The Royal Review

It was a tough contest for the group on the weekend, going down to PHOS Camden in a high-scoring, shoot out, 17.8 (110) to 20.13 (133). We put ourselves on the back foot early, conceding a big first quarter that ultimately set the tone for the day. Allowing 54 points and trailing by 27 at quarter time made it a difficult task from there. To the boys’ credit, we responded strongly through the middle stages. Our ability to apply scoreboard pressure and stay in the contest was pleasing, closing the margin to within nine points during the third quarter. However, each time we generated some momentum, PHOS were able to respond, and we couldn’t bridge the gap late. Our work around stoppage and our chain ball movement were real positives. Tully Kennett and Harry Willis were outstanding in the midfield, both accumulating over 40 possessions and giving us strong drive. That supply gave our forwards every opportunity, and it was pleasing to see us convert. Henry Read was a standout up forward, finishing with seven goals and providing a strong focal point. Ultimately, it was our defence that let us down. Both our team defence and back six weren’t able to hold up consistently, with PHOS scoring heavily from their opportunities. We conceded scores from 75% of their inside 50 entries which is incredibly high (we average 40%), this is a clear area for improvement this week. We’ll review this one, take the lessons, and be ready to respond vs Plympton. See you at the footy, Charles Canny A Grade Coach

Bolstered by the return of Skipper Sam Carruthers and B&F winner Tom Reid, our young B Grade side travelled to PHOS Camden with hopes of licking revenge in a 2025 Grand Final rematch. With a strong northerly breeze in the early afternoon, we found ourselves kicking into the wind for the first term and struggling to hit the scoreboard. PHOS, reportedly having players back from injury, were skilful and moved the ball through the centre of ground with speed. We responded to this in the second, pushing them wide and taking out the dangerous parts of the ground to be only 4 points down at the half. A small lapse in concentration during the third meant that, despite being right in the contest and owning a lot of play, we were 20 points down heading into the final term and with a lot of work to do. Our response was electric - Tom Reid was explosive through the middle and continued to give us first use, Max Davis was bodying players twice his size, Jonty Jamieson delivered with poise and Luke Lovelock lead our defence in a slingshot attack... and that Sam Carruthers guy was alright I guess. Despite our efforts, we ultimately left our run too late. PHOS kicked a goal on the siren, but we were 7 points away with only 2 minutes left. Once again we have gone down by only a few goals, but Wighty agreed this was our best team performance so far in the year. Each week this team gets better. I can't wait to see us back at the House of Slam tomorrow taking on the Bulldogs (Penguins)! See you at Haslam! Cheers Ned

The Queens produced a dominant performance on the weekend, beating Modbury 50–13 at Haslam Oval. From the start, the Queens controlled possession in across the ground and applied constant pressure to the Modbury players. But despite the Queens having the ball for majority of the first half Modburys defensive effort and some rushed shots at goals meant the Queens could only convert RT 2 goals to go into half time up 18-13. The Queens continued to fire up after half time where Indira Panelli dominated through the midfield and kicking a couple goals. Maya Bentley in her first game of the season also came into the ruck where she provided great deliveries for our midfield. Our defense also denied any of Modburys entries led by Ella Manning running off half back and Scarlett Darley acting like a brick wall in front of goals. The Queens continued to dominate into the last quarter where they capitalised on the scoreboard with nearly every opportunity and the Queens finished the game with a 37 point win and prevented Modbury scoring anything in the second half. The entire team showed a great work rate with every player playing their role to get the Queens third win in a row. We head off to Glandore this week for what should be a good contest with Westminster!

We travelled to PHOS looking for another win to keep our streak alive and strengthen our push towards finals footy, but ultimately fell just short in a frustrating 12.4 (76) to 12.1 (73) loss. For three quarters, we were well below the standard we know we can produce. Our tackling pressure was poor, we were beaten around stoppage and contested ball, and allowed PHOS to control too many key moments in the game. Despite that, we still managed to control territory and keep the ball in our forward half for long periods, which makes the result even more disappointing. To the group’s credit, the response in the final quarter was outstanding. We lifted our intensity, pressure and ball movement, kicking four goals to one and giving ourselves every chance to steal the game late. Unfortunately, we left ourselves too much to do. This is now the fourth loss this season where poor patches have cost us despite showing in the final quarter just how good we can be. The fightback was positive, but we need to improve our ability to maintain focus, intensity and energy across four quarters rather than only finding it in the final 15 minutes. Bill Newman was disciplined down back and laid several important tackles. Paul Tsouvallas kicked two crucial goals, while Alex Favretto again showed his class through the midfield. Riley Wake continued his strong form up forward with four goals for the second week in a row. Stewart Watts was best on ground once again, with his work rate and tackling pressure clearly setting the benchmark for the group. There will be plenty of reflection and adjustment this week, but our finals hopes are far from over. We take on Plympton at home this week, and if we can tidy up a few areas, we know we can be a very tough side to beat.

The D Grade was back at home against PAC after a week off due to the bye. The team was ready to build on what we had been working on throughout the opening rounds; however, injuries across all grades left us heavily undermanned. We went into the game with only one player on the bench, and it quickly became none, meaning the boys had to dig deep and run out the full 88 minutes. To their credit, everyone stood up to the challenge, and at times we looked really competitive against PAC. I was especially pleased to see some of the younger boys step up, put their heads over the footy, and show plenty of class with their skills. Despite the scoreboard, I was very proud to see how much the team has improved compared to five weeks ago. The boys are really starting to get around each other both on and off the field in true D Grade fashion. The positives from this game have me really excited for the coming week as we take on Golden Grove, a side that has struggled this season. The boys and I are ready to approach the game with plenty of pride and hopefully secure our first win. Final Score
Pembroke 4.8 (32)
PAC 17.15 (117) Goal Scorers
1 Goal: Peter Jones, Thomas Andary, Tom Kluska, Will Belej Best Players
Very happy to announce Mitchell “Plugo” George as best on ground this week. It was a coaching masterclass, if I do say so myself, moving him into the midfield. It felt like he had his own football at times, finding plenty of it and looking super confident with ball in hand. Will Belej played his best game for the club, looking outstanding in the air all day, taking big marks and getting on the end of some good opportunities inside forward 50. George Cother worked his ass off, putting in a massive 88-minute effort and running right until the final siren. He won plenty of the ball through the midfield and around the ground, showing real courage in the contest.