Issue

23/2014 21 August 14

Eltham Rugby - 2014 Division 2A 2014 Charity Premiers and Minor Premiers

ERUFC gratefully acknowledges the generosity of the following Club Sponsors for Season 2014

DOVAGATE

Lloyd Thomas TEL: 0417502710 Painting and 2014 UNDEFEATED !!!!! Decorating Pty Ltd And that is not all…. Rats-Head Aluminium, “Coach of the Year, ” - Seniors Preston (and U8s) Coach: Tom Navanua SOLD OUT! “Player of the Year”- 2nd Div B Grade Will Taurima

“Best on Ground at Grand Final & Highest Point Scorer in A Grade”: Tony Keach

Tony Keach “Highest Try Scorer in the A Grade”: Rick Murphy Principal Sponsors 2014/15

U10 Photographs courtesy of Andy BrownFinal Competition Round for Juniors, then Finals!

Support the U12 Team at ERUFC 09:45 on Saturday as they qualify for finals against a combined and Power House team

After such a triumphant weekend just gone for the seniors, its Harlequins. Details are per the attached link: http:// hard to focus back on home and away games, but there is still www.melbournerebels.com.au/community/education/ one game of rugby left for the juniors and then the start of pathway-rugby the finals series. We still have some great rugby ahead of us Pathway Awards: We would love to see as many people so let’s get behind our junior teams and support them. there as possible for the presentations. It will be a wonderful Juniors: opportunity to acknowledge some our Rising Stars and also For the U16 minor premiers, the weekend represents a final acknowledge the winners of our “Service to Pathway” hit-out before the semi-finals against a Maroondah side that Awards. Note; cannot be underestimated. They are playing for a potential 4th -Power House: Rising Star Medallions and Service to Pathway place in the finals if Powerhouse lose to Harlequins. Good luck Awards will be presented at between 10:00am and 10:15am. to our lads as they prepare for the big one the following -Harlequin: Rising Star Medallions will be presented after each week. KO is at usual time of 10.40am at Maroondah. match has concluded. For the U14’s, a final Home game awaits against Box Hill. The Thank you to all our Pathways team managers and coaches season has seen many highs and lows and this last game will for another great season. Good luck for the final weekend! be full of the passion we have become used to seeing from the U14 Eltham team. Note this game will be at the later time Junior Finals: of 10.40am at HOME. Finals are played over 2 weeks (30th Aug and 6th Sep) with the For the U12 team, there is a do or die game against PH/ top four teams going through to the finals. The semi-final Geelong at home at 9.45am. The U12 team are in 3rd position format is 1v4 and 2v3 and the loser is knocked out with the on the ladder 1 point clear and have the fortune that the 2 winner going through to the Grand Final. Details of time and venues to be posted after this weekend. It is very important other teams vying for the finals are playing each other! th However the team is without Shaylin, one of their leading try that teams in the Finals submit their team sheets by 25 scorers for the rest of the season after breaking his collarbone August to Janelle. last week against Moorabbin. Eltham have managed 2 wins Here’s to a great week of positive rugby at Eltham! against PH\Geelong this season and have the benefit of the Rgds, home crowd to cheer them on. Game is at 9.45am at HOME. David Taylor All HOME games are on Bridge St pitch this weekend. Eltham Rugby Club Junior Co-ordinator Pathways: Email: [email protected] Just a reminder that the final Pathways day will be held this weekend. There are 2 venues with the Under 6&8 teams in www.elthamrugby.com.au Albert Park at Power House Rugby Club and the U10’s at

Our Minor Premier U16s travel to Griff Hunt Reserve for their final ladder game against neighbours Maroondah. Kick off 10:40am. U10 Photographs courtesy of Andy BrownMRCR Awards Season 2014

ERUFC Senior Player End of Season Awards Night Saturday 23 Aug 6:30pm Formal Attire 3 Course Dinner Greensboro’ RSL $50 pp U10 Photographs courtesy of Andy BrownEltham Rugby - 2014 Division 2A Premiers! 16 Aug 2014

