Another crunch match for the Bloods with a resurgent Caulfield journeying down the road to meet in a “clash of the locals”. A 60 strong lunch for life members was a great starter for the day with Sausage Marshall, Gerns and Bear Bowring telling some gems from the past. It will take many a years to forget the image of 80’s mystery man, Frosty Miller, arriving at a home and away match in a taxi with a bottle of red in his hand! The irony was that Frosty was in fact one of the most creative and skilful players to ever wear the magenta and black. Doyens over the years often ponder what he could have been. Another terrific lunch also highlighted the fact that our new, wonderful digs are attracting more fans, and club icons back to our home games.
The Ressies had a tough day at the office with Caulfield scoring early despite that fact we had the majority of the play – but couldn’t convert. The Duck – Rory James tried hard all day and put his hand up for senior selection and Josh Toy, Vitters and Young Raff all contributed. But we should be better than the scores indicate.
The Seniors game started with a sharp drop in the temperature and with wind, rain and cloud to characterise the afternoon, it would prove a challenging day atPrincesPark. We started well and we had much of the ball in the early stages of the first quarter. Collo found Gledders who found Raff and Micky Meehan marked and kicked our first. Around the ground Stowie was displaying his usual fearless tackling. Newly promoted Colesy performed a 1, 2 with Meehan, who truly kicked his second. Down back Weeksey was playing well and Secc and Nicco were doing well in the ruck. Colesy was in the play again and this time he passed to Meehan, whose long kicked was marked by Trav, who truly booted his first. A dreadful turnover saw Caulfield finally surge forward and slot their first. Alfie then received a free, got the ball onto Collo who found Meehan for his third goal of the quarter. A free close to goal saw the visitors score their second and the bell sounded as they surged for their next. The scoreboard showed 4.1 to 2.1 at the first break.
The second quarter saw that Caulfield surge continue and they score the first 8 points of the quarter. They were showing plenty of determination and grit and it was almost again the play that a fortunate Poppa found Trav who kicked our first for the quarter. Caulfield were bursting tackles and their running game was troubling the Bloods. Once again the Bloods regrouped and Stowie found Secc who passed onto Meehan. Meehan handed off to Collo and he found Trav and Ridgy kicked his 2nd for the quarter. Players from both sides we becoming disenchanted with some decisions and it was getting very rough in and around the packs. A Bloods switch came unstuck and Caulfield scored their 5th for the quarter. In the dying minutes Hammer got foot to ball and ‘shuffled’ through our third. The half time score saw us behind – 7.3 to 7.5
The animosity brewing in the second stanza spilt into the third quarter and several testy packs formed. Secc was sent form the ground and that 15 minutes of ‘playing one short’ galvanised the Bloods and they stood tall! Stowie found Ridge and he converted but Caulfield responded with a pair of running goals. The backline was holding firm with both Alkers and Alfie displaying great courage under fire. Nashy was hard at the ball and his free on the southern boundary saw him convert and when a Hammer free saw Micky Meehan take mark o the day, Trav got the subsequent ball and scored again. As the siren sounded after a 35 minute quarter the status quo remained with a 10.5 to 10.7 scoreline.
The Bloods were one down on the bench and the Throng were both anxious and nervous about the last 30 minutes. The temperature was freezing and the coffee van was doing bumper business. A big crowd gathered for the last stanza and they would not be disappointed. An astute ruck tap saw the ball in Poppa’s hands and he converted to give us the lead. A mis-kick gifted Caulfield their first for the quarter. Play surged down our end and Stowie found Meehan, whose pass was freakishly marked by Poppa who goaled again. The Bloods were surging and Hammer, Jimmy Paul, Alkers and Gledders were all pushing forward. Colesy was playing his best game ever and his pass to Poppa saw Micky mark and kick our third. It was some pretty passionate footy being displayed by the home team. The visitors scored the next 8 points but no-one could see the score. Rain had forced spectators under cover which resulted in a scoreboard blackout. Secc burst from the pack and his torp was caught by Poppa who scored his third goal for the quarter. His move to the forward line would prove crucial. With the match still to be won, Trav stepped up, stepped around and scored his sixth for the game. Seconds later his sublime skills shone through after Taggs found Meehan, who gave Trav his 7th for the match. In a matter of minutes the lead had blown out to over 20 points and it was with much excitement that the siren sounded to show a 16.8 to 12.11. A 6 goals to 2 final quarter saw the Bloods triumphant.
Over the years Trav has played many outstanding games for the Bloods but The Oracle doubts if he has ever been so influential. When others rushed to handball or kick, Trav steadied and carefully crafted all his 7 goals. Poppa’s last quarter will also go down as one of his finest and his kicking, shrewd use of body and ability to play in front all paid dividends. Micky Meehan’s tireless approach and attack on the ball was much more than his 4 goals showed and Colesy should also be congratulated for his commitment to the magenta and black. It was an exciting game and as we all know the beer tastes much better when we win. Next week we play St Kevins hopefully at Keysborough.
Old Haileybury
Goal Kickers: T. Ridgway 7, M. Meehan 4, J. Nicolopoulos 3, H. McLauchlan , L. Nash
Best Players: T. Ridgway, M. Meehan, J. Nicolopoulos, T. Coles, L. Nash, J. Alkemade
Old Haileybury
Goal Kickers: R. James 3, A. Schofield , M. Mitchell , S. Ellis
Best Players: R. James, A. Vitolins, M. Rafferty, D. Mackenzie, A. Schofield, J. Toy
The Thirds recorded their third win for the season with a heart stopping one point win over Uni Blues. This is the first time an OHAFC side has beaten a Uni side on the road for 600 years.
The Thirds have their very own (new) scribe and he recorded the following highlights….
- J. Werrett and L. Skelton getting on top in the midfield during the 1st qtr
- H. McWilliam providing consistent drive off the HBF setting up numerous goals
- Small forwards Gauci, Derks and Simpson getting to Boffa’s feet resulting in a couple of goals
- B. O’Farrell attempting a ‘Stevie J’ in the 2nd qtr by kicking one across his body – the end result being the ball dribbling out of bounds
- L. Floyd getting a spray from brother and coach A. Floyd at half time and responding with a dominant 2nd half
- Q. Boan repeatedly throwing his body on the line during the 2nd half
- The half back line of Steen, Tyrell and Bean absolutely brilliant in defence
- Captain A. Floyd moving himself to the middle and constantly ‘bullocking’ thru the Uni Blues midfield and sending OHAFC forward.
Well Done Boys. A Great result to kick the day off.
Old Haileybury
Goal Kickers: B. O'Farrell 6, A. Floyd 2, L. Floyd , D. Warnes , D. Gauci Best Players: J. Werrett, H. McWilliam, T. Tyrell, H. Simpson, Q. Boan, D. Gauci
U/19s
The Boys got off to a slow start, allowing the hosts to score seven unanswered goals. And while they battled manfully afterwards the damage had been done.
| TEAM | 1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
|---|
| Ivanhoe |
7 |
6 |
48 |
10 |
13 |
73 |
14 |
20 |
104 |
19 |
26 |
140 |
| Old Haileybury |
0 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
17 |
2 |
5 |
17 |
4 |
5 |
29 |
Last Modified on 17/06/2013 21:21
