Round 1 saw USC Lion away to Monarchs at Grange Oval in a Derby Game to start the Season.
Lion with many new faces in the A Grade were looking to start the season with a win. The game started and Lion pushed the ball around really well with great movement on and off the ball. What can I say the first 30 minutes was awesome to watch as the players did what the Coach asked and Lion took control of the match and was 7 – Nil before we knew it with goals from Magnus, Jake and Jack. Monarchs was awarded a soft Penalty which resulted in Andre being sent of and Monarchs missed the penalty and Lion finished the 1st Half of strongly and went into the break 10 – Nil up. I asked the players at half time not to drop of the intensity and keep playing like we talked about even with 10 men. The 2nd Half started and Lion continued to pass and move the ball around and created many chances. Monarchs scored a couple of goals in the second half with 2 well taken goals due to a couple of errors by Lion players not sticking to the game plan. In the end Lion ran out 17 – 2 winners and a great way to start the season with some top draw finishes and all players playing well. Goal scorers was Magnus with 8 Goals, Jack with 5 and Jake with 4 and David with 1 but on the team sheet the referee awarded 4 goals to both Jake and Jack and also awarded David’s goal to Andre but he was sent off. Anyway great start to the Year and puts Lion on Top after the 1st Game can we keep top spot now we are there boys?