  • The snow and sleet during the Lion's game in round 5;
  • Players using handballs to clear the ball;
  • Lachlan's kick out of the backline against Ainslie;
  • Jesse's booming torpedo goal at Gordon;
  • Welcoming newcomers Josh Roebuck, Curt Pearce and David Fox throughout the year;
  • Josh Roebuck's third quarter desperation against the Tigers at Jerrabomberra;
  • Luke's dominationof the back line against the Magpies;
  • Jaryd Larter's hassling style, and his sneaky way of pretending he is going to kick one way, only to turn at the last moment to kick to the teammate out loose;
  • Adam's first goal;
  • Brendan's strong marks and long kicks;
  • The McDonalds awards, the Kit-Kats and Cokes;
  • The last quarter comeback against the Bulldogs in round 13;
  • Trying to find the ground in Jerrabomberra; and
  • The team learning to sing the club song - led by Mark Walker.

Ah what a season to reflect upon! As coach I have had a very enjoyable year, and taken great satisfaction as I have seen each player do something new that they haven't tried before. My voice has been strained each game from the amount of encouragement and 'well-dones' I have had cause to yell out. There have been the occasional frustrations but these have been few, and made easier by the many helpers I have had. Training on Saturday mornings meant that all year we have had great support from Mums and Dads wanting to be involved, and this has been a great help to me, and also a big encouragement to the kids.

Thank Yous

We have had fantastic support from a lot of people this year and they all deserve a mention. On behalf of the players I would publicly like to thank Kathryn Heuer for her untiring efforts as Team Manager, and also Matt and Sue Blythe for their behind the scenes organising and setting up. Thank you also to Steve Crawford for umpiring all year for us, and to Bruce Chalker for doing the goal umpiring. Also, thanks to Pat Brazel for his help with the adventure park BBQ and his support each week. Thank you to Mark Walker for taking the team to Coota, Dean Pearce for standing in as coach against Wildcats, and along with AJ Baker and John & Tracey Czarny for helping out each week. Thank you to Dianne Larter for pointing out that Jaryd's name has only one r in it and also for organising the team photos!

And a final thank you to all the players who tried their best and had a great time. It has been a great start to the club's future.

Good luck for next year team - "go hard", "run straight", "bounce and kick to somebody", "wipe that blood off your face", "run down, give 'im something to kick to", "get in there", "man up, man up", "hassle, hassle", "yahoo! you little beauty!!" - GO JETS!!

Jim Phasey
Coach 2000 Under 8's


Under 8 Player Pen Pics
Name About
Luke A (9) A courageous footballer who thrives in scrimmages and around the packs. Luke was determined to win the ball in every contest and he generally did. He has developed good game sense and anticipates where the ball is going and puts himself there to intercept. Luke made a name for himself by kicking the first goal of the season, and went on to kick quite a few more. Played well in all positions but really showed his stuff rebounding the ball from the half back line.
Peter B (1) One of the team's little "big-men". Peter rose to the challenge of the u8's from Auskick. Always keen to learn and try hard, he refused to be intimidated by the bigger kids and really 'got in there'. Peter's skills have grown steadily over the season, culminating in his classy goal against Jerrabomberra in round 14.
Jacob C (13) Jacob joined the team in round 2 and brought Dad along to wave the goal flags. Jacob put in a good effort throughout the season and has grown in confidence. While not necessarily leading the pack to the ball every time, when faced with the challenge he would rise up and meet it, stopping the attack, or saving the goals under pressure. Great prospects for next season.
Lucy C (17) Our prettiest player, Lucy mixed it up with the best of the guys. At all times keen to develop her ball skills during training, and not shy out on the field. Lucy was a real player, combining well with her other teammates to pass out the handball, or cleverly tapping out the ball, ensuring we kept control. A good crumber in the forward pocket, Lucy's skills and confidence have developed steadily and this sets her up well for next year.
Adam C (19) Adam started out quietly but has developed well over the season, taking time to kick a couple of great goals along the way. He put a lot of work in over the holidays and returned with a booming big kick. His understanding of game play has improved steadily, as have his other skills. Played his best games in the forwards where he has become a good goal sneak. Well done Adam, see you next year.
Jesse G (3) The big number 3, Jesse has become a very valuable player. He worked hard in all positions although by the end of the season had found a niche in the forwards and took a liking to kicking goals. Jesse has a good strong chest mark, and when in the clear could latch onto some really long kicks giving us great drive. He also pioneered the use of the handball in the side when he found himself bottled up by the opposition, clearing well. Overall a very good season, will develop into a great player for the GJFC.
Joshua H (20) Josh arrived with good skills and football attitude and then got better. Josh has been a great starter for the team in the centre, giving us heaps of drive from the middle. He seemed to know where the ball was going to be, and then instinctively knew where to head towards our goal. As the season went on he made even better use of the ball by looking upfield and delivering well to one of our players to set up many plays. A great season Josh, we want you to come back next year.
Jaryd L (5) One of the team's little dynamos, Jaryd was in everything and everywhere. Always going hard for the ball, Jaryd also had a ferocious hassling style and gave 100% effort at all times. Fast and with good foot skills, he managed some great passes to teammates up the ground. Always on the lookout for a teammate out by themselves, he would try and fox the opposition and then kick it on with good effect. Loved a run towards an open goal, and scored more often than not. Well done Jaryd for a great effort all season.
Brendan M (18) One of our taller players, Brendan's extra reach was a great asset in the centre rucks, and up forward in the packs. Often bringing down big marks, his ability to get the ball on quickly with big kicks set up many of our attacks into the forward line. Brendan's skills developed well as the season went on, to finish amongst the most valuable players. A great start to his footy career, well done Brendan.
Gary M (23) A solid effort by Gary over the season. Worked well early on to improve his kicking and handball skills and would always have a go. Occasionally got boxed in by the opposition but wouldn't panic and hand passed well to get the ball out to someone else. A good player in the forwards, he also tried hard down in the backs where he stood firm under opposition pressure. His game sense is developing well and sets him up for a great season next year. Well done Gary.
James N (6) James came up from Auskick in round 2 and did not look back. As one of the littler guys he has tried hard and has learnt a lot from the older more experienced players. He played a couple of blinders in the forward pocket against Lions in round 16, and against ourselves on the Tumut day. As one of the younger players, James can afford a few more years in the under 8's. This year has been a great experience for him and in coming seasons will see him develop into a very valuable player.
Elliott P (16) With two prior years in under 8 & 9's, Elliott's extra experience was a valuable asset to the team. His extra six inches in height was also useful, andput him amongst our talls. Elliott's strong marking and big kicking out of the centre started off many of our drives, and when up forward, his ability to kick long and straight kept our score ticking along. His four goals against Magpies at Giralang set a team record. Skills, game sense and confidence improved throughout the year, putting him amongst our most valuable team players. Well done Elliott!
Dylan P (8) Wearingthe number 8 jumper made famous by Essendon's Darren Bewick, Dylan came up from Auskick and tried hard and had an enjoyable season. As the youngest player on the team he has another three years in under 8's and should grow into a 50 game champion by the time he hits the under 9's.
Jarryd W (11) Another of the fighting little guys, Jarryd's guts and determination was something to count on every week. A great little battler he chased hard for the ball, wrestled for it on the ground and invariably got his kick away. Loved to run with the ball and scored one of the goals of the season running onto the ball in front of an open goal. Not scared by the bigger guys he would fly like the rest in the packs, and roved the ball well on the ground. A great first season Jarryd! Sets him up well for next year.
Hayden W (4) Hayden joined when brother Jarryd did and has been a good team man all year. As the second youngest member he took things slowly at first, but finished the season off strongly, with good games against Jerrabomberra and Lions. This year has provided him with valuable playing experience which will set him up for a great year next season.
Lachlan W (7) For his first season of footy, Lachlan put in a good team effort, trying hard at all times. What he lacked early on in the ball skills department he made up with enthusiasm. His kicking skills improved markedly over the season and his long clearing kicks from the backline made a great impact. Played his best games in the backs and has learnt a lot, which should set him up well for next year.
Joshua R (3) Josh joined the team in round 4 against the Wildcats, and immediately made his mark as a gutsy player who wanted to get in and get the ball. Always keen to play wherever the ball was most, he would put himself into the packs no matter how rough they were. Played a blinder against Jerrabomberra in the backline. With a few more years left in the under 8's, Josh is set to build on this first year and will develop into a great footballer for the club.
Curt P (12) Curt, the courageous little battler from the Bellarine Peninsula played football like he was at least two years older. Must come from drinking the same water as the legendary Gary Ablett. Curt joined the team in round 5, just in time for the snow, and quickly showed he had the aggressive style of play we needed. A very valuable player wherever he was positioned, he could be relied upon to race hard for the ball, and hassle in the same style as Jaryd L. A good high flyer he managed to hold onto some great marks and earned his fair share of goals. With a couple more years in the under 8's, Curt looks set to be a champion by the time he graduates to the under 9's.
David F (10) David spent the first half of the season watching brother Isaac in the under 10's, and then decided he would like to have a go himself. He quickly proved to be a gutsy player with good basic skills that developed with each game. Could be relied upon to put in 100% each game and played his strongest when under pressure in the backline. Good at running with the ball he also provided good drive from the centre breaks with his long kicks. He has made a great start to his footy career and earned valuable experience this year which will set him up well for the under 9's next season. Well done David.