Game 1 v Tathra

(above) Naro was chuffed to have scored the winner...

Roving reporter J Mac has weighed in with today's match report...(with a few sarcastic quotes from Dunko)...

In summary

- We were all a little worried about how may players would turn up given 2 braves had
apparently been admitted to hospital Saturday night (Donnie & Barney) (hoping for a quick recovery)

- Fitness was obviously a concern, moreso given Josh Greens 18th the night before which
left him with low blood pressure & even lower testosterone levels... (he says his testosterone is as high as his hairline thankyou very much- take note girls)

- On paper we had a bare 11 however Michael Keys was coerced into playing & saved the
day by putting his hand up to play Goal Keeper.... he did an outstanding job & must have been
watching Harbhajan Singh's slapping exploits as he palmed away many on target shots. (there have been rumours that he is actually Habhajan Singh's half brother)

- Possession was fairly evenly matched until late in the second half when one McPaul missed
stopping an easy thru ball (I think he may need glasses... may also help his MTB ambitions)
which left the Tathra striker 1 on 1 with Keys.. Keys won that battle fending off a valiant shot by
the Tathra striker. The subsequent corner led to a bit of ball watching by the Braves &
Tathra looped one into the back of the net (no mean feat to get over Mick Keys).

- Shortly after the Braves were awarded a corner & a frustrated red head defender pushed forward
with menace first heading the corner towards goal which was defended by Tathra however he was on
the spot fire the loose ball past the keeper. (put him up front)

- Honourable mentions to newcomers Simon, Al Mitchell, Paddy & Daniel Southam (NAB recruit) who all
played vital roles on the day. (yay for the new boys!)

- 3 things we need to cover off at training - holding possession, marking & accurate passing... (speed, technique, skills, ball control, positional awareness, scoring heaps more goals, challenges, headers, first touch. I would go on, but it's time for bed...)


FYI - The estranged Brave one M Ellwood has dislocated his shoulder on the weekend
playing AFL............. that'll learn him.... (Matty if you read this, I didn't write that, but find it very funny).

All of this, and Foxy's lad auditioning for the Cirque De Soleil on the sidelines!

I'm not staying home next game!

May the excitement continue for the rest of the season!

Go you Braves!

Time to roll!

The Braves were hoping like hell it rained during the wemon's match...

Dunko checked out the results of preseason training...

With a couple of days to go, there's been loads of Braves busily checking bank accounts to pay their fees before the weekend opener against the Tathra Seagull outfit on Sunday. After an abbreviated preseason, the Braves are carrying some summer excesses into the game, but the rumours abound that early season nomination for keenest trainer- Naro- has actually unpacked his expensive exercise bike to impress his missus..
Game is a bit after 1ish (maybe), and the slightly undermanned Braves will be hoping for a decent start- even if they won't have anyone on the bench fresh faced..
At this stage all 11 players have put up their hand to play keeper, citing 11 different reasons why they would be most suited to the role. Stand by for planty of jersey and glove swapping this year.
Of course, the impeccable timing of Crouchy's birthday will only add to the Braves' physical preparation for the game.

Go you Braves!

5 more minutes?

The part most of the boys were looking forward to the most...

but the Braves Cheerleaders were in fine form...

It was the beginning and the end of the Braves Ressies preseason today and they got some numbers together for a practice match among themselves. A pleasant afternoon, even if most of us were knackered after10mins of the first half. Some nice touches going on all afternoon might just mean we're in with a chance of winning some games this year..
Among the goalscorers were Lenno (goalsneak), Joshy Mac, Pez, Donnie, Naro (nearly), Miko (not), Paddy? and Dunko(an own goal).
Big thanks to Beno and Roscoe, very andy players for coming on out for the kick- the few extra's made a difference.
Season starts next week. Dunno who and where we play yet.
Watch this space...
Go the Braves!