Seniors
The faithful convened at the picturesque Junction Oval with high hopes. Brade Seccull was a late withdrawal with Jarrod McLauchlan his replacement in the selected side. There were certainly many new faces and the player list in the record was constantly in use.
The home side got off to a good start kicking the first two goals of the game. The boys appeared to be on the backfoot as practice match form became irrelevant. Four points up for grabs and the intensity increases. Nashy looked lively however and Corey Millard began to get some touches as we began to settle and reign in the now 15 points deficit. Their midfield was running well and they were very keen to switch and use the wide open spaces. They had some height in their backline and debutante Josh Alkemade looked to have his hands full. The game was being played between the half back but when Lachlan Nash finally got us on the board, the players and supporters relaxed a bit more. Another goal from Raff and we were back on par.
It was a really even contest and fitness levels were going to be tested in the mild conditions. We were now kicking to the scoreboard end which was probably favored by a 1- 2 goal zephyr. The defence was getting on top with OMs only kicking one goal for the quarter. Al Johnston and Corey Millard got our goals for the quarter. Both sides were finding it hard to get the ball through the major uprights. We went in with a five point advantage and through my one eye seemed to be getting on top.
The third quarter started like the first, with OMs getting the early goals. We were finding it hard to get clean possessions and suitable run. But when it did happen, we looked pretty good. The deficit got out to 22 points and the game looked like it was slipping away. But the boys rallied with goals to Daniel Harrison (after a fine one handed mark) and new boy Tim Lockwood. And there were opportunities to really tighten things up but they went missing.
We went into the last quarter 13 points in arrears which was far from impassable. The first goal was going to be important and while it took a long time coming with another new boy – Johnny Nicolopoulos kicking his first for the club. OMs soon answered and Mary’s clock was slowing ticking by. But the team was rallying. Al Johnston had been moved to defence and appeared to be everywhere, quite often taking some cheeky bounces. Corey Millard was at the end of some good movement but found himself in the pocket, on the wrong side for a left footer. Class prevailed however and the goal umpire raised two thumbs. Backs to the wall sort of footy now. There was probably still 7-8 minutes of play and while we had our chances, we were not able to get the required majors.
While a disappointing result, there were some real positives. Josh Alkemade showed maturity beyond his years at full back against some larger opponents. The new boys showed more than enough to suggest they will enhance the side, especially once they get a few games under their belts. We are still a young side (I reckon the average age would be 21) so there is plenty for the coaching personnel to work with.
|
|
|
Q1
|
|
|
Q2
|
|
|
Q3
|
|
|
Old Melburnians
|
3
|
4
|
22
|
4
|
8
|
32
|
10
|
11
|
71
|
11
|
14
|
80
|
Old Haileybury
|
3
|
3
|
21
|
5
|
7
|
37
|
8
|
10
|
58
|
10
|
12
|
72
|
Goal Kickers: D. Harrison 2, C. Millard 2, T. Lockwood , B. White , J. Nicolopoulos , A. Johnston , A. Schofield , L. Nash
Best Players: J. Alkemade, B. White, A. Johnston, N. Gooda, J. Rafferty, L. Nash
Reserves
After some very encouraging practice match form Brock’s crew went down to a pretty impressive home team. We probably got ahead of ourselves with a good side on paper but of course that doesn’t count for much. OMs got out of the blocks very early and we were never really able to get back into the game. There was more fight in the last quarter in what can best be described as a serious reality check. Ed Limon was good all day while Richard Mathers kicked a couple despite limited opportunities.
OMs 21.13 def Old Haileyburians 4.5 29 (full scores unavailable at time of press)
Goal Kickers: R. Mathers 2, J. Bayard , M. Quiambao
Best Players: E. Limon, S. Langford-Jones, D. Newby, M. Quiambao, J. Spanos, R. McMurray
U/19s
What a great start to the season for the U/19s. Away to Werribee with a9.20amstart is not the most ideal first game. And it didn’t look good because we were three goals down before passports were presented and it was four goals to one at quarter time. But then the boys rallied to kick eight goals to two in the middle stanzas. There was plenty of run from the backline and no hesitation in switching – a real sign of confidence in oneself and team mates. Sam Hall was great in the ruck, Steven Kenworthy was getting plenty of the while while the Latin terriers, Pinot and Seccatore were literally everywhere.
So it had been a complete transformation, but the opposition were not completely done. They kicked the first two goals of the last quarter and all of a sudden my nails were being nibbled again. But once the boys settled with goals from Matt Mitchell and Pinot, the game seemed safe. James Paul kicked the sealer to secure a memorable victory.
The song was being sung before noon on the first game of the year – footy is a great game!
Werribee Districts
|
4
|
1
|
25
|
5
|
3
|
33
|
6
|
3
|
39
|
8
|
6
|
54
|
Old Haileybury
|
1
|
3
|
9
|
5
|
6
|
36
|
9
|
12
|
66
|
13
|
14
|
92
|
Goal Kickers: M. Mitchell 3, L. Pinot 3, S. KENWORTHY 2, J. Paul 2, C. Smith , D. Secatore , J. Spasevski
Best Players: S. Hall, C. Smith, L. Pinot, S. KENWORTHY, M. Shill, A. Budge
Last Modified on 17/02/2013 22:23