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It was inevitable that the Knights would eventually run up against a formidable opponent. In week 16 the immovable object was in the form of table topping South Melbourne, a juggernaut of a team who regularly steamroll their way to Super League supremacy. Despite our good run of three wins and undefeated in four, the boys would need some good fortune to take much out of this game. As it panned out, Fortune seemed to be having a sickie on match day. On a pitch that looked like someone had just dug up a crop of potatoes in the middle and was waiting to cut a crop of hay in the corners the Knights tried valiantly but came up short.
The day started with the news that Zac (injured arm), Filip (fever), and John (gastro) were unable to play; Zac gamely showed up and was even prepared to take the field in the case of dire emergency. Adrian (thigh strain), Ben 1029 (knee), and Luke (heel) probably didn’t need to play full games but at this stage there was little choice, and James and Ari had also just recovered from injury. Again we called on the services of super sub Moritz as coverage. Facing us across the pitch was a fit-looking team with a bench full of substitutes.
The Knights were forced into an unfamiliar formation with Adam in goal, Ari, James, Luke, and Ozzie in defence, Karan, Felix, Adrian, and Michael formed the midfield, and the Bens spearheaded the attack. The game started in the worst possible way, South Melbourne pressing forward from the kick off – the ball took a few bobbles off the pitch and a ricochet of a defender’s leg before falling to the striker who tucked it into the net. 1:0 down within a minute – as well as Fortune being absent, Luck seemed to be barracking for the opposition.
The next few passages of play were more even. The boys got used to the new team structure and started to match South Melbourne. Runs forward from the Bens, Felix, and Karan looked threatening and for a good period the Knights were pushing the South Melbourne defence towards their own goal. Ben Irvine and Ben 1029 had shots and tried to set up attacking plays and the defence quickly moved the ball into the midfield. A couple of corners and a free kick also provided goalmouth pressure. Moritz came on into midfield and again showed himself to be capable against older opponents.
South Melbourne are nothing if not well drilled and their defence held firm. As the half wore on they started to reassert themselves on the game. Midway through the half a lofted ball out of the midfield released two of their forwards who passed the ball between each other and fired the ball past the advancing keeper. Nothing fortunate about this one, a well-worked move and one they had obviously practiced.
Half time and a chance to regroup after a hard half of football. Second half and back into the battle. The Knights were still battling hard Felix, Karan, Moritz, and Michael pressed forward from midfield providing the Bens with some chances up front; Ozzie, Luke, Ari, and James held firm at the back; and Adam was proving a worthy choice in goal with a couple of fine saves. Still the boys could not crack the South Melbourne defence. As the half wore, on the lack of fit personnel was starting to tell and the boys were obviously tiring. Adrian stretching for a ball aggravated his thigh and could take no further part – looking possible that Zac might need to take the field.
South Melbourne rotating their players was definitely looking the freshest team and was beginning to press its advantage. In the end they ran out 5:0 winners – a couple of goals were well worked, a break by one of the strikers that was almost thwarted by Adam who raced off his line and a shot high into the net from the right edge of the box. The best chance for the Knights came late in the half when Ben Irvine thundered the ball into the bar with the keeper beaten.
Finally, the referee blowed time and the Knights wearily trooped or limped through the long grass off the pitch. A tough match and one where the score line did not tell the entire story as, for long periods of the match, the Knights managed to match it with South Melbourne and gave a good account of themselves. Still the way to improve is to be challenged and the boys can take heart that despite all the setbacks, they put up a creditable performance.
Until Next Week, Rest Up, Train Hard, and Go Knights!
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