Coaches Wrap – Round 1 vs Reynella

Under 13 – Sponsored by Betta Quality Curtains and Blinds

Flagstaff Hill 6 5 41 defeated by Reynella 7 10 52

Best Players: Jake Slattery, Conner Cutting, Hunter Jordan, Charlie Roberts, Liam Cooper and Macklin Brook

Goal Kickers: Jack Lemmey 2, Macklin Brook 2, Jake Slattery 1, Liam Cooper 1.

The rooms were buzzing with excitement for round 1 as we looked to kick off the
season with a huge game vs the Wineflies.

For most of the team this would be their Saturday morning debut and they were
looking to make the best impression possible.

Reynella seemed to adjust to the conditions better in the first quarter and took an
early lead as the rain started coming down. The Flaggy boys adjusted well after
quarter time before a big 3rd quarter by the opposition put us again on the back foot.
The most pleasing thing about his game was the resilience shown by the boys as
they took control of the game again in the last quarter and clawed back the margin.
With 8 minutes to go in the last quarter it really looked like they were going to get
over the line, but desperate defence by Reynella allowed them to hold on.

It’ll be great to see how the boys respond this week as we visit Cove. A great
opportunity for the boys to get their first win on the board against an opponent who
will be up for the challenge in their first game of the season after a round 1 bye.

Mark Lemmey – U13 Coach

Under 17.5’s – Sponsored by Rainmaker Properties

Flagstaff Hill 8 12 60 defeated by Reynella 9 12 66

Best Players: Brodie Sisson, Hugh Nash, Coby Hibbert, James Keating, Riley Stone, Tyler Hodgson

Goal Kickers: Hugh Nash 3, Riley Stone 2, Cameron Brown 1, Fraser Knuckey 1, Coby Hibbert 1.

After 11 weeks of preseason and a couple of Trial games, we were ready for rd 1
against an opponent that always serves up a good contest. As a group, we had
come a long way since the first training session which was filled with nerves,
excitement and anticipation.

The progression of the group was encouraging with a focus on skill improvement and
team structure. Our first goal this season is to get everyone qualified and with 8 x
players in the SANFL U18 and U16 system and a couple doing college footy this will
be a balancing act. Even though we have over 30 in our squad, we went into rd 1
with 25 available players due to varying reasons so selection wasn’t overly difficult.
We welcomed Corbin Kennett in for his first game for Flagstaff Hill as well as Tyler
Hodgson back after a couple years away from the game exploring the mountain bike
trails. Along with a host of first year lads, this was a dawn of a new season.

We played reasonable footy for the most part and thankfully the Wineflies were a
little waste ward in front of goal to give us a handy halftime lead. Keeping Reynella to
just one goal to half time was a major feat… but that’s only half of the job. Reynella
slowly worked back into the game and unfortunately found the better running in the
last qtr with us going down by a goal. A lot to like from our first game but plenty of
learnings as well.

Brodie Sisson shone out all day with his run and dash in several positions while
Hugh Nash showed what he is capable of when committed. Good support from
Aiden Carney through the ruck. We head to the home of the Cobras this week for our
first trip on the road and to celebrate Riley Stones 100 th junior game for the club.

BUNGA
IN IT TOGETHER

Craig Bunworth – Under 17.5’s Coach

B Grade – Sponsored by Flagstaff Hotel

Flagstaff Hill 5 8 38 defeated by Reynella 7 3 45

Best :  Aaron Ramsey, Ethan Johnson, Sam Speak, James Brennan, Taaid Fallah, Darcy Kelsey
Goals: Blaise Tomkins 1, Leigh O’Malley 1, Sam Speak 1, Ethan Johnson 1, Darcy Kelsey 1

Congratulations to Blaise Tomkins Captain for 2023 and Matt Caire and Tim Meinecke Vice Captains.

I was very happy to return as B Grade Coach, a challenging grade to coach but it’s a
fantastic experience.  Thank you to Colin, Emma and Kelsey, our wonderful trainers
who attended all preseason trainings with a smile, we look forward to what 2023
brings.  Anticiticipation and confidence was the order of the day with the B grade,
first game of the year, at home with threatening weather – after guernsey
presentations by Wade Stone – Club Games record holder, Wally Lendrum getting
us all organised and Pete and I having our first disagreement (he wanted to wear his
crab shorts) of the year we were ready to go.  When the boys ran out we believed we
had a game that we could win.  All the preparation was done and for the first half we
dominated, the boys were right in the game and playing as we had trained. 
However, against a well drilled and hard running team, Flaggies couldn’t sustain the
effort over 4 quarters.   During the third quarter we missed opportunities to add to the
scoreboard pressure that we had gained and which may have dampened Reynella’s
spirit. To be fair, some poor discipline and decision making, hurt us.  The game plan
and structures that served us well over the first 40 minutes went missing and we
chased jumpers for the rest of the day.   Our forwards disappointed in terms of
playing from behind and not staying on their feet, which affected our ability to
convert. We will get better. We remain resolute with our abilities and focus and look
forward to playing them again.

It was a great debut from Ramsey, Speak, Kelsey who all gave plenty, I look forward
to seeing what the season brings for these three lads.  Ethan Johnson had an
outstanding game with us, having played 1 B grade game last year, he is certainly a
serious player on the way up, a pleasure to coach.  Having a quick look across the
other results, Noarlunga and Morphett Vale seem like they will be just as strong,
Reynella again will be looking to go one better than runner up. 

It’s been a massive off season, manic preseason and now we are underway – falcon
strong.

Graham Tomkins – B-Grade Coach

Round 1 Milestones

Tristan Smith – 150th Club Game

Round 1 FHFC Debuts

In the coaches box we had Zane Kirkwood and Mark Lemmey taking the reigns for the first time.

In the Senior Grades we had Cameron Blake, Sam Jacobs and Josh Rosman make their A Grade Debuts in their first outing for the Club. Reece Milsom made his A Grade Debut and Darcy Kelsey made his Senior Debut. While Daniel Mackenzie, Aaron Ramsey and Sam Speak all played their first game for the Club in the B Grade.

In the Juniors we had plenty of new faces run out on a Saturday for the first time. Welcome to Corbin Kennett, Kojo Antwi, Callum Athey, William Bowers, Macklin Brook, Mitchell Chapman, Liam Cooper, Conner Cutting, Mason Hall, Hunter Jordan, Fletcher Langeluddecke, Jack Lemmey, Campbell Page, Blair Richman, Charlie Roberts, Cooper Slattery and Declan Stone.