OLINDA FERNY CREEK – SEASON REVIEW

By Matt Fotia

2020 looms as a massive year for Olinda Ferny Creek after the club laid the platform for its Footballing future and carried on its merry way on the Netball court in 2019.

Check out their season review below.

Football 

Pos : 7th (5-11)

For : 1037 (Rank #7)

Against : 1363 (Rank #6)

Leading Goal Kicker : Lachlan Taylor (25)

Best and Fairest : Kelsey Currie and Marcus Hottess

What went well : In the second half of the year the Bloods saw an upturn in form after they re-assessed their approach to the game. They’d been caught on the hop to begin the year by both injuries and the change in opposition.

This showed not only in terms of their Win / Loss record (which was 1-6 before their upset victory over Cranbourne), but also in their ability to score. After the first seven rounds the Bloods averaged just 42.7 points scored per game.

But after the initial panic the Bloods steadied themselves and adapted their style and outlook on the game. Focus went away from wins and losses and onto controllable key performance indicators.

It saw an upturn in results and their performances on the field.

Their scoring increased by 40-41 points per game and they were able to close the gap and/or record a sizeable swing against sides that had their measure in the early part of the year.

They closed the margin against Berwick (albeit at home) by 75 points, by seven points against Woori Yallock and Narre Warren (this one away from home) and produced a 45 point turnaround over Wandin to finish off the year.

What went wrong : Their reliance on the same ageing stars showed throughout the year, especially at the start, with the likes of Marcus Hottess, Luke Hill and Mitch Bonuda asked to do too much, in unfamiliar surrounds.

Hottess admittedly collected another club Best and Fairest, but at this stage of his career Hottess should be mentoring the next batch of star midfielders, not shouldering the load, regardless of his undoubted quality.

This really showed on bigger surfaces with the increased ‘outside’ ball hurting the Bloods.

What they need : X factor.

The system was tinkered with and gave them much improved results towards the back end of the year, but to go to the next level the Bloods need to find some dynamism.

Whether it be a power forward to accompany Lachlan Taylor, some blistering speed to give them some quicker ball movement, an intercept defender to set up attacks or a goal kicking midfielder, Olinda Ferny Creek need to find that edge which can get them a few more in the win column.

Grade – B– 

After the early injuries they faced, the Bloods recovered well to build momentum in the back half of the year. A well run club who are set up off field to grow in 2020.

Netball 

Pos : 1st (16-0) / Premier

For : 1179 (#1)

Against : 544 (#1)

Leading Goal Scorer : Peri Stewart (878)

Best and Fairest : Peri Stewart

What went well :  All of it did. They were hot favourites to take out the flag at the start of year, but no one would’ve imagined the utter dominance they showed on their way to the premiership, especially considering the strength of the sides entering the competition.

They finished the year with zero losses, 388 more goals scored and a percentage gap of 77% on second placed Beaconsfield.

Their strength across the court is to be admired, with not even the smallest inkling of a weak link in their outfit, from their all conquering Goal Shooter Peri Stewart, right down to the last name on the team sheet.

What went wrong : N/A 

What they need : They need to stay focused.

The only thing that could seemingly stop these girls in the near future is themselves. Tim Smith will look to keep the girls grounded and working together towards a common goal once again. This time around the goal is to be the best ever.

Grade – A+ 

I don’t think this grade needs explaining. An incredible year by an incredible team.