BOO and The Oracle had just returned from the last Round match in Werribee to arrive at what would be at the first official home game at the new abode at Princes Park. BOO was unable to attend the first lunch as he was manning the mobile respirators at McKinnon where Floyd’s Flock (we are clearly looking now for another collective noun for 3rds footballers – perhaps a ‘soirée of socials’?) were experiencing their first win of the year. In the Magoos Brocky’s boys faced a really spirited challenge early on from The Parkdale Vultures, but with the likes of Jaz, Ed, Schoey, Smithy, Mitch and Andy all in full flight the result was in some ways was quite inevitable. Two games, two wins!
President Hyxy gathered the Throng for the first official lunch of the year. Doyens from the past were in attendance as well as a raft of new families and faces. Key supporter of the club – Julia from Astoria Honda had driven up and strategically parked a new red Honda Civic- The Oracle spent most of the day conjuring up ways he could drive it home! Sue and kitchen girls prepared a terrific feed and soon it was match time.
The Parkdale Vultures were in a neutral strip due to potential jumper clashes and it was game on right from the first bounce. The visitors goaled within the first 15 seconds and while they were kicking with the wind BOO and the Oracle waxed lyrical about Vygotsky’s Activity Theory which in football terms means perhaps we need a man behind the ball! The Bloods settled into the pace and Trav centred a ball from the boundary and found Micky Meahan, who kicked the first ever official home ground goal at the southern end. All players from both sides were under pressure and Benny White, back in the team, Timmy W and J Rafferty were all prominent. Stowie was showing his usual fearless approach on the ball and once again he appeared to have upset the oppo. Goal sneak Poppa snared our second and Nashy, who was showing enormous commitment towards the ball kicked an absolute blinder into the wind from the boundary line. Jimmy, Collo and Timmy Lockwood were all getting plenty of the ball and the quarter time siren saw the Bloods lead 3.3 to 1.4
If the second quarter tape went missing the Oracle doubts many would spend much time looking for it. Turnovers, spilt marks and handling errors were bountiful. Alfie, Alkers and Weeksey were standing firm and just as well. Our mistakes saw the Vultures goal but Poppa finally score our 4th and Nashy got our 5th. Both goals were set up by some accurate, shrewd passing from Tommy L. The coffee van man was doing a great trade as most of the play was bottled up the quarter long bout of ball ups was just about to start. Half time saw the scoreboard at 5.5 to 4.1. The visitors had kicked 3 for the quarter and former Chelsea danger man, Lewis was causing the Bloods plenty of headaches.
The coach gave the team a good old fashioned spray at the main break and the subsequent 20 minutes saw some of the toughest exchanges you would ever see in suburban footy. The Bloods were relentless- Benny White had his head surgically removed on several occasions, while Secc played a major role in galvanising the troops when the going got tough. Alfie ensured he will never be of any visiting team’s Christmas card list and Alkers was growing in stature and confidence with every surge from the Vultures. BOO reckon there was 100 balls ups during the quarter. The Oracle told him to stop exaggerating – there were 150! Finally the pack footy dissipated and with Adam ‘The General’ Weeks playing another blinder, the backs finally pushed the ball forward, Nashy got the ball to Trav and her converted and Collo strode down the clubhouse wing to bomb in a long goal. Gledders was rock solid around the ball and the bell went to final stanza at 7.9 to 4.8 lead. BOO reckoned we had weathered the storm and his prediction would prove correct.