Match Report: A Grade Grand Final Minor Premiers, Eltham 30 vs. 12 Kiwi Hawthorne Field 1. Box Hill RUC., RHL Sparks Reserve, Box Hill. 13:05 Saturday 16 August The grand final day had finally arrived and there seemed to be a quiet, business-like confidence within the team. The 10 months of effort, training and dedication came down to this one afternoon. The boys did not let the moment get too big for them...they just did what they always do...they got to work doing the hard stuff to reach their goal. On the other hand the Eltham faithful were a mess. All working out different ways to try only to be called out by the touchy. Unlucky for E-town, handle their nervous energy wanting the championship for so but Tony slotted the easy penalty and the early 3-0 lead. many who deserved it: players, coaches, and volunteers. The fan base made their presence felt at the outset taking over the sidelines directly in front of the scoreboard. In a stroke of pure inspiration, supporter Bennie van der Merwe pulled off an ingenious move by strapping a Wattle Tree to the side of the scoreboard announcing the arrival of the Mighty Wattle Nation.

Another 3 points to Tony Keach! Despite owning possession and territory for the first several minutes of the match Eltham could only manage the three point lead and that wouldn't last long. The Kiwi's flipped the field and were now putting Eltham under pressure of their own. It looked as if now maybe there were some nerves showing through with the good guys as there were a few As the teams came out of the dressing shed, Eltham looked uncharacteristic drops giving the Hawthorn side additional focused and ready. Luckily for us, the cashed-up Kiwi- chances in the Eltham end of the field. Before long we found Hawthorn side got a flashy new kit for the grand final so that ourselves behind 5-3 after KH spun it wide and the wing just at least the team jerseys actually looked a bit different than squeaked one over the line. This lifted the spirits of the bad our prior three meetings. In those three matches Eltham beat guys and they came out on the front foot looking dangerous the Kiwi side by a total aggregate of 102-7, however, Kiwi- for most of the first half. Eltham withstood the barrage as the Hawthorn has improved in every match and was in excellent Kiwi's used their size and pace to question our defensive form going into the finals. This fuelled the nerves of the fans, resolve. but the Eltham senior boys seemed unimpressed by our opponents recent form and opened the game with some Slowly but surely the good guys worked methodically to get punishing defence and pressured our adversaries with a back in front moving through multiple phases and inched withering offensive attack. The Kiwi's were up to their old closer to the Kiwi line and then came an incredible sequence tricks doing everything possible to slow down the attacking of play that demonstrated the skill and athleticism on the field Eltham style and the referee gave the signal for the advantage for both teams, but ultimately cracked the game open in directly in front of the posts. Knowing the advantage was on, Eltham's favour. As Eltham threatened the line the Hawthorn the backs spun it wide where Marika appeared to get the first

First Try? Almost Marika. No doubt about this try - Mike Gima U10 Photographs courtesy of Andy Brown Eltham Rugby - 2014 Division 2A Premiers! 16 Aug 2014

#13 intercepted a pass and looked to be on his relentless pressure cracked Hawthorn's discipline way to scoring an 80 meter try. The chase was when their hot-headed Frenchman (#6) lost his on and as he crossed halfway Mike G. closed mind and threw a head butt at Juddy. It was so the gap and put in a textbook tackle from blatant that even touch judge Hamish, our old behind wrapping the legs of the centre in full referee nemesis, saw it. The match referee had no flight and dragging him down. Eltham got choice but to hand out the well-deserved yellow there in numbers and won the ball. Azza card. spotted the entire Kiwi defence in disarray and The forwards had been putting in the tough work all put a quick kick over the top and the now the afternoon in both the loose and the set, but it was chase was on for Eltham. The KH #15 made a their efforts over the last few minutes of the half nice play getting back just in time and sent a that solidified E-town's grip on the shield. Olly had huge kick down the field back into the Eltham been a general nuisance to the opposition at the half with their #12 and #14 flying down the far side and breakdown all day, cleaning out players, and often poking the cracking the E-town defence. The bounce was unkind to the ball out of the rucks with his feet. Just before half, he toed a opposition winger who slipped a little while trying to reel in ball out of the ruck right through the Kiwi halfbacks 'five hole' the ball and the KH #12 grabbed the ball and put in another and dove for the loose ball. Olly and a KH back rower arrived quick chip...Isaac raced back, scooped up the ball and made a break up the field. He ducked, weaved and fended his way to

