By THE SIDELINE EYE

What do you get when the cream of the crop meets the underdog??? An impressive game of rugby that’s what!

I think for this week’s story we first must touch on the coaching staff. The dynamic duo that is Dave and Damo. Behind every great team is an even greater coaching staff, and the culture they have developed is something special. It’s not about points on the board or winning, it’s about their belief in every single player, about pushing them to see their own potential as players and young men, and digging deep to make the best of what they have !

It’s because of this culture that the Under 18s turned up to play Marist, the table leaders, and arguably the best junior footballers in the competition with the same game day face as any other game. That’s admirable!

Goulburn lost their fullback Josh Small in warm-up, and three others still benched with injuries and illness, the coach does was coaches do best. Juggle the roster and make it work.

Our forwards have been consistent, worthy opponents to all teams in the competition, and having played last season together in these potoroos and they are really started to gel.

The backline is made up of a mixture of the younger players moving up for their first year in first XV and returning players. When players are out, and as is always with small country town teams, who are never flush with numbers, the backline takes the hit , along with the flankers, and underdogs do what underdogs do best… scramble, improvise and, just make it work!

Both sides were matched for size, Marist’s skill and speed was on show from the start. Marist where quick off the mark scoring two tries with unsuccessful conversions. But the return of Lachlan Turner and Zac Willoughby was definitely appreciated by the boys.

Lachlan inspired the team to dig in with his textbook tackling in the fullback position and great runs with the ball. With today’s display, you would never have picked that this is his first year playing fifteen a side rugby, and black division, why not !?

Marist tried, but they were not getting through the line. The defence work from Goulburn was on show today! Just before half time Harry Hayes in jersey eight had a meat pie on the board for Goulburn.

The kick was unsuccessful and the half time whistle saw Marist leading 10-5. While the halftime time whistle left the Marist coach wondering what the .. just happened!

I was bursting with pride for our underdogs, and was wondering where the last decade had gone. It only seems like yesterday these guys were lacing up footy boots for the first time, forging new friendships, and had the concentration span of a gnat.

Now, on this field today they are young men in their last junior competition of rugby. They have played most codes of football between them, together and at school , have come and gone, but they have found rugby to be their thing!, Still friends, and I’m sure Dave would attest, that some still have the concentration span of a gnat … But they have just told Marist that they are here to play rugby, and never underestimate the underdog!

The second half for Goulburn seems to play out the same. Some fast ball spreading that wears the backs down, and revealing that they haven’t been afforded the same continuity and stability as the forwards. So yes Goulburn lost to Marist 44 – 5. But I hope that wasn’t the only take away from the game.

These boys have grit, on field dogged determination like no other and they have it in spades. All fuelled by a coaching staff who week in week out have made it clear to them that points and wins are not the goal! That team work, hard work and being better than you where last practise and past game is how you become a true winner in life! With the school holiday break, hopefully will we see the last 5 games with a full roster and more memories made to look back on when they are an old sports fan like me!

Photos: EMILY STANBERG

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