Coming into the Senior team this week was Nick Carrodus and Matt Davis, both playing their first Senior games at Vermont as well as Adrian Gileno, who’s ten goal haul in the Reserves last week made him almost an automatic selection.
The Result was a emphatic 53 point win to our boys in a very high classed game that featured great ball movement, high marking, relentless tackling and some outstanding goals. Thankfully most of those goals were by the boys in purple and gold.
The game did present a tantalising battle for leading goalkicker in the competition between the two full forwards in Justin Van Unen and Rowville’s Cody Morris. It turned out to be goal for goal all day with Van Unen kicking 7 and Morris getting 6. Justin now is the leader on 51 and Morris has 48. Justin Van Unen is like no other forward we have seen at Vermont. He has a wonderful ability to use his body in the marking contests, marks mostly on his chest and kicks the impossible goals every week. Worth the gate charge just to see him play.
The opening was tough and fast as both sides looked like they had came to play. Vermont looked the better side and Rowville had a plan to rough up a few Eagle feathers. We dominated possession in the opening quarter but managed a frustrating 5 consecutive points before the goals started to come after a wonderful run through the midfield by Shane Davidson to get the ball to Van Unen who made no mistake. The Eagles then nailed 5 more majors including a super running goal from the far kindergarten side boundary by defender Kyle Emley who was pretty pleased with himself. In defence dean Millhouse was fantastic and marking everything, but Grant McCarthy had his hands full with the Rowville spearhead who looked very dangerous.
It was a excellent opening quarter for us, although the margin of only 21 points was disappointing.
QUARTER TIME Vermont 6-6-42 to Rowville 3-3-21
2ND Quarter got of to a very quick start with Rowville’s Morris again scoring within a minute. Then Van Unen responded by intercepting a stray backline Rowville pass. Brilliant running goals to Shane Davidson and Ryan Wilson pushed the lead out to 29 points and we were breathing easier. However Rowville were not going away and three quick goals towards the end of the quarter had the Vermont Coaching box rather anxious. They were a bit happier right on the siren has somehