Right from the first training session the 16Ds set the tone for the season. There were several new players coming into the team, but a great spirit was evident from day one. Unfortunately like all teams, our preparation was disrupted by COVID, but once things cleared we got back to training with much excitement and energy.

Some combinations on the field took a while to click and some of our results in the first few games didn’t reflect our ability. However, we ended the first set of games with a thrilling 4-1 win against eventual premiers Miranda. The goals that day combined determination with some individual brilliance, while the defence worked as a unit to snuff out any threats from the opposition.

This game set us on a mid-season run of five games undefeated before meeting Miranda again. This time they got the better of us, turning in a great defensive performance that we struggled to break down. But we had our best performance of the season still to come, with a 6-0 win over Menai in the second last round. On that day all the things we worked on through the season came together and the full potential of this team were on show.

A slow start and the occasional drop in form cost us in the final reckoning, but that’s football. With almost 3 goals a game on average we were never less than entertaining to watch. Overall, the team showed a real lift in footballing intelligence and teamwork – there’s more to come from these boys in the future!

Toby  – every team needs to be solid at the back and Toby was Mr Consistency in goal. With greater confidence in coming off the line through the season, many an opposition striker went away frustrated.

Blake – often the leader at the heart of defence, Blake also popped up for a goal or two, mostly from outside the box.

Ethan – equally solid at either left or right back, Ethan is the quiet achiever in the back line – a defender who doesn’t panic and just gets on with the job.

Ryan – a rapid improver in the team, it was great to see Ryan’s confidence grow. Any player that beat him once usually had to do it again as Ryan chased him down and put him under pressure.

Riley C – playing at full back for most of the season, a move into centre of defence in the last few games brought the best out of Riley. A great reader of the game, he was always in the right position already. A solid boot could clear the danger and turn defence into attack rapidly.

Riley B – it’s fair to say there’s more to come from Riley. A stint in goal was followed by a couple of solid defensive performances. But injuries kept him out of the blue and white more than he played. A great team man, he was often on the bench anyway to support.

Arnav – the special ops man of the team. Arnav picked up a number of defensive roles, with some of his best performances in shutting down the danger men of the opposing forward line. Never gives up on a loose ball and one of the best at the clearing defensive header.

Tim – with a move outfield, Tim found his home as a link man between defence and attack. On the wing in midfield, he was able to feed the ball neatly through to team mates and really developed in this role through the year. A leader on the field with a good eye for the game.

Matt – the energizer bunny who covered more ground than just about anybody. Matt was adept at nipping the ball off an opposition boot and disappearing in the other direction. More than one goal this year came from a powerful ball into the box from Matt’s boot.

Brayden – played mostly as a defensive midfielder, Brayden can also slot into almost any other position and turn in a solid performance. When we needed to go to Plan B, this versatility was enormously useful. A strong presence on the field and hard for opposition players to beat.

Owen – very rare was the occasion when Owen wasn’t first to the ball. As an attacking midfielder he has a great step around a tackle that often put him in the clear and created goal scoring opportunities for the strikers.

Ronan – sitting in behind the forwards, Ronan has a good line in quick through balls to beat the defensive line. Over the season his tackling also got stronger and a poacher’s instinct saw him pick up a couple of goals at important times.

Joel – slotting in as a winger or an attacking midfielder, Joel has a quiet determination to perform. No cause was ever lost while Joel was on the field, and every ball was worth chasing. That energy is contagious and often lifted the team when it was most needed.

Brad – the sort of player who would run through walls to get an edge for the team. It’s great to see how his game improves every season. Often involved in some of the best passing moves and able to beat players in the corner to get the cross in.

Jadyn – the star striker of the team, Jadyn picked up three hat tricks through the season. With plenty of pace and a good step, many defenders were left trailing in his wake. Always smiling and super-competitive.

Corey – from the left wing, Corey was ever reliable on the field. Scored the opening goal in the key win over Miranda, when he powered through the defence with amazing determination.

Kale – another player with spectacular acceleration, Kale chased down balls that other wouldn’t get to. His delivery improved as the season went on, and although he missed some games through the year, he made an important contribution, especially in the 6-0 win over Menai.