the KH side of the field before being dragged down and a stoppage of play was finally called. It was lung-sapping stuff. End to end action with relentless attack from both teams. The at the ball at the same time, but Olly was able to wrestle the advantage ultimately went to Eltham because of their ball away. Mark Southwood rucked over and more Eltham superior level of fitness, where this one forwards piled into the ruck securing the minute of non-stop action seemed to tip the possession. Crisp passing saw the ball finally balance toward Eltham and the Kiwis slowly clear the centres because of the Kiwi defensive started to lose ground after this series of plan had been quite effective up to this point. play. They fired three defenders at Rick every time On the ensuing set piece, Tony kicked for the ball left Tony's (#10) hands effectively territory trying to pin the Hawthorn side clogging the Eltham attack and daring us to find deep in their end and the exhausted winger the space wide. This time though, they gave dropped the kick giving Eltham the scrum in Rick half a step and he was able to send the ball the shadow of the posts. Azza and Dan Hall wide and put Mike G. into space with a three showed off some excellent brotherly on one against the helpless winger (Big James communication as Azza called for Dan to and Mike W were in perfect support out wide). pick off the base as he 'occupied' the Mike skated over the line and Eltham stretched opposition #9 and Dan cruised in for the first the lead to 17-5 just before the half. Eltham try. Tony slotted the conversion for After the half, Kiwi-Hawthorn and Eltham were the 10-5 lead. The forwards cranked up the content to smash away at one another waiting intensity with tough, hard running from for one team to make the first mistake. It James and incredible defensive efforts from looked as if Eltham would be the first to crack the likes of Dolzy and Juddy who tackled as the giant opposition #7 made a rare break everyone in a red jersey. This work rate and U10 Photographs courtesy of Andy BrownEltham Rugby - 2014 Division 2A Premiers! 16 Aug 2014

through the Wattle defence. As he flew and the subsequent 22-5 lead. There finally down the field, the entire sideline was on a seemed to be some breathing room and the knife edge. The only person who didn't look collective blood pressure of the Eltham mob nervous was Isaac at fullback who was began to come down a bit. casually standing on the 22m line like he was To Kiwi-Hawthorn's credit they slugged their way waiting for the bus. The big #7 ignored his back into the game. Using good structure and support and ultimately underestimated the communication they asked questions of the smaller, nonchalant fullback waiting for him. Eltham defence and worked their way down the Isaac dropped him like a bad habit and pitch grinding toward the line. They put one in slammed the door on the Hawthorn hopes just left of the posts to lift themselves back for a comeback. The Eltham crowd roared to within ten points. life and the E-town rugby machine was reenergized and took it right to the bad guys. You measure good teams by how they respond to adversity and Eltham responded in a big way. For the next Around this time, the Eltham scrum started to stabilize and several minutes our stopped moving back on top of Azza at halfback. Tommy, defence won the game. Mark and Sam stood up to the Kiwi's strength and ultimately Sam was absolutely feral at outlasted them, now they turned the tables. The improved this point dropping anyone platform provided Eltham with the ability to launch the backs who dared run near him. Riley was straight-up mongrel as he sorted out bad guys all over the pitch. Brad G. just seemed to glide all over the place closing down angles and limiting options for Hawthorn. The forwards were absolutely hounding the Kiwi side, and those efforts turned it over at a break down near and have more time to find the gaps in the defence. Isaac midfield. Eltham went on a once again got us going by fielding a poor clearance kick and fast break and before you spinning into a massive hit from a huge Kiwi forward. could say 'rugby team formally known as Boroondara' Rick Unfazed, Isaac got right to his feet in the ruck and the ill- was off down the far sideline, where he drew the last disciplined KH #6 saw an opportunity to take a shot at an defender and made the pass to Mike W. who took it over for Eltham player and launched himself into the ruck. The the try. This pushed the lead back to a comfortable 27-12 with misguided evildoer got a dose of 'karmic justice' as he 10 minutes left. knocked his own Hawthorn players out of the ruck. Isaac picked up the ball since the ruck no longer existed and spun it wide on the attack. Rick was finally able to enjoy a bit of space and he made them pay as he accelerated through the defence U10 Photographs courtesy of Andy BrownEltham Rugby - 2014 Division 2A Premiers! 16 Aug 2014

