AFS Coaching Staff Billy, Andy, Jimmy, Peter and Daniel would like to congratulate all the players from the Peninsula Zone.  This year’s Finals held at Shepparton on 21st February saw every Peninsula player go home with a medal!  A fantastic effort from all the boys. Well done to each and every one of you. 

Under 13 Summary by Peter Blasby. 

What the boys lacked in skill they showed in determination, persistence and , a never give up attitude The boys were 1 nil up in both games against so called stronger opposition; Despite the fact that the other teams we came up against seemed slightly better than us technically, to the boys credit they did not let it  phase them.  Even when they played the semi- final against a team who are said to be a South Melbourne super league team, they were 1 nil up for most of the game. The boys can be very proud of this especially when we remember that they were without our usual goalkeeper who had been injured in an earlier clash and had to be taken from the pitch concussed.  Sadly for the boys they were beaten by a stronger Monash team in the semi-final, but they can be proud as I know they tried their best and that is all I can ask of them.  With the semi-finals over Jimmy and I headed off for a well earned drink to celebrate how well our boys had played…………….only to get 10 minutes down the road and I receive a call from Andy asking us to return for the 3rd and 4th place play-off final  Oops!  We do apologise to both the players and their rather anxious parents! Due to the injury to our keeper they took to the field with only 10 men and things were not looking good.  However, the boy’s spirit was strong and they showed a lot of guts and determination, trying to be first to the ball and encouraging each other throughout the game.  Their efforts paid off and they were rewarded with a 1 nil win and a bronze medal. That in itself was a GREAT achievement so again I say from Jimmy and me what a fantastic effort boys.  It has been a pleasure coaching you this year 

Under 13 boys recommended for Rep Squad trials are: Bradley Jackson, Callum Norton and Zac Norton. 

Under 12 Summary by Andy Thomas.

 In the Under 12 age group the boys had a slow start losing their first two matches.  Thankfully they managed to pull things together in the all important third game and achieved a 2-1 victory. having gone a goal down in the first half. We were now in the semi-finals and had to face the Monash Blue team. Again the boys continued to improve and again came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw, taking the match 4-2 on penalties. So to the final - Monash Gold. Our regular centre back Cameron in goal due to an earlier injury, our goalkeeper George as striker. It certainly wasn’t the formation I had planned earlier. All of the boys were outstanding in the final and needed to be against a team who had defeated us 2-0 earlier in the day. Hopefully all the parents have now recovered from the nail biting last 5 minutes of the final when the boys were under a lot of pressure from the Monash front line.  Despite this they hung on well to achieve a 1-0 victory and a gold medal each.  A special mention must go to Cameron Fenton who, despite his injury, did a splendid job and pulled off some fine saves. Well done Cam. Our under 12 team had 7 boys recommended for trials for the AFS Representative Squad and Isaiah Joseph was also nominated as the ‘Under 12 Most Valued Player’. Great Work Issy! 

Under 12 boys recommended for Rep Squad trials are: Jarrod Blackbourn, Kalebh Horrocks, Cameron Fenton, Philip Greig, Isaiah Joseph, Liam Stuckenschmidt and George Thomas. 

Under 11 Blue Summary by Billy Rae. 

The overall performance from the Blue team was exceptional. To play a complete tournament and not lose a goal is very good, but to do it without a recognised goalkeeper makes it even better. There is an old saying in football “A champion team will always beat a team of champions” and that is what the Blue team did on Saturday. I cannot express how much I admire and respect what Ben, Jake, Tom and Damian did for their team on Saturday, to volunteer to play in goal and maybe sacrifice any chance of making the representative team was unbelievable. To put your team ahead of yourself is what football is all about. As the saying goes “There is no ‘i’  in team” and the boys listed above showed that last Saturday. Losing on penalties in the final isn’t a problem, although I confess I got that part wrong. When I asked who wanted to take the penalties I rejected some of the players who offered, in hindsight that was a big mistake. So to those boys who offered and I put further down the list please accept my apologies.  One incident from the weekend highlights what this great game of ours is all about. I had Lukas on the sidelines for the start of the semi-final against the Gold team, I said to him while we were watching the game “How good would it be to score the winner in this game.  When Lukas did score what proved to be the winner, the look on his face and his reaction’s after scoring made all the work we do worth while. Football is about players, we coaches are a necessary evil. It is the players who entertain the spectators and all the spectators watching the Peninsula teams last Saturday where entertained at the highest level.  To all the boys from Peninsula who have been selected in their respective teams, this includes the under 13’s players, I congratulate you all. To the players who missed out, do not let this decision get you down, there is always next year and we will work even harder at getting more players into each squad. To all the parents, I thank you on behalf of the Australian Football Skool for bringing your boys to the academy and we hope to see you again next year. I would also like to congratulate all the parents for their behaviour throughout this past season, we have without a doubt the best behaved parents in the AFS.The boys may not agree with this next statement but the fathers and coaches of the Under 11 and 12 boys are all superb football players in their own right, as was shown last Thursday when we thrashed the boys! Not only did we win but we did it easily, and why some of the fathers were not selected in the representative teams is bewildering! Andy and Daniel I thank you both for the support and encouragement you gave me and the boys throughout the season. Andy what you achieved on Saturday was excellent and the longer the tournament went the better the boys played, well done. Daniel you were so unlucky to meet such a great team in the semi-final, and no one is going to believe you when you say you let me win, so as to guarantee I would give you a lift home! Again Daniel you did an excellent job and I thank you. On Saturday evening the directors of the academy could not believe the success of the Peninsula Zone, they always thought of us more as country type zone who would supply a couple of players. What we as a group have achieved is very special and I thank the coaching staff, parents and most of all the players.  What we have achieved in the last two years is exceptional by any standards.  A word of warning, we must keep up this very high standard that we coaches, parents and players have set for ourselves and work even harder next season.  Until next season, yours sincerely Bill Rae 

