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Evoking memories of the Tommy Lee Jones 1986 epic, The Park is Mine The Oracle stood by as around half ofSouth Caulfield decanted itself to PricesPark for the Bloods V AJAX clash. Pre-game the coaching staff had it well pitched – Stowie was to tag (and did so superbly)AJAX dangerman, Routman, while Ludski and VFL and SFL icon Ezra Poyas were also noted.
The fact was that despite the relentless running game ofAJAX being pointed out pre game, nobody could prepare for the torrent of one way traffic that would be the first quarter. We started well enough against the wind and Stowie found Lukey who pin-pointed Trav. While our first score was a point, signs were positive. Farmer scored our second point after some good play from Collo but danger man Poyas would soon signal his intentions for the day by slotting his first from the centre circle.
The Bloods responded well when Taggs got the ball to Trav and his clever left foot found the goals. Taggs got the ball again and this time a super shepherd from Donga allowed Meehan to mark and goal. While we were able to kick another into the wind the pressure exerted by Jimmy Paul, Collo and Kellerman was not enough to stop the flood of AJAXgoals. So fast and furious was their play that The Orcale struggled to keep up writing the plays down. Many were scored without the Bloods touching a ball and already Fayman was in the multiples – he would later score his 11th for the visitors.
The Throng were shell shocked to read a 3.2 to 9.4 quarter time scoreline. The second quarter was an absolute shocker and for a few minutes it looked like we have our 5th goalless quarter in the past 9 quarters played. Our mistakes were not good and the visitors found relative ease in slotting 5 against a growing gale. The Bloods had their chances – posters, points to Collo and Micky but it was left to Taggs to dribble one in for us the score our first and only for the quarter. The half time scoreline of 4.9 to 15.4 had the hosts in shock and the 1500 visitors in absolute splendour.
Many Bloods supporters arriving couldn’t believe their eyes and even BOO couldn’t bear to watch and he left before the third stanza started. That was a pity because after half time the Bloods held their own and outscored the visitors – but the damage was well and truly done. AJAXhad played A grade footy and the sublime skills of Poyas reminded the Throng of the heydays of Vossy, when he would often change the fortunes of the Bloods in one quarter.
In the third stanza Benny White went in hard as did Corras, Hammer and Collo. Too many points spoilt our scorecard but Jimmy Paul found Joey who goaled. Poppa got us another one and Secc was awarded a free and truly converted. The Bloods started to exert some physical pressure and despite AJAX slotting 5 for the quarter the response from the Bloods was much better. The 7.13 to 20.11 scoreline didn’t reflect the improved fortunes.
The final quarter saw Taggs continue his good form and take on the opposition with his usual flair. Benny White’s long bomb went through for a goal and Raff then hit the top of the post. Collo broke free and scored a beauty beyond 50 metres and when Gledders converted from a free, we had kicked our third for the quarter. Things would get better when Donga got another and then Collo slotted his second. Taggs would give us our 6th for the quarter from the boundary and when the bell went we could at least say we kept the visitors goalless in the final stanza.
The Oracle could not remember a team who ran with such speed and relentlessness and while dangermen Routman and Ludski would have relatively quiet games, seven or eight of their teammates would cover them with ease. Poyas showed what a marquee player can do for a club and Fayman’s 11 goals appeared effortless. The season is already proving topsy turvy and while the spirited comeback highlighted the grit of Corras, Collo , Timmy W and Stowie, it sometimes seems that too much is being left to too few.
Old Haileybury 3 2 20 4 9 33 7 13 55 13 18 96
AJAX 9 4 58 15 4 94 20 11 131 20 14 134
Old Haileybury Goal Kickers: W. McTaggart 3, M. Collins 2, T. Ridgway , J. Fisscher , M. Seccull , J. Heagney-Steart , B. White , M. Meehan , P. Gleadhill , J. Nicolopoulos
Best Players: M. Collins, S. Corrigan, W. McTaggart, T. Witherow, M. Stowe, L. Pinot
The Ressies also paid for a bad first half. While the second half provided a better performance, the damage had been done on the scoreboard with AJAX dominating. The visitors got their confidence up and proved far too strong. Skipper Scott Ellis toiled manfully all day, while Nicholas Salvatore and Johnno Roberts provided strong support. The boys are going to have to regroup and find that formula that saw them start the year in such promising fashion.
Old Haileybury 0 1 1 2 2 14 4 2 26 4 5 29
AJAX 6 6 42 12 7 79 16 10 106 18 11 119
The U/19s jumped on a bus and headed over to Chelsworth Park, home of Old Ivanhoe. The hosts proved too strong but there were some promising signs from the guys and with a couple of players to return from injury a win in the near future would not surprise. Steve “Truck” Kenworthy was the proud recipient of the Hawaiian shirt awarded to the day’s best player.
Old Ivanhoe 12 16 88
Old Haileybury 3 5 23
Old Haileybury Goal Kickers: S. Kenworthy 2, D. Siapkas
Best Players: D. Siapkas, S. Kenworthy, B. Traeger-Haig, J. Conte, H. Melville, S. Nicholls
The Haileybury First XVIII, coming off a courageous win against Xavier at Xavier, faced a challenge of a different kind in Round 3 - having to take on Geelong College without 5 of their best due to Vic Metro Under 18 commitments. Haileybury still went into the game with confidence, happy to provide five boys an opportunity to cement a spot in the team.
The 10A's and the 2nds had started the day victorious, but the Firsts couldn't continue the success. Geelong's hardness and pressure caught the Bloods on the hop and went into the half time break with a 25 point lead. Olly Armstrong (12 tackles) and first gamer Matty Charlesworth were doing everything they could to reduce the deficit, but Geelong had the answers.
The Bloods are now keen to make amends next week when they venture out to Wheelers Hill to take on Caulfield Grammar.
Final Scores: Haileybury 8.4.52 Geelong 16.14.110
Best: Rich, Collins, Armstrong, Charlesworth, Howes
Goals: B.Connelly 3, Charlesworth 2, Stanton, Verma, Howes
Last Modified on 13/05/2013 15:05