Ashy Redbacks U14 Match Report – The Mighty Battle vs Kew Comets!

What a clash! From the first bounce, both clubs were out there like caffeinated kids – jumping into contests, tackling like pros, and kicking like their boots were on fire. Kew may have opened the scoreboard, but Ashy wasn’t here for a picnic.

Wags came out with defensive pressure hotter than a meat pie in July, while the midfield trio (Hamish, Dicko, and McBride) was chef’s kiss – dominant and slick. Lucas flew down the right wing, won a cracking contact, and flicked it to Nico, who nearly gave us the season's highlight. Then, Nico — with the precision of a ninja — tackled, intercepted, and slotted a silky pass to Harvey. Harvey finds Chappy, who gave it everything but kissed the post like it was Valentine’s Day.

Kew breaking tackles and kicking goals got three majors in a row. But Ashy bounced back. Chappy scraps at the ruck, Timmy delivers a smooth soccer-style flick to Cooper, and BAM! First major for Ashy. The crowd goes wild! (Okay, mostly the parents, but still.)

Just before the siren, Kew sneaks in another cheeky major to lead 26–7 at quarter time. 

But wait! The second quarter starts, and Hammer channels his inner Ablett Jr, sending a flying pass to SOS, only for it to rebound for a rushed behind from the left side. Quick hands from Kew confuse everyone (including their own coach) but result in another major.

Still, Hammer and DC were linking up like peanut butter and jelly in midfield – delicious and unstoppable. Wags turned full beast mode in defense, smacking a sure major into a rushed behind. Legend.

Zach Hilton, Charlie Tuddy, and Flynn turn it up, and BOOM –  a major for Ashy.  Kew 51 vs 20 Ashy. Henry Smyth literally tackled 3 players in a row – someone give that kid a cape! But Kew slipped through again with number 2 pulling a Houdini and hitting the scoreboard. Half-time scoreboard at 58-20 doesn't reflect the Ashy lion spirit and context.

3rd quarter starts with Tate stepping up to shut down Kew #1 with the grit that’d make your grandma proud. Lucas runs more kms than a marathoner, but number 2 from Kew opens the field again. Jake Davies and Oscar Smyth bring the fight on the wing, and it’s Chappy again, banging one through for 6!

Ashy’s 3rd quarter? Fire. Wags denies another major like a bouncer at a nightclub. Josh Bolton goes full fortress, blocking not one, but TWO majors like Gandalf yelling “You shall not pass!”

Conor and Oscar – our U13 wonderkids – were spicy additions to the offense. Tate was clearing like a vacuum cleaner in the midfield, and fullback Charlie Tuddy said nope to a last-minute major just before the siren.

Harvey and Henry Smyth? Speed demons in the 4th quarter. Won the ball with pure hustle. DC and Charlie McBride put the squeeze on in midfield like a python in boots. Nico, Tate and Dicko turn up in the 4th, popping up everywhere like a glitch in the matrix.

Sam Judd (Head of Strategy), assisted by Silk and Goodie, set up the team for 10 minutes of pure chaos, until Kew finally breaks through. But not to be outdone, Tate and Dicko cleared the centre like a couple of AFL veterans, sending it to Hamish for a smooth major. 

Ashy fought like warriors, ran hard, tackled harder, and played with more heart than Mel Gibson in Braveheart. The final score was Kew 84 vs. 34 Ashy. 

Finally, the coach screamed in the lockroom -  "come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FUN! See you soon" 

Final thoughts? Redbacks played like champs. Heads high. Lion Spirits are higher. And Thomas Reed still owes the post a drink with a nice butter chicken.