did this as a way of covering up their own mistakes.
Specky went back to take his free kick. He was positioned in the same place as he had been the week before, when he had missed his chance of getting the winning six points. But this time there was no room for mistakes. Specky punted the ball directly through the middle of the big sticks.
For the rest of the first quarter and for the rest of the game, Specky’s team trampled all over the opposition, Tremont High Tigers. Their ball handling and team skills were simply far superior.
As for Specky, he was on fire. He was playing the game of his life. He had already kicked an incredible nine goals and there were still ten minutes remaining in the last quarter. Tremont High did everything they could to stop him. They even resorted to playing dirty, keeping in line with their reputation. They tried to trip, punch andinjure Specky in any way they could. But Specky was too nimble and agile for them all. He ducked, twisted and turned, avoiding all their dirty tactics. None of them could lay a hand on him.
It was times like this that he was thankful Coach Pappas had introduced skipping rope as part of their training. At first the boys complained that skipping was for sissies, but Specky soon realised that it really helped him with his fitness and kept him light on his feet during the game. He skipped for 10 minutes before and after training.
Specky glanced over towards the boundary line. He quickly looked for his dad—but there was no sign of him.
‘Specky!’ It was Danny signalling that the ball was on its way. He had just kicked it towards Specky. Once again, Specky made a remarkable dash for it. He then athletically leaped for the ball like some World Cup soccer goalie, grabbing it securely with the tips of his fingers then sliding across the damp grass on his stomach. Specky had successfully taken another mark.
He then got up, casually pulled up his socks, flipped the ball in his hands a couple of times then lined up his kick.
Former Western Bulldogs legend, Chris Grant, had once come to Specky’s school and conducted a football clinic, and had spoken about the importance of having a set routine when kicking for goal. You need to know exactly where the man on the mark will stand and how many paces you will take before you kick; the importance of keeping the ball still in your hands and over your kicking leg leading up to the kick; and the need to drop the ball straight onto your boot and finish with a strong follow-through. Specky also liked to pick out a target directly behind the goals, like a tree or a lamppost, to aim at. It sounded like a lot to remember at the time, but Specky had practised for hours each night, and now he was able to go through his routine without even thinking about it.
Before making contact with the ball, Specky took one last look over towards the boundary line. He wished his dad were there to see this at least.
But he wasn’t. Specky took his kick, and booted his tenth goal for the game—a personal record. The umpire blew his whistle and the game was over. Specky’s team-mates rushed to his side to congratulate him on his sensational performance, and to celebrate their convincing win.
8 MORE IMPORTANT?
Specky and his team-mates headed towards the parents and Coach Pappas. The portable barbecues were already set up. Mr Roberts and Mr Castellino were turning the sizzling sausages and hamburgers. Specky scanned the crowd, hoping to see his father, but he still hadn’t arrived.
Once everyone had eaten, Coach Pappas got up to make an announcement.
‘Welcome, everyone!’ he began. ‘It’s great to see such a huge turnout. The boys should be happy that they have you supporting them. As you saw today, we have a great team this year, and I think we can go all the way.’
There was spontaneous applause and a cheer from everybody. Coach Pappas continued.
‘Every year I have a tradition where I get each boy and one of his parents to
Specky went back to take his free kick. He was positioned in the same place as he had been the week before, when he had missed his chance of getting the winning six points. But this time there was no room for mistakes. Specky punted the ball directly through the middle of the big sticks.
For the rest of the first quarter and for the rest of the game, Specky’s team trampled all over the opposition, Tremont High Tigers. Their ball handling and team skills were simply far superior.
As for Specky, he was on fire. He was playing the game of his life. He had already kicked an incredible nine goals and there were still ten minutes remaining in the last quarter. Tremont High did everything they could to stop him. They even resorted to playing dirty, keeping in line with their reputation. They tried to trip, punch andinjure Specky in any way they could. But Specky was too nimble and agile for them all. He ducked, twisted and turned, avoiding all their dirty tactics. None of them could lay a hand on him.
It was times like this that he was thankful Coach Pappas had introduced skipping rope as part of their training. At first the boys complained that skipping was for sissies, but Specky soon realised that it really helped him with his fitness and kept him light on his feet during the game. He skipped for 10 minutes before and after training.
Specky glanced over towards the boundary line. He quickly looked for his dad—but there was no sign of him.
‘Specky!’ It was Danny signalling that the ball was on its way. He had just kicked it towards Specky. Once again, Specky made a remarkable dash for it. He then athletically leaped for the ball like some World Cup soccer goalie, grabbing it securely with the tips of his fingers then sliding across the damp grass on his stomach. Specky had successfully taken another mark.
He then got up, casually pulled up his socks, flipped the ball in his hands a couple of times then lined up his kick.
Former Western Bulldogs legend, Chris Grant, had once come to Specky’s school and conducted a football clinic, and had spoken about the importance of having a set routine when kicking for goal. You need to know exactly where the man on the mark will stand and how many paces you will take before you kick; the importance of keeping the ball still in your hands and over your kicking leg leading up to the kick; and the need to drop the ball straight onto your boot and finish with a strong follow-through. Specky also liked to pick out a target directly behind the goals, like a tree or a lamppost, to aim at. It sounded like a lot to remember at the time, but Specky had practised for hours each night, and now he was able to go through his routine without even thinking about it.
Before making contact with the ball, Specky took one last look over towards the boundary line. He wished his dad were there to see this at least.
But he wasn’t. Specky took his kick, and booted his tenth goal for the game—a personal record. The umpire blew his whistle and the game was over. Specky’s team-mates rushed to his side to congratulate him on his sensational performance, and to celebrate their convincing win.
8 MORE IMPORTANT?
Specky and his team-mates headed towards the parents and Coach Pappas. The portable barbecues were already set up. Mr Roberts and Mr Castellino were turning the sizzling sausages and hamburgers. Specky scanned the crowd, hoping to see his father, but he still hadn’t arrived.
Once everyone had eaten, Coach Pappas got up to make an announcement.
‘Welcome, everyone!’ he began. ‘It’s great to see such a huge turnout. The boys should be happy that they have you supporting them. As you saw today, we have a great team this year, and I think we can go all the way.’
There was spontaneous applause and a cheer from everybody. Coach Pappas continued.
‘Every year I have a tradition where I get each boy and one of his parents to
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