Under 11 Gold Summary by Daniel Skaler 

Our U11 Gold team were unlucky to have lost 2-1 to Central in their first match. After what was a fairly evenly balanced game, Central went 1:0 up after a great strike on goal which Nikolai Skaler tried to spoil with his well timed sliding tackle, however, the shot got through and with the help of the wind managed to dip just under the cross bar. Peninsula were very determined to bring the score back to level after the half time break and with a great team effort, strung together some great passes from Soloman Joseph in defence to Jesse Cakau and Ted Thomas in midfield and on to our forwards where Nikolai Skaler scored the equaliser. Unfortunately, shortly after their celebrations a 2nd goal was scored by Central close to the full time whistle.  Our second match was another hard fought contest against a determined North West team who had numerous shots on goal, and if it wasn't for the heroics of Peninsula goalkeeper, James Foster, the score line would have been greater than the 1-1 final result. After what appeared to be a shaky start by our very young team, the boys picked themselves up in the 3rd match quarter final against Monash. Youngsters Kevin and Jesse did very well in defence as always, ensuring the Monash forwards didn't get close to goal with some very well timed sliding tackles and shot clearances from the back, linking very well with our midfielders. Josh, Soloman Joseph and Yodish did extremely well in midfield to execute some excellent passes to our forwards, Ryan Mclean and Nikolai Skaler who scored a goal each. After winning the Quarter Final 2-0, our next opponents were Peninsula U11 Blue in the semis. The boys were feeling very confident against their fellow zone team mates, but it looked like the game was destined to go to penalties until Lucas Goodchild scored a wonder goal to secure a win for the Peninsula U11 Blue's and a place in the Final.  Our U11 Gold team had to play against their first match victors, Central, for a 3rd/4th placing. Remembering the disappointment at losing their first match against Central, the boys were determined to put a better effort in with some excellent first touch passes and play making from all involved. James made some important saves, whilst Kevin, Soloman and Jesse did some great defending to prevent Central from having too many shots on goal. Ted and Nikolai did very well in midfield setting Ryan up to score the first goal. Ryan returned the favour by linking well with Nikolai up front for Nikolai to slot in our 2nd goal of the match, thereby earning a 2-0 win and 3rd placing bronze medal for the tournament. Well done to all the boys for their effort and enthusiasm. Peninsula Under 11 Blue finished 2nd, with the Peninsula Under 11 Gold finishing 3rd.  Our under 11 squads also saw 8 of their players recommended for trials for the Under 11 AFS Representative squad. 

Under 11’s boys recommended for Rep Squad trials are: James Foster, Soloman Joseph, Nikolai Skaler, Ryan McLean, Zac Athanasopolous, Nathanial Daher, Thomas Jackson, and Damian Susanj. 

Finally may I take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful parents who have been so supportive of the boys and the AFS this year.  Thank you to everyone for making the finals in Shepparton a great experience for us all, thanks for the use of the gazebo’s, blankets and chairs etc and thanks to my wife Kath and mother-in-law Carol for organising the BBQ.  This definitely contributed to the boy’s excellent performance as they were able to seek shade, food and fluid and stay together as a team between matches.  We look forward to your continued support of the AFS next year.  

The AFS is committed to improving the summer programme wherever possible and actively seeks comments from parents and players, please take a few moments to complete the survey that was recently emailed to you. 

To all the coaches, players and parents from all the other zones, plus all those associated with the AFS, we at the Peninsula Zone thank each and every one of you for all the support you have given us throughout this season. Many thanks again and we look forward to seeing you in an AFS shirt next year!