The weather arrived for the final day of the senior and Under 19 season and the triple header. What a great result for the club with all three teams winning for the day on the hallowed turf of Friar Park. The Under 19s kicked off the day with a great win over finals contender Ivanhoe, it has been a challenging year for the boys but as a team they have persisted and never given up the battle. Saturday’s result was a great reward for their efforts and a sign of a very bright future for the boys with many of them still able to play in the Under 19 competition in 2012.
The Ressies sealed the deal the previous week – this was all about maintaining form and momentum. Which they did by comfortably accounting for Peninsula – they now go on to meet Parkdale in the curtain-raiser on Sunday.
Then the elimination final began in what was a great and competitive game of football between two sides whose main objective was the footy. It was a game played in great spirit between and worthy of a final – but there was always going to be a winner and a loser and the Friars were able to hold sway. However Peninsula lost no admirers and in fact gained many for the way they played the game and as a club they should be very proud of their effort after getting away to a slow start to the season. The Friars lead for the whole day but had to withstand a huge push from Peninsula in the last quarter to reign victorious by 14 points and book a place in the First-Semi Final on Sunday against NOBSP at VAFA Headquarters, Elsternwick Park.
The night was then capped off with the celebration of our Life Members including the conferral of the club’s highest honour to John Crough, Greg Feutrill and Peter Ciardulli. All of our life members have contributed enormously to our club over its 25 year history and we look forward being able to celebrate their contributions long into the future.
Seniors
Whitefriars
Goal Kickers: J. O''Meara 3, M. Migliore 2, D. Tibaldi 2, D. Di Bartolomeo 2, J. Daou , A. Woods , D. Hogan , A. Garreffa , R. Mattinson
Best Players: R. Mattinson, G. Power, D. Massarotti, A. Hill, A. Garreffa, J. Scannell
Peninsula
Goal Kickers: J. Coghlan 4, B. Brisbane 2, A. Wood , S. Murray , H. Whitty , J. Heron , H. Nestor
Best Players: S. Grigg, T. Grigg, N. Fisher, S. Payze, T. Barbour, A. Wood
In a tough and tense encounter Whitefriars triumphed over Peninsula to secure a place in the Division 1 finals next week. It was evident from the start that both teams would leave nothing to chance with some great pressure football. The Friars got on top early but it was only some inaccuracy from Peninsula in the first quarter that had the Friars ahead at the first break. However, in the 2nd quarter the Friars set up the victory with a great quarter of football in which the strong tackling and quick ball movement proved to be crucial. Rowan Mattinson was again controlling the ruck contests while Daniel Tibaldi and Alan Garreffa were taking advantage at ground level. By half time Whitefriars led by 22 points but were well aware that Peninsula would challenge again.
The battle was very tight after half time with key defenders, Daniel Massarotti and Andrew Hill holding their opponents well to keep Peninsula at bay despite them starting to control the ball in the midfield. Daniel Kaldor was also making a great contribution in defence by wining one-on-one contests and cleaning up at ground level. For the first time in the game Peninsula kicked consecutive goals late in the quarter and closed the gap to less than 3 goals with the momentum going their way. However, the Friars stuck to the task, and with a couple of crucial centre clearances replied with 2 quick goals to open up a 5 goal lead at the last change. Peninsula once again challenged early in the last quarter and scored the first 3 goals of the quarter to close the gap to within 2 goals to have most of the sizeable crowd chewing their nails. Some courageous efforts from Greg Power and Jarrod Scannell kept Peninsula at bay several times before forcing another forward move which resulted in the lively James O’Meara to slot his 3rd goal and give the Friars a winning lead with 3 minutes to go and head to the finals.
Reserves
Whitefriars
Goal Kickers: A. Baggoley 4, M. Cooper 3, M. Huston 2, D. Fletcher 2, C. Greenland 2, N. Crowe 2, P. Tatterson , C. Taouk
Best Players: J. Kenez, P. Siorovingas, A. Baggoley, M. Cooper, C. Taouk, N. Crowe
Although already assured of a place in next week’s Semi Finals the Friars Reserves produced another very good performance against a spirited opponent. After an even contest in the first quarter Whitefriars played their best footy in the second quarter with the direct route to goal providing for great accuracy and efficiency. Justin Kenez was in control on his wing while Peter Siorovingas was repelling well off half back. In the 2nd half Aiden Baggoley and matt Cooper kept pressing their claim for a place in Senior finals as Whitefriars opened to a 51 point break at the last change. With nothing to play for and nothing to lose, Penisula kept having a real crack in the last quarter and reminded the Friars to keep their mind on the job, as any lapse could be costly as we registered our 11th win of the season.
Under 19s
Whitefriars OC
Goal Kickers: D. Blewonski 2, M. Nitas 2, C. Spencer 2, N. McKeown , D. Chambers , C. Feher
Best Players: D. Blewonski, D. Chambers, C. Spencer, N. McKeown, M. Nitas, D. Loh
Ivanhoe
Goal Kickers: H. Robinson 4, J. Brudenell , D. Craig-Darroch , M. Ioannou
Best Players: H. Robinson, B. Griffith, J. Cinque, M. Ioannou, E. Paynter, J. Benson
Whitefriars had been threatening to take a big scalp and have an impact on the make-up of the finals for the past few weeks, and finally the boys were rewarded with a great win over the 4th placed team, Ivanhoe. A blistering start saw the Friars attack constantly to post 10 scoring shots for the 1st quarter but poor conversion (2.8) kept Ivanhoe well in the match. David Blewonski was again sensational from the start to get the boys going. Then 2nd quarter was an even affair but Ivanhoe had leveled the play in general as the Friars went to the main break with a 19 point lead. The challenge came in the 3rd quarter from Ivanhoe but stiff defence from the Friars limited their impact on the board and on the counter attack the Friars were able to maintain the lead at the last change. Ivanhoe started the last quarter well to get within a goal but clever ball use by Dom Chambers and Michael Nitas kept creating chances and 2 goals for the Friars opened up a handy lead. Calvin Spencer was competing well in the forward line with Nathan McKeown and Damian Loh providing the tough work though the midfield. The final goal to the Friars was answered but the boys had done enough to earn a great 20 point win to finish the season well and suitably reward their coach, Dean Thorn.
Thirds
Old Brighton
Goal Kickers: J. Sest 5, P. Healey 4, M. Burge 4, H. McLennan 3, A. Cann , J. Marks
Best Players: P. Healey, D. Stuchlik, M. Browning, J. Sest, H. McLennan, M. Burge
Whitefriars
Goal Kickers: M. Pelosi 3, N. Elliott , C. Akers , J. Urbano
Best Players: L. Maher, J. Parkes, M. Pelosi, O. Scannell, D. Moody, J. Urbano
A sunny day by the beach seemed appealing for our Thirds, however it was not a picnic for the Friars as Old Brighton dominated for most of the day to run away with a 70 point win. The promising result from the Friars was the form of Owen Scannell, John Parkes and Luke Maher who will be pushing for a return to the Reserves for finals. Others to come under notice will be Joe Urbano and Matt Pelosi who have struck some good form in the last couple of weeks.
Last Modified on 02/04/2013 10:11
