Rowley: Toe poke should be outlawed
The Annual Originals captain seeks clarification on toe poking after demoralising extra-time loss
October 19th 2008, 10:31am
The Annual FC Originals captain Grant Rowley will meet with Indoor Soccer regulators this week to debate the validity of the ‘toe-poke.’
Rowley has called for the rules to be reviewed after after his team went down 4-3 to The Annual New Boys in the inaugural Inter-Club Cup at Oakleigh on Friday.
New Boys star Adrian Randall scored two goals in the game. He booted both of his goals using his toe, making life difficult – and some say impossible – for Original goal keeper Mick Berry to save. His second goal in the opening seconds of extra time sealed the fate of The Originals.
Rowley says that there is no place for the toe poke in the game.
“It was a rough way to lose the match,” he said.
“The Originals had done just about everything right up until that point, however, we fell foul to one of Randall’s toe.
“Either the top-poke should be outlawed or Randall’s toes be removed immediately.”
Despite the tough loss, Rowley thanked both teams for their outstanding sportsmanship and dedication to The Annual.
“Having a sporting team of my own is something I don’t take lightly. It’s fun and competitive but it wouldn’t be as fun without an awesome group like I have. I’m also quite blessed that all players are very competitive and like to win.
“I look forward to getting back into the regular season of The Annual FC competition, and I also look forward to evening up some scores in the next Inter-Club Cup match.”
It was a devastating loss for Rowley’s team, who trailed 1-0 early in the match before goal keeper Mick Berry made a late appearance on the field in the first quarter, scoring The Original’s first goal.
The Originals conceded another goal in the second quarter and went to the half time break a goal down.
Rowley levelled the score in the opening seconds of the third quarter, giving his team a real sniff of victory. It was followed by a goal for Brett Sanders in the last quarter, setting up what looked like a surprise win. A late goal for the New Boys from Phillip Mahoney took the game into overtime, which was followed by the controversial golden goal toe poke.
The Annual FC will return to the pitch this Thursday, 7.20pm, against the Dirty Waffles.
Game Review: New Boys triumph in extra-time thriller
October 20th 2008, 11:35am
An extraordinary extra-time Randall special has seen the New Boys triumph over the Original lads in a thrilling display of quality indoor soccer.
The match started frenetically, but it took some time for the players to adjust to the new venue and rules. The no-go keeper zone caught out a number of players in the first term, but only the New Boys could capitalise with Pony scoring from the penalty line. The Old Boys managed to snag a brilliant goal late in the term by swapping Mick out of goal keeping duties to smash a goal between the post and the leg of New Boys keeper Pete.
The second quarter was a bit more organised as everyone adjusted to the new style of play, but it was clear that the goal-keeping exclusion zone was a god-send for The Annual FC's two sensational keepers. Both teams had plenty of shots on goal, but only the New Boys could squeeze in a goal to take a 1 goal lead into the long break.
The Originals had the kick-off to start the third quarter and Matt Howarth was instrumental in an amazing set-play that drew the scores in the first minute. With a strange crab-like walk, Matt took the ball from halfway, down into the left corner while the rest of his team held back. Then, with the New Boys transfixed by this strange behaviour, he turned and crossed the ball beautifully across the blue-zone to his captain who had somehow moved into acres of space. Rowley was never going to miss from there, and the Originals were level. The Originals maintained post-game that this was a planned play, but the New Boys appeared doubtful that the old dogs could possibly have learnt a new trick.
The New Boys were desperate to get back in front, and with their superior speed and fitness they were looking threatening. In the fourth quarter though, it was Brett, the oldest man on the pitch, who put the Originals in front. It looked over from that point, the Originals were defending well, and goals had been hard to come by all game. With only about 90 seconds left on the clock some brotherly telepathy allowed Allan to pass to Pony in space, and his shot fired past Mick to level the scores.Celebrations were tempered by the tiredness shown by most players. The heat and pace of the game had taken it's toll. Extra time and golden goal was decided on, rather than go to penalties. The players lined up with the New Boys to take the kick off. As the ref blew his whistle and the New Boys passed it back to Randall, the Originals were still discussing tactics. Half a second later tactics were irrelevant as Randall's amazing toe-bash flew from three quarter court straight past three Original players into the goal. The ecstatic New Boys hugged and sang while the stunned Original lads stood around and wondered whether Randall actually has toes.
It was a sensational win by the New Boys, and the drawn score at full time showed how well matched these sides were. The Annual FC has clearly recruited well to maintain the quality of the side over so many years.
The Annual FC returns to the pitch this Thursday, 7.20pm, against the Dirty Waffles. They desperately need a win but will be missing a few players over the next couple of weeks due to family and work commitments.
The Annual ICC plays a semi-final tonight against the Devos. They will be looking for redemption after last seasons dismal semi-final effort.
Game Preview - Updated October 17th 2008 13:55pm
October 17th 2008, 12:03pm
The Annual's Old Boy's vs New Boys grudge match is shaping as a spectacular affair, with a pre-game slanging match that deteriorated into a fashion contest exposing the level of emotion involved. This is shaping as the game of the season, so get down to watch if you can.
The New Boys
Players:
AVL (c): Solid player, loves a shot on goal. Heart and soul of the team which is why he is captain.
Peter: Keeper extroadinaire. Will make it difficult for the Old Boys to score.
Adrian: Goal scorer, go to man for free kicks. Old boys will have to try and restrict his shots on goal.
Pony: Wingman, quick mover. Dangerous on the rebound.
Allan: Wingman, ball handler. Great skills, New Boys will look to him and Pony to be the playmakers.
Mitch: Defender, holds space well, loves to get forward and have a long shot at goal.
Tactics: Old Boys don't have as many playmakers, and on paper look slower, so the New Boys will look to exploit their speed with quick rebounding and lots of shots on goal. They will play through AVL and Allan, looking to the run from Adrian and Pony to score goals. Will be desperate to shut down the goal scoring behemoths of GR and PHil.
Wildcard: Mitch has scored a few long shots at goal in the last few outings, and with the Old Boys having injury troubles they may have to play through their keeper making the long shot a percentage play.
The Old Boys
Players:
GR (c): Striker/centre. Dangerous on the burst or from the long goalie throw. Rarely fails to score.
PHil: Playmaker, New Boys will aim to play through PHil and Mick, setting up GR or Matt to score.
Mick: Keeper, playmaker. Old Boys will need to get Mick out of goals as much as possible to help cover their player shortage.
Matt: Wingman, quick mover. Quick on his feet and reads the play brilliantly. Back for his first game since a major injury.
Brett: Defender. Is the voice of the Old Boys, has been in practice on the sidelines for weeks.
Garrett: Newcomer, playing injured but determined to shine, New Boys will have to watch out for Garrett in his short bursts on the field.
Tactics: With injury worries, the Old Boys will have to make the most of their opportunities. They will look to hold on to the ball and frustrate their younger, more emotional opponents. They may look to swap keepers to upset the New Boys match-ups. GR, PHil and Mick look to have goal-scoring responsibilities.
Wildcard: Matt and Brett have been out of action for long periods, so look for them to be fired up and full of energy.
Final Word: The quicker New Boys team will need to get out to a quick lead to hold off the experience of the Old Boys. If it's a close game, the Old Boys will play tempo ball and wait for their chances. The New Boys have the initial advantage on paper, but can they hold it together with a new and inexperienced captain?
Douglas: “I’m fit to play”
The Annual Originals will front with six players for tonight’s match
October 17th 2008, 13:46pm
INJURY concerns have dogged the build up to The Annual Original’s Inter-Club Cup stoush tonight, however, team captain Grant Rowley has confirmed that the Originals will field a full team
of six players.
Garrett Douglas, special guest for The Originals, has declared himself fit to play after the shock news that Adam Swenser has become unavailable for selection due to a rare disease.
Gold Coast resident Douglas is looking forward to the match, despite an injury to his foot.“I’ve brought some Panadine Forte with me,” Douglas said.
“I’m not a junky or anything, but I will be injecting the Forte goodness directly into my veins.”
Swenser, a late inclusion in The Originals, has been ruled out due to a common problem known as ‘Sickwifeandchild Syndrome.'
A spokesman from the Swenser camp said: “This is a serious affliction suffered by many men. Adam has a history going back almost 10 years relating to this syndrome. There is only one known cure, but we are not willing to try the risky procedure ... He could play, but he would then have to undergo testicle removal procedures.”
Captain Rowley says that with Douglas, Swenser, or both, The Originals remain confident.
“It’s a shame that Adam won’t be able to play,” he says.
“Douglas won’t be able to play a full game, but I know that his impact on the pitch will be nothing sort of spectacular and felt on the scoreboard.”
The game kicks off at 7pm, tonight, tonight, tonight.
Age and Experience beat Youth and Exuberance Every Time
The nuffcumptin weighs in
October 16th 2008, 12:05pm
An old farmer had owned a large farm for several years. He had a large pond in the back, fixed up nice; picnic tables, horseshoe courts, basketball court, etc.
The pond was properly shaped and fixed up for swimming when it was built.
One evening the old farmer decided to go down to the pond, as he hadn't been there for a while, and look it over.
As he neared the pond, he heard voices shouting and laughing with glee.
As he came closer he saw it was a bunch of young women skinny dipping in his pond.He made the women aware of his presence and they all went to the deep end of the pond.
One of the women shouted to him, "We're not coming out until you leave!"
The old man replied, "I didn't come down here to watch you ladies swim or make you get out of the pond naked.
"I only came to feed the crocodile."
Moral of this story....
Old age and treachery will triumph over youth and skill.
Bullshit and brilliance only come with age and experience
No ‘Old Spice’ at Inter-Club Cup
The Annual’s New Boys slam Old trash talk
October 16th 2008, 11:16am
THE Annual’s New Boys aren’t prepared to fight fire with fire ahead of this week’s Inter-Club Cup at Oakleigh Indoor Sports Centre.Fiery trash talk has recently emerged from the Codger’s camp, with veteran captain Grant Rowley claiming in the media that the gramps brigade “will win or I’ll buy Andrew van Leeuwen coffee for a week.”
But van Leeuwen, who will captain the sprightly New Boys at the upcoming crunch match, is refusing to enter into what he describes as a “bitter smear campaign by a bespectacled knob head.”
“We aren’t going to fight fire with fire,” said van Leeuwen. “We are going to fight their fire, which more closely resembles the oil lanterns they all used in the 1940s, with sublime ball skills and an unbeatable game plan. We are going to let our feet do the talking.”
Far from surprised by Rowley’s public outburst, van Leeuwen says it is expected with the pressure of the big match building up like the pressure on their old and delicate bladders after their evening cup of tea.
“These pricks are so old their feet can hardly do any walking, let alone talking,” said van Leeuwen, “so I was expecting to hear this sort of garbage come out of Rowley’s mouth. You know how much old people like to complain about things. They’ll probably get on the wrong ‘trolley’ and wind up somewhere stupid like Springvale, where they will reminisce about when it all used to be market gardens, and they’ll miss the game completely.”
Should the geriatrics actually make it to the game, van Leeuwen isn’t expecting them to worry his youngens too much.
“Who’s going to score, seriously?’ he said. “Sure they’ve got Phil Howarth, but we’ve already sorted how we will shut him down, and there goes their only chance. I mean, Mick’s not bad in goals, but what’s he going to do? Stop one of Aidy’s toe bashes? One of those bad boys will give his ageing hips the displacement of a lifetime. “As for Rowley, I’m just going to steal his glasses Bundaberg style so he’ll be rooted. I’ve already been involved in one Matt Howarth shoulder dislocation and I’ll do it again, and I’ve never even heard of this broken hand dude, so he can’t be any good.”
The game starts at 7pm this Friday, and will be pretty much over at 7:03, when the New Boys already have a six goal advantage.
Original And The Best
The Annual Originals captain says "We will win" Inter-Club Cup
October 16th 2008, 10:41am
THE Annual Originals will win the inaugural Inter-Club Cup tomorrow, according to Originals captain Grant Rowley.
Despite off-field talk that The Originals will go into the match as underdogs, plus some injury concerns, Captain Rowley says that the experience and dedication of his team should see them take a comfortable victory."All that underdog chat is crap," he said.
"We started this fuck'n team, so if the New Boys think we're about to roll over for them, they've got another thing coming. We will win tomorrow night.
"With the likes of Mick Berry, the Howarth brothers and Brett Sandars, all who have a lot of Annual FC experience, we will be too strong for the New Boys."
The Originals team has had a significant injury blow over recent days, with special guest player Garrett Douglas revealing that he has a possible cracked bone in his right foot. Douglas is only
a "30 percent" chance of playing in the match.
Captain Rowley has drafted in Adam Swenser as a second substitute for his team. Swenser played in the very-first Annual FC match back in 2005, but only played three matches before having his career cut short by a hand injury.
Regardless, Rowley heads into the match confident, but says he'll be paying close attention to a number of players in the New Boys squad."In my opinion, those two arsey Mahoney brothers will be the key to their game. If we shut them down, they'll have no hope.
"They've also got Peter Ryan in goals. Generally, he'd be tough to get one past him, but he's been on the injury list for some weeks now.
There's no substitute for game time, and I think he'll just be a little fresh for The Original's goal-scoring machines.
"I suppose you have to keep one eye on Adrian Randall, but his toe-poke will be hit and miss.
"Mitchell Adam has been on the improve of late, but that will end tomorrow.
"And our game plan has pretty much ruled out Andrew van Leeuwen being any sort of factor in the match. The pressure of captaining an elite team such as The Annual will be too much for him."
The game kicks off at Oakleigh Indoor Sports, 7pm, tomorrow night.