Our Proudest moment - The Chairman

 Touchers take their third premiership in a row

 

2012 premiers

Against all odds the OverTouchers continued their domination of the "Over 35's" competition after the toughest night in club history.

Coming into Finals night in 4th place, the players knew that if a three peat was to be achieved then they had to be at their best over the next 60 minutes and win 3 games in a row.

Starting the night with 13 players it was all hands on deck. Knowing that Faz and Kiwi were still carrying injuries, Harro came out of an enforced retirement to be on deck, if his services were required. 

The semi final was played against last weeks opposition, Sodens Warriors. The Touchers started impressively despite the opposition fielding as many under 35s as over 35s. But this time the defending premiers would not be denied. 

A flying Supercoach Bill scored down the far right side and that one try was enough to take the Touchers through to the Final.

Faz ruled himself out of the Final with his leg injury flaring up. "Team comes first" said the loyal clubman.

Koch's team would be the opponents in the Final. The Touchers won their first premiership back in 2010 by beating these guys and they were kept apart in the regular rounds in 2012.

The Touchers went down 1 try to nil early on and the guys just weren't clicking. 

Early on the man from the long white cloud called it a day with his calf injury cutting him down like a shot rhino in deepest darkest Africa....well not that bad really, but the screams of pain sounded like he was. "Thats it for me bro...my leg is a bit hurty ey" Kiwi told the team.

With 3 reserves left it was all hands on deck. Harro was watching and asking himself "is it time?".

The Touchers locked up the game at 1-1 and the clock was ticking fast. Due to scoring first, Koch's mob would go through to the Grand Final if the result was drawn so the Touchers needed some magic and The Chairman delivered.

Firing across the right hand edge, The Chairman dummied and swerved. With a deft pass he found Bulldog firing up alongside. Bulldog drew in two defenders with ease and found the flying Jonty who flew once again like a startled gazelle and scored in the corner

2-1 would be the final score as the premiers wound down the clock and secured a berth in the Grand Final against the men and boys from the high veldt of Africa.

When the Africans chose to start their two players under 35, they stood proud in their understanding of the competition rules.....or lack thereof.

The Touchers let them take the ball first knowing that there was another important finals rule. IF the game if finished nil all at the end of the game, the team who drops the ball first loses the game.

Well in the first set of 6...BOOM, the men from the high veldt dropped the ball. This would become vital as the game progressed.

In the previous encounter just 4 weeks ago, the Touchers game heads were not on as they lost to these guys 5-2. Tonight would be different.

The two teams went at it with vigour and the Touchers were at the top of their game. You expect nothing less from a Champion.

It has long been said 'Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Man'. Well tonight it rung true. With Faz and Kiwi OUT, Harro had seen enough from the sidelines and took the field with speed. He was inspirational and the final piece to the puzzle.

The clock was ticking away when a viscous combination of shoulder charge and trip sent the Locksmith crashing to the ground. The game had reached a plateau of intensity and the bolier was about to burst. 

As his team mates protested the ridiculous attack, the Locksmith laid on the ground not in pain but in anger. Enough was enough as he stood like a colossus and booted the ball into the grandstand and walked off the field.

The air was thick of something...I could smell it. The game did continue but not with much more footy. With the game still locked at 0-0 The Touchers knew they had the upper hand, their opponents didn't.

The siren wailed away into the darkening skies and the game was over.

With the nil all ruling and count back to first dropped pass the Touchers had won their third premiership in a row.

As the dust settled the players reflected on another gruelling season. It was their greatest hour. Yes they had lost some guys through the year but when it counted they all delivered.

An important note was mentioned by the group, in over 60 minutes of footy the touchers only let in 1 try. Supercoach Bill had stated earlier in the day that defence wins game. Off course he would be proven right.

In his victory speech the Chairman was very selective in his words, as a man in his position of power should be.

End of Season awards

The awards were held in the Public Bar of the Terrey Hills tavern and whilst there wasn't 100% attendence the guys who were there had a good time.

After final votes were cast the awards ceremony could begin and The Chairman had the players come to attention.

 

Supercoach Bill - Won the Defensive player of the year award. Truly deserving.

Defensive player of the year

Bob The Builder, with two players player awards in 2012 he was a hot favourite for the most improved award. Bob said in his speech that it was his proudest moment in his 2 year career in touch footy. After winning last years Rookie award, the club's administration feel he is moving in the right direction with his touch footy career. Its important to note that Bob has submitted an early proposition to host the 2013 end of season awards night at THE SHED adjacent to his dwelling in Duffys.

Most Improved

Big Bad Brett was awarded the leading try scorer with a tally of.....well it was heaps.

Leading try scorer

Kiwi was awarded the Rookie of the year award. A prouder man you didnt see last night. His speech was detailed, he didn't care when the music started to play underneath him.  
"I'm in for next year ey Bros...sign me up now"

Rookie of 2012

Harro was inducted as the first Life Member of the OverTouchers. His efforts last night on and off the field were tremendous.

"Look at the camera Harro"

 After a year of troubles there was only one choice for Clubman of the Year - Vice captain.

The speedster fought for team selection and particpation right up to the last minute before kick off every week.

"I can't watch this"

The premiership winners who recieved awards as well were,

Locksmith - Mr Perpetual motion award. The Locksmith took the award for the third year in a row.
Jonty - Mr 100% award for playing in every game of the season and still the one of the best finishers in the game
Bulldog - A sublime player in all aspects. Might improve with age though !!!!
Royce - Silent Death award. You know he is there but geesh you can't him sneak up on you. His efforts this year have surely cemented a position in the 2013 roster.
Faz - The David Grohl soft tissue injury award. Faz has stated he is investing heavily on his off season physio regime
Milt - The Phantom award. Won two years previously by Biggsy !!!!!!!
Sniper - Super sub award
B&D Roller - Rob Quiney award for the best 9 minutes of footy in the penultimate round
The Chairman - The "I am too old for this s#%t" award in protest of playing against GEN Y

In the FINALS Players Player  awards the winners were.

Supercoach Bill in 3rd and the VC in 2nd position despite the controversy plagued season. 

The winner of the Finals & Year players player the of the year BIG BAD BRETT

A proud trio

In wrapping up the final report of season 2012 the schedule for next year has been set. The first game next season will be Touchers V South Africans on a Friday Night at Brookvale oval.

Yours in another great season of playing footy and getting fitter.

FMJ

The trophy