Round 7: Melbourne Royals Vs Croydon Stars

The Royals travelled out to Endeavour Hills for the early morning Sunday match to take on the Croydon Stars for the second time this year. The Royals have defeated every team in division two this far, and were looking to stay on the same track. The last time the Royals and the Stars met, the Royals got off to a slow start in the first half, but came back strong with a huge offensive movement and solid defence to win the game 36-12.

The game started in a similar fashion to the first meeting against the Stars. The offense struggled to get moving, despite the defence turning the ball over on a fumble forced by Donal Stott and recovered by linebacker Andrew Rowse. Wet and windy conditions con-tinued to plague each team. Recent rain had left the ground wet and strong winds affected the passing game. The offense were forced to punt very close to their own end zone and a wind affected high snap went over punter Ahmed Arayne’s head, dropping into the end zone. The Royals were forced to recover the ball and despite a last minute attempt to kick the ball away, were tackled in the end zone for a safety. The Stars defence taking the lead early on, Royals trailing 0-2.

The Royals punted the ball back to the Stars defence, but a strong Royals defence, de-spite being low on players, managed to prevent any significant movement from the Stars offense and their new quarterback Richard Garraway. The Royals defence also turning the ball over again, this time strong safety turned linebacker Michael van Gessel took advan-tage of a slow falling running back, stripping the ball and managing to land on the fumble. The Royals offense continued to find it hard to move the ball with the high winds and a Stars defence focusing on the run, with running back Frank Matue again taking the lion’s share of the handoffs.

Finally, the Royals managed to move down the field with a few short completions in the passing game and Frank Matue managing to break away for a big 24-yard run down the sideline for a touchdown. Quarterback Blair Black then hitting receiver Darcy Muller on a quick pass for the two points. The Royals took the lead 8-2. The Stars offence returned, but were stopped on a deep pass that was picked off by free safety Ben Ly. The Stars would make one last big play before the end of the half, making their way into the red zone with time dying. A short slant was well thrown by the Stars quarterback, but an easy catch was dropped in the end zone by the Stars receiver. Time died out with coverage by corners Max Smith and Derrick Tugiono too strong.

After a strong performance against the division-one Western Crusaders the week before, the Royals were disappointed with their performance in the first half, mainly kept alive by the amount of turnovers caused by the defence. The offence tried to rally in the second half and completed some more passes, with a massive 45-yard pass from QB Blair Black hitting speedy receiver Chris Tuohy, who managed to run the ball into the red zone. The Royals were unable to score on the big drive however, the Stars defence standing strong. The ball was quickly given back to the offense as cornerback Lionel Ong picked quar-terback Richard Garraway off. The Royals continued to fight in the fourth quarter, again keeping the ball on the ground to keep in the lead and in adjustment to the conditions. Royals defensive end Aaron Mapstone stepping in for an injured Donal Stott would be next to turn the ball over, recovering a fumble in the fourth quarter.

The Royals offense returned, and finally took some pressure off the game, Frank Matue working his way down the field amongst some passing completions. Matue would finally put the ball in the end zone off a short four yard run, the Royals missed the two points, but were comfortably in the lead in the fourth quarter with limited time, 14-2. The Stars attempted to get moving down the field again, but with offensive lineman Larny Pasene stepping into defensive tackle with assistance from nose tackle Filipo Muliaga, the game would come to an end.

The Royals finished the game winning 14-2, their fifth consecutive win and remaining undefeated within division-two. The Royals were disappointed with a lower score than in-tended despite missing players, and will certainly need to iron out any mistakes going into round 8, as they take on the division-one Berwick Miners. The Miners are at the bottom of the division-one ladder however no division-two team has being able to beat them, nor get particularly close in 2012. The Royals will return to the Miners home ground this Sunday at 1.30pm, Endeavour Hills to take on the Miners and their tough brand of football.

NFL Comparisons

This week, Royals Newsletter looks at the players on the Royals, and which player they are most like in the NFL. This week, we decided to look at the biggest playmakers on any team, the quarterback and his receivers.

Quarterback: Blair Black – Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles.Star quarterback Blair Black had to be compared to the speedy and elusive Michael Vick. Black shows the same qualities as the Eagles QB (without the shady history), as his big arm and fast, accurate passes are always trouble for the opposing secondary. On top of this, like Michael Vick, Blair Black has the ability to turn any play where the secondary think they may have locked down the pass, or over committed, into a big running play out of the pocket.