The team could feel it now. Even from the sidelines you could This is what happens when we view our club as a whole see how every player on the pitch wanted to be in on every community from the U6's to the masters and every volunteer tackle to pressure at every possible moment where every that makes it all happen. Onwards and upwards. I look forward player run a bit faster...dug a little deeper...hit a little harder... to future seasons with Eltham, but this season will be talked An example of this point happened when Tony kicked a ball about for years to come... best part is that this rugby story, deep into the KH end. The unlike most, will be the truth. opposition #6 picked up the ball A few final thoughts: and was set upon by no less then six Eltham players all tearing at the  This team went 17-0, 16 wins plus one forfeit. ball. The Frenchman had less of a Unconfirmed rumours are we are the first Senior side to chance than Napoleon at Waterloo go undefeated in the history of the VRU. and turned over the ball inside his Team total points, 688 in 16 games played = 43 points own 22. Juddy fired a great pass per game from the ruck and it went wide where Nortie appeared to dive one  Defensively, we allowed 151 points in those 16 games = over, but was called in touch just 9.4 points per game. before he dotted the ball. However,  For a total percentage of 455%...whoa. Complete and the Kiwi's were called for offside on utter domination. the play and Tony K. slotted the penalty for the final score of 30-12.  We are home to the VRU coach of the year, the VRU The referee blew the whistle and points leader, Div 2A tries leader, and the Div 2B player the perfect season was complete. of the year. The celebrations erupted on and off the pitch. The players The problem with trying to describe the events of this day is mobbed one another as the Eltham fans on the sideline made that nothing I could write will do it justice. There is no way to sure everyone in the Box Hill postcode knew that Eltham had describe the amount of effort and dedication that everyone put just won the flag. Many of Eltham's most grizzled volunteers in over the last several months, it was a pleasure to witness and supporters fought back their emotions as the seniors and write about. Take a bow boys...it was a special season. provided a classy move by applauding their fans from the pitch. A few tears in the eyes of our most committed Andrew Gilbert volunteers demonstrates the love they feel for this little club. U10 Photographs courtesy of Andy BrownThe Celebrations:

Collateral damage! U10 Photographs courtesy of Andy BrownStensholt & Mitchell: The Australian Financial Review Aug’14 U10 Photographs courtesy of Andy Brown Stensholt & Mitchell: The Australian Financial Review Aug’14 U10 Photographs courtesy of Andy Brown Stensholt & Mitchell: The Australian Financial Review Aug’14 U10 Photographs courtesy of Andy BrownSeason 2014 Player Sponsors…….MR’s U20’s Recruitment

Subject: U20 Coaching & Management Positions Player Sponsor Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 15:50:01 +1000 Allocation From: [email protected]

Experior Amir Samuels The Rebels are inviting any interested Experior Sam Vettorelli coaches & managers to apply for roles within the 2015 Trees R Us Riley Bain U20’s Team. Trees R Us Colm O'Mahony There are preferred candidates for 2 of the roles, but we Sheren Electrical Rick Murphy encourage any willing applicants to apply for the following Lachlan Yeats Joshua Guy positions: Heath Yeats Aaron Hall  Head Coach Dovagate Nick Steel  Assistant Coach (2 positions) Dovagate Alex Steel  Development Coach The Shed Company Tony Keach  Team Manager Knox City Sportsco Oliver Reid All positions require flexibility to attend training 4 nights Zen Fitness Personnel Training Marika Navuni per week and Saturday mornings. The program requires a 5 month commitment beginning in October and finishing Adams Family Norton Fenton in February. Please read the attached job description Southwood Family Michael Wehipeihana carefully before applying. David Griffiths IT Services Isaac Haimona Please click on the link below for more information

