Coachy's Corner: Round 4, 2008 Hi everyone, In our Round four clash this week, The Bullets took on AFLV at 7:15 and were hoping to bounce back a little after a 34 point loss the week before. Our side welcomed the returns of Rob Hazell, Simon Conti & Dave Gutteridge. The opening minutes were certainly a positive start for our group with Margit marking strongly in front of her opponent and then goaling to have The Bullets nine points up and looking good. AFLV started to get into gear, though, and began to score themselves. But our backline were faring well amongst it all, with Dave & Rob getting plenty of kicks, while Dani in her first match down back was keeping her opponent quiet. Simon was busy up forward and, along with Andrew, was running very hard and  pushing up the ground. This left Margit in the goal mouth on a few occasions and,  while she took another good mark from a long pass, Andrew was starting to be a presence up there too. An amazing diving one handed mark from Andrew followed, but we couldn't seem to get the score on the board. Luke was travelling well in the middle and Narelle had her hands full and her feet moving trying to look after AFLV's super female midfielder. Narelle's couple of handy possessions to Luke in the centre clearances were good as always. The halftime bell arrived at a good time for us. Our players had worked really hard and were putting in a big effort. We were behind 9-25 and knew we could give the second half a big shot. The team's position changes for the second half saw Dani move to the forward line, Narelle go down back, and Margit join Luke in the centre. Dave also went forward, while Simon started in the back half. The Bullets came out guns blazing, our players winning plenty of footy with our forwards leading up well. Luke was really getting on top around the ground and Margit, like Narelle in the first half, won a couple of clearances out of the middle for us. Dave was fantastic, taking strong marks and also getting on top. Rob was another one who was continuing to impose himself on contests and taking some good marks pushing up from defence. AFLV weren't getting the ball down to their forward line much and  turnovers were haunting both sides. We kept going though. Andrew got better as the half went on and, after his second goal, we were right in it again. Dani was always dangerous. She didn't push up the ground much, just stayed mostly behind her opponent and waited for clever passes from Luke, Dave & Rob. Her marking was terrific, but we still couldn't quite get the lead. Footy serves up plenty of inspiration on occasions and sometimes when we least expect it. Narelle's wonderful intercepted mark from an AFLV defender's low spearing pass was a highlight for everyone, including Dean, Dan & myself on the boundary. We  had scoring opportunities. Dave was unlucky to have his shot from the boundary touched on the line and, as often happens in footy, AFLV ran it up the other end and kicked their first and only major for the half. That put them just over a goal in front - but The Bullets wouldn't go away. We had everyone giving everything, but we went down by five points in the end in a great tussle. Every player gave something throughout the match. Dave, Luke & Andrew really stood up in the middle/forward area in the second half. The three of them took some important marks, one of Andrew's brilliant. Simon, Narelle & Rob nullified their opponents & worked hard. Margit's goal and marking in the forward line was very important, while Dani's backline pressure and forward line marking was very good. Along with Narelle, these girls always put pressure on their opponents in the different positions they play, which is important because female players often win games. To miss by five points shows we can play well. Our second half had its ups and everyone should take those into the final two weeks of the season. Best Players: Dave, Luke, Andrew, Rob.H, Margit