Year 10

Back: Tony Grosse (Runner), Scott Lieschke (Coach), Jason Lewins, Jack Redman, Nicholas Steber, James Lieschke, Kody Eaton, Andrew Trefry, Juno Bevilaqua, Alex Savery, Levi Burns, Geoff Rule (Asst Coach), Olly Standing (Team Manager)
Middle: George Wessels, Reed Walker, Mitchell Rudrum, Declan Thompson, Brayden Forrest, Mason Grosse, Cameron Alexander, Curtis Mitchell, Alexander Piper-Hyman, Graeme Fitzgerald (Runner)
Front: Daniel Brown, Thomas Montauban, Adam Rule, Ethan Gozzi, Conor Mannix, Kyle Robertson, Luke Rule, Lachlan Standing, Lachlan Fitzgerald
Absent: Dylan Veitch (inset), Mitch Thomas (inset), Isaac Waddell, Justin Matthys

2016 was the first season of Year 10 competing in the Fremantle Conference League. After initial concerns about whether we would have enough players, a small number of parents launched an audacious recruiting drive, resulting in the signing of 10 new players. Unfortunately due to registration policies, we were even forced to turn away some players who wanted to join our ‘destination’ club.

With an influx of new players this season our aim was to welcome the new players and their families and to engage these families with the true ‘Bulldog spirit’. A very social jumper presentation was held as much for the players as for engaging the new parents and families who joined our club this season.

The late start to training and early season start led to some positive potentialities and a practice game against a slick Manning Rippers team. Our new players were unveiled and the season ahead looked to be off to a bright start. Winning the round 1 grading carnival was a big boost and brought with it great expectations for the season ahead.

Adopting a mantra of ‘Run, Contest, Talk and Encourage’ and an attitude of each quarter starting at ‘nil all’ (with an aim to win the quarter), our season was in full swing.

Frustratingly, as the season unfolded we were beset with many injuries that even had us scrambling for extra players (even though we thought we would be required to rest players each game – a worry that rarely eventuated). Injuries to key players meant that our proposed game-plan, structures and positional selections were rarely able to be repeated throughout the year.

A very even competition (despite some blowout scores) meant almost every game was winnable. This resulted in us being in the four for the first 12 rounds despite having only 4 wins. With 6 teams vying for the 3rd and 4th positions on the ladder we had to fight to regain our finals position after moving out of the four for the first time in the season in round 13. A series of ‘sudden death’ clashes starting in round 14 resulted in us cementing our position in the finals prior to the last round. We experienced an amazing ‘roller-coaster’ of emotions in our round 14 clash against South Coogee (our first sudden death game) when we went from thinking we had lost the game (and our finals chances) by a point, to thinking we had drawn the game, to finding out we had actually won the game by a point and were on a march to the finals.

With players returning from injury resulting in our ability to field our strongest sides, an increased attack on the ball and intensity in running and tackling, we played our best football for the season over the last few week of the season, leading to success in the first semi final against Jandakot white, (a team that we had lost to 3 times during the season). Unfortunately we fell just short against Mundijong in the preliminary final, after being even on the scoreboard at 3/4 time. Many would argue that we had a greater percentage of the ball and more inside 50s in the prelim, but we lost in the only stat that matters in finals – total points scored. The preliminary final loss was a case of ‘so near and yet so far’, one that really got away! It was amazing how ‘gutted’ losing a junior football final can leave you.

During the last 5 games, the team raised the bar in many areas. Our ferocious tackling, our forward pressure and our run out of the backline would have surprised the opposing clubs, and I believe we have started to build a confidence and psychology of ‘belief’ in ourselves that we can take forwards into 2017.

Special recognition must go to our captain, Brayden Forrest, who was awarded the Fremantle conference Fairest and Best medal after a stellar season. Congratulations Brayden on a magnificent achievement.

Congratulations to our Club award winners; Brayden Forrest a worthy club F & B winner, capping off a great season, Levi Burns R/U F & B, Reed Walker being awarded the most improved after an outstanding season in the backline, Joint Best Clubman award winners Lachie Standing and Adam Rule, and the Coaches award winner, Thomas ‘Monty’ Montauban.

Many thanks to a wonderful and supportive parent group for your assistance during the season. I believe we possibly have the best parent group in the entire conference, with everyone prepared to do their part. Thank you to all the families new to the club this season, you have been integral to our success this season. Thank you to all the ‘old’ families who have remained loyal to this team for many years. Special thanks to those with the major roles during the season, Olly Standing as team manager, Grossey and Fitzy as runners and on game day warm ups, Andrew and Helen on first aid and Jackie and Cheryl on the i-pads. I would also like to acknowledge our weekly sponsor, Applecross Pizza for their support.

Lastly, thank you to the stars of the show, the players that made up our side this season. You have taught us heaps! It has been a memorable season. We hope the boys have learnt something new, whether it is about football, life or just being a part of something, and we look forwards to your return to the club in 2017.

Scott Lieschke and Geoff Rule (Joint Coaches)

Back: Ian Thompson (Assistant Coach), Gavin Thompson, Matthew Burton, Cameron Cantwell, Noah Wand, Josh Rule, Julian
Velletri, Hayden King, Josh Harrison, Ben Nash, Chad Sims, Khai Heah, Jeff Yeung, Jack Goldrick, Steve Evans (Coach)
Front: Trey Katnich, Shaun Miller, Matthew Francis, Josh Antulov, Max Scott (Captain), Alex Crowhurst, Jordan Decruz, Jack
Cameron, Jude Paulin
Absent: Lachlan Walker, Mac Turner, Montelle Bandy, Tafadzwa Chitete, Jeff Yeung

Our Year 10 2015 team comprised of many talented and promising players, unfortunately though, the season didn’t go as well as expected. Despite the score lines for many of our matches I do believe the players conducted themselves well and showed spirit and courage when required.