Wide Receiver: Adam Watson – Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions.Edition 3 of the Royals Newsletter featured receiver Adam Watson on the cover, with the title Megatron after one of the leagues top pass catchers, Calvin Johnson. Like Johnson, Wat-son has great physical ability; a great combination of speed, agility and height. Watson can be seen making amazing catches, and like Johnson even took a massive end zone catch in round 6 against the Crusaders, despite 3 defenders around him.

Wide Receiver: Chris Tuohy – Randy Moss, San Francisco 49ers.We all know that deep threat receiver Chris Tuohy would like his comparison to be with the all-time great Jerry Rice, but he’s going to have to prove to the league for a little while longer that he’s worthy of that recognition! In the mean time, Tuohy is reminiscent of Randy Moss (in his good days), Tuohy is able to “take the ball deep, take the top of the defence” in the words of Randy Moss. Any secondary will have to watch this super quick receiver as he tries to break free down the sidelines and go for a big catch.

Wide Receiver: Darcy Muller – Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers.Although Hines Ward has finished up his NFL career in 2012, Muller had to be compared to the Steelers receiver for his big blocking ability. Muller, like Ward runs tight routes and is always a favourite target of his quarterback. However, what makes him more interesting is his violent blocking ability on any run play. Muller frequently levelled opposing cornerbacks in 2011, and continues to be a blocking force in 2012 as well as a great receiver. Check out the Royals highlights 2011 if you don’t believe us!

Wide Receiver: Bill Chislett – Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears. Receiver Bill Chislett has been quiet in 2012 after fracturing a finger early in the season. The receiver though shares similar physical attributes to the Bears wide out, often using his tall stature to make plays over smaller defenders. Chislett has also gained weight coming into the 2012 season, making him a more physical threat, both in catching passes and delivering blocks down the field on run plays. The tail end of the 2012 season should see Chislett step-ping up as he stays injury free to make big plays like the now-Bears receiver.

Wide Receiver: Ahmed Arayne – Brandon Banks, Washington Redskins.Ex-quarterback Ahmed Arayne has become a receiver this year, and as one of, if not the lightest players on the team can be compared to wide receiver and kick returner Brandon Banks. Both players are used in the passing game, as well as returning kicks due to their speed on the field. Arayne nearly broke free on a big kick return in the opening of round seven against the stars, and his speed is sure to create some problems for opposing spe-cial teams like Banks.

Around the league

OFF THE FIELD with jeremy edwards

Food

Ossobuco

Movie: Goodfellas

TV Show:The Sopranos, The Wire

close second.

MUSICKanye West

ACTORRobert De Niro

Heard about royalsOriginally emailed the Warriors

after hearing there was a Victo-

rian league, Jeffrey Luk emailed

me about a new team in Parkville

and came down.

50aDAM

donohueMelbourne VIC

1 year

177 CMS

102 KGS

All matches were played on the Sunday for round seven, starting with the Monash Barbarians taking on the Northern Raiders. The Raiders went into the game as favourites but an up and coming Barbarians team, hungry for a win were able to knock off the 2011 champs. The Raiders offence was unable to get into the end zone, with their only score off a safety. The Barbarians were able to put two scores on the board and win the game 12-2, registering their first win of the season.

The afternoon game in Footscray saw the Western Crusad-ers host the Monash Warriors. Another upset occurred, with the undefeated Warriors going down to a strong Crusad-ers side, who was able to come back from behind, their defence letting no more scores on the board and offense proving too strong for the Warriors. The Crusaders took home the win and put themselves on top of the division-one ladder, 24-8.

After the Royals Vs Stars game, the hosting Berwick Miners played the runner ups of last year, the Croydon Rangers. The Rangers proved to be strong despite the Miners putting two scores on the board, winning away 46-12.

Special ThanksSpecial thanks to Barend van den Hoek who supplied the ac-tion shots used this week. He takes fantastic photos and we encourage you to check them all out, including more from the Roy-als Vs Barbarians game at www.barendphotos.photomer-chant.net

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Contributors

Writer//Editor Jeremy Edwards

Photographers Luke Markof

Barend van den Hoek

jenny watson

Designer Ahmed Arayne