From the Convenor of Football, Stephen Wilmot
CAS Blitz Weekend
Last weekend all A teams from each age group competed in the first CAS Blitz weekend. This was the first type of trial with all CAS schools putting forward their best 16 for each age group to compete to win the day over 4 games. Waverley went in strong and got promising results for each age group. Year 7As and the 1st XI came out joint winners of the day losing one game each. Each age group were able to analyse players and positions and finalise their structure for the CAS season ahead.
Results for the day for each age group were:
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 | 1st XI | |
| Vs Barker | 3-0 win | 3-0 loss | 0-0 draw | 2-0 loss | 2-1 win |
| Vs Cranbrook | 3-0 win | 0-0 draw | 2-1 loss | 3-0 loss | 0-1 loss |
| Vs Trinity | 1-0 win | 4-2 loss | 4-0 win | 1-1 draw | 1-0 win |
| Vs Knox | 0-1 loss | 5-0 loss | 4-0 loss | 3-1 loss | 1-0 win |
Trial Round vs Riverview
This weekend is our first trial game against St Ignatius’ College with the Opens, Year 10 and Year 7 playing at Queens Park and Year 8 and 9 playing away at Riverview. With this being our first round for most players it is important that each student is representing Waverley with pride. This means wearing the correct playing uniform with the Waverley jersey, shorts and socks and wearing Waverley gear to the game if it is cold. As this is a trial round, players are still able to move teams if they play well. Good luck to all teams playing this weekend in this fixture.
From 1st XI player, Tyler von der Heyden
1st XI CAS Blitz report
The Waverley 1st XI squad of 16 travelled out to Cranbrook to compete in the first ever Football Blitz day composed of four 30 minute games. Although a few of our key players were away on Cadet camp, the lineup was still looking extremely strong and presented a few of the young boys with great opportunities to step up and show off their skills.
George Hatziandreou made an immediate impact on our first game against Barker, with an incredible chip over the keeper to put us up 1-0. A 50/50 challenge resulting in a penalty gave Barker a glimmer of hope late in the game, but a classy volley by Bruno Soares immediately put Waverley back in a commanding position to run away with a 2-1 win. A dominant and enthusiastic start from the boys saw us head into our second game against Cranbrook with great confidence.
Some great ball movement and skill from the front three saw Waverley come ever so close to taking the lead early against Cranbrook, being denied by the woodwork on multiple occasions. With minutes to spare, a well delivered corner from Cranbrook and some miscommunication in our defence saw their first opportunity all game to find the back of the net. After failing to convert some easier opportunities, Waverley slumped to an unfortunate 1-0 defeat after dominating 90% of the game. The loss was extremely frustrating for all the boys but highlighted some of the main things we needed to focus on in the upcoming games – mainly our decision making and finishing.
With the two hardest fixtures ahead (Trinity and Knox) with only a 10-minute break in between, it was going to be a tough afternoon. A positive start against Trinity saw centre back Anthony Madunic place a well-hit shot into the top right corner for his debut goal in the First XI. Waverley worked hard for the rest of the game to keep the Trinity attack out while pressing on, looking for more opportunities, with left back Daniel Priestley and right back Liam Preston making some crucial challenges and whipping in some dangerous crosses. Again, unfortunate not to capitalise on more opportunities, the game finished 1-0 to Waverley.
Facing the undefeated Knox in our final game, a superb effort from the whole squad saw us take away a 1-0 win resulting in the sharing of bragging rights for the day between Waverley and Knox. After dominating in the midfield in all four games, Jack Hardwick-Owen put in an inch perfect pass to George Hatziandreou who was once again good enough to find the back of the net. Some quality communication and strength throughout the defensive line resulted in the last two games finishing with clean sheets and only two goals being conceded over the day.
At the conclusion of a great day of football, the 1st XI squad were able to take away many positives along with lots of constructive criticism. Adapting to the formation and each individual’s role is one of the challenges that each member will face over the coming weeks of preseason before the first round of CAS against St Aloysius in week 1 next term. However, three wins and a very unlucky loss gives us great confidence and momentum going into next week’s trial against Riverview. A massive congratulations to all the boys involved.