I’ve dubbed this team the second quarter specialists! If only the first, third and last quarters had glimpses of the stoutheartedness the players showed in the second. This year started with an off season player drive to boost the player numbers that were starting to dwindle due to exit of chats to the PSA.

We picked up some excellent budding footballers Jeff Yeung, Matthew Burton, Cameron Cantwell, Jude Paulin and Matthew Francis. All the boys put in an exceptional effort and were gutsy on the playing field. I hope to see you back again next year. This year we included a specialist coach with the cameos of Mark ‘Knackers’ Dobson and Mark aka ‘Red’ Barrett. The inclusion of these extra coaches was warmly welcomed and brought a different perspective to the game. Some great story telling and advise fella’s. Thanks to you both for your efforts.
Although there were many memorable plays of the day, as always I’d like to mention a few:

Firstly, to Jack Goldrick. Jack’s ball of fire speed out of the packs was phenominal this season and on many occasions ended with 6 points.

Secondly, Jeff Yeung, coming from a rugby background, Jeff’s attack on the ball was much needed and gave us the upper hand in the middle. For a first year player and usually playing against a much larger opposition, Jeff never stopped at the one tackle but charged at the player for a second, third and often fourth effort.

Thirdly, Ben Nash (the Rock), who had an outstanding season, often played on the field as the last line of defense. Ben took on all the big tasks and players, blasting out of the backline and giving every opportunity to our forwards.

Congrats to the players who hit their 100 game milestones this year, which there are many – Gavin Thompson, Trey Katnich, Khai Heah, Max Scott, Alex Crowhurst, Josh Rule, Jack Cameron, Mac Turner and Matthew Burton, and Chad Sims brought up his 50 this season, a great effort with plenty more to come.

Again we saw a few players hold their own in the development squads this season Chad Sims and Khai Heah, Good luck with the upcoming competition.

The B & F awards was again a closely contested race and this year we brought in 5,4,3,2,1 voting system with potentially 25 votes per game. (5 different voters per week)

I would like to mention a couple of players in particular players, Trey Katnich scoring the perfect 25 votes from 5 different voters in one game. What an effort.

Gavin Thompson, Jack Goldrick and Jeff Yeung scored 23 votes in one game, again a considerable achievement.

Those who are receiving these awards have been well earned and congratulations to all.

• Best and fairest Gavin Thompson. Gavin is an exceptional leader and puts in every week.
• Runner Up Bed Nash, had fabulous year and was unlucky not to win.
• Most Improved Noah Wand. We welcomed Noah back after having a year off and his efforts were amazing.
• Best Club Man award, Max Scott was appointed captain this year and led by example, never missing a training run and is a deserving winner of the best club man.
• Coaches Award Jeff Yeung, first year player with a great look on life and fearless attack on the ball again could have piled more votes.
• All trophy winners were standouts this season, and are deserving of the votes and accolades received during the year.

Team manager is a role that requires a big commitment and again Michelle Turner put her hand up for it. Thanks Michelle.

Thanks to Ian ‘Thommo’ Thompson for not only assisting with the managing role but also for keeping everyone in the loop via emails etc.

Thanks to all the parents that helped out on game day and to all the parents, family members and friends for the support and encouragement to the squad and myself, throughout the year.

I’ll end with my usual sign off. Greatest thanks go to all my superstars for a great season. I believe that with another year of growth we can turn the tide and be competitive with the other sides. I had a great time coaching as frustrating as it seemed at times, there were many highlights throughout the season and laughs were aplenty!

Let’s make sure we all get back next year to support the Mighty Booragoon Bulldogs.

Steve Evans (Coach)

It has been a great year for the Booragoon Year 10s. The year was tough and although the results were sobering, they don t truly reflect the efforts and successes of the team.

Led by their inspiring Captain, Riley Moretti, they challenged all the teams they opposed, at times playing irresistible football and putting those teams under immense pressure. The challenge next year, will be to play at that elevated intensity for extended periods of time, taking their chances and hitting the scoreboard.

We welcomed to the team eight new players Tom August, Zane Castle, Dylan Matthews, Anis Chinnaih, Ben Dolby, Sam Wharton , Sean O Neil and Terrence Callow. These boys were a great addition to the team and all contributed enormously throughout the year. We certainly played our better football in the 2nd half of the year as the players became familiar with each other and the structures we practiced came together.

Our Backs were constantly challenged throughout the year, but performed well under this pressure time & time again. Our Midfield, led by Lachlan Doig, battled throughout the year against bigger bodied boys but shared the spoils, and our Forwards made the most of the opportunities presented to them. I would like to thank Craig Hansen, who shared the coaching duties with me this year, and our Manager Les Chidgzey who once again was tireless in his role as team manager. Thanks Mark Toomath, Anthony Doig and Jim August for running throughout the year, Brendan Mansfield, our regular First Aid person and occasional Team Manager and Cathy Wharton & Janette Hansen for running the Interchange.

Thanks also to Bill Wharton for running the boundary throughout the year and his Dad Bruce, for filling in on occasion. Thanks also to the three Amigo s, Jacob and Gabby John and Jess Toomath for running water. All be it under extreme duress, with a belly full of snakes and a gut full of water. They were still able to squeeze in a few drinks for the boys in between socialising. Finally, thanks to all the parents. You have been a great help throughout the year. Always willing to help out when asked and always very supportive & encouraging of the boys, Craig & I.

It has been a privilege to be given the opportunity to coach your sons this year. I have thoroughly enjoyed being involved and watching their development both as young men & footballers.

Storme John (Coach)