Brent Hansen Dan Hall Applications close Wednesday 3rd September at 5pm Brent Hansen James Hansen http://melbournerebels.com.au/news/article/u20s- melbourne-rebels-coaching-positions RFW Classic Cars Joshua Abrahams Kind regards, Nic David Griffiths I T Services Brad Graf Nic Henderson | Elite Pathway Manager, Coach Vicki Ward (ALP Candidate for Eltham) Sam Judd Education & Five Star Coordinator Clubs and Schools Melbourne Rebels Ltd | Visy Park Gate 3, Royal Manester Family Joshua Paver Parade, Carlton North VIC 3054 I P O Box 29, Parkville, VIC 3052 RH Consulting (The Hurdle Family) Mark Southwood P: 1300 'GO REBELS' | D: +61 3 9221 0743 | M: +61 402 834 775 | E: [email protected] Grafcon Christian Stander

Melbourne Rebels U20 registrations are NOW OPEN for season 2015. Trials will be held in October for all players born after January 1 , 1995. More details will be released as the trials come closer The form can be found online at; http://www.melbournerebels.com.au/community/competitions/2015-u20s-rego-form U10 Photographs courtesy of Andy BrownMelbourne Rising……………….Pathway & Junior End of Season

Preliminary advice: Pathway and Junior Player End of Season Arrangements: Date: 13th Sep Time: midday to 4pm U6’s thro’ to 12’s and 6pm -Late for U14/16’s. Entertainment: midday to 4pm jumping castle/giant slide/Activities semi—formal presentation dinner for U14/16s Cost: to be advised Location: Bridge Street Ground—afternoon Clubroom—evening Please send articles, photographs and match reports to: [email protected] 6 28 22 20 15 13 11 6 31 30 25 24 23 Date - - Oct Sep diary: for Dates your ------Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep

Sat Thurs Sat Sun Sat Mon Sun Sat Day Mon Sun Mon Sat Mon

10:40 9:45 9:45 10:20 8:45 Time 14:00 15:00 to late6 midday From 19:30 15:00 15:00 14:00 18:30 10:40 10:30

U6 v Souths wks. 10 of NRC, Start Description Under 10 Under 8 Under 6 Under EndSeason Junior of Awards Spirit Perth vs. Melb Rising vs Melb Brisbane City Finals Grand Junior Melb. Starsvs. Sydney Finals Semi Junior Meeting Committee North vs. Melb Rising Awards Senior Finals Masters vs. Easts U18 Maroondah vs. away U16s vs.Hill Box home U14s House/Geelong vs. Power home U12s Brimbank U10 v Hills Black U8 v End Nillumbik Lions Mtg Lions Nillumbik vs. Melb Rising Meeting Committee Eagles Country NSW Mtg Lions Nillumbik Festival Cup Pacific 14/16 Under 12 Under

AAMI Park, Melbourne AAMI Park, RSL Greensborough North Croydon , Road Lyons Reserve, RUC, GriffHunt Maroondah ERUFC Field, Bridge Street 60 (Melways Power Ashwood Ave., Reserve, Ashwood RUC., Harlequins 2K G12) (Melways Park. Albert Drive, Lakeside Club, Rugby PowerHouse Location ERUFC Melbourne AAMI Park, ERUFC NSW Orange Park, Wade F12) 47 (melways Hill. Box Roads, Canterbury and Middlesborough Reserve,Cnr Sparks RHL Hill RUC, Box ERUFC Clubhouse, ERUFC Bridge Street, ERUFC Bridge Street, ERUFC Bridge Street, ERUFC Bridge Street, AAMI Park, Melbourne Ballymore, Brisbane Oval, Sydney Leichhardt ERUFC

Reid Olly from ticket $50 per the season of fixture last Celebration, Comment Presentation Evening andMeal Awards presentations FunFamily Day including team [email protected] Items to Agenda