The final quarter saw the Bloods break free and link some terrific pieces of play. Lockwood was showing some great poise and accuracy with his foot skills and he found Mickey Meahan on the lead to score a terrific goal. Club cult figure, Stowie took mark of the year, followed by play-on of the year to finally score goal of the year! It will be talked about for weeks to come! Trav got our next when he turned his opponent inside out. Trav got a free to get our next and Micky got another one. The Oracle was starting to get thirsty and was terribly nervous about Bloods backroom genius, Southa debuting behind the bar and that nervous anxiety meant that much of the last 5 minutes were unrecorded as ice and cold beer became the key priorities. The bell went and the Bloods had won 91 to 39. The second week in a row where the boys had restricted the oppo to less than 40 points. Coach Secc congratulated the team on their improved second half and reiterated that there is still much for us to improve on. Jimmy Paul had a terrific game, as did Alfie, Jarrod Raff and Weeksey! We meet St Kevins next week. And after they received a 73 towelling at the hands of Brighton, it looms a ‘must win’ game for both sides. Action will be at Elsternwick Park.
The Throng descended into our new clubrooms, which by the way are bloody fantastic. The Oracle even had one of the umpires say our new facility is the very best in the comp. It does feel very new and most of us are still coming to grips with the concept of clean toilets at the footy, smart décor and the whole experience of it ‘being ours’. Anyway, Southa overcame his barman fears and we all enjoyed another terrific day in “Bloodslands”. – Hyxy is looking for a new name for Princes Park so start thinking!
The Astoria Honda Best Player Award went to Alex Woltering who wins an Astoria polo.
Old Haileybury
Goal Kickers: M. Meehan 4, T. Ridgway 3, J. Nicolopoulos 2, L. Nash 2, M. Collins , M. Stowe
Best Players: A. Woltering, L. Nash, A. Weekes, J. Rafferty, M. Collins, J. Paul
The Reserves had a battle on their hands in the first half but were able to shrug off a determined Parkdale outfit in the second half. The windy conditions didn’t prevent a strong and polished performance from the boys. There are plenty of lads here who are going to be playing Senior football at some stage during the year which exemplifies the depth at the club.
Jazz played well again, winning his ruck contests but also taking a number of strong marks around the ground. He was the worthy winner of the Mexico City Best Player Award. Ed Limon once again dictated terms in the midfield while Rorey James or the “Duck” bagged five majors. The back half are teaming really well, led by Ferg who was great across half back.
Old Haileybury
Goal Kickers: R. James 5, E. Limon 3, B. Gillen 3, M. Mitchell 2, A. Mathers , C. Ferguson
Best Players: J. McLauchlan, E. Limon, C. Ferguson, R. James, B. Gillen, N. Leonidas
The Thirds or Floydy’s Flock made it three wins for the Magenta and Black with a solid win over Parkdale at the Badlands. The cockroach was instrumental in getting the boys across the line, ably assisted by BLJ and SLJ, while the Gauch never stopped racking up possessions. The song was sung with gusto led by one James Bell, the man with the voice. The Main St Café Best Player award went to Hamish McWilliam.
Old Haileybury
Goal Kickers: L. Siapantas 2, A. Floyd 2, T. Tyrell , L. Skelton , L. Floyd , H. McWilliam , S. Langford-Jones , A. Vitolins Best Players: H. McWilliam, L. Skelton, T. Tyrell, Q. Boan, C. Dowling
The U/19s went down to Old Geelong but again there were some promising signs. They hung in there really well and indeed clearly won the last quarter. The Truck got amongst the goal kickers again, bagging four from CHF and indeed could have made it five having missed one after the siren. Reidy and Ben Traeger- Haig were again amongst the best while the Main St Café Best Player award went to Dimitri Siapkas.
| TEAM | 1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
|---|
| Old Haileybury |
1 |
0 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
13 |
4 |
3 |
27 |
8 |
5 |
53 |
| Old Geelong |
4 |
7 |
31 |
9 |
14 |
68 |
13 |
20 |
98 |
17 |
26 |
128 |
Old Haileybury
Goal Kickers: S. Kenworthy 4, J. Faris 2, D. Secatore , D. Siapkas Best Players: D. Secatore, S. Kenworthy, B. Traeger-Haig, D. Siapkas, H. Melville, M. McKinna
Last Modified on 23/04/2013 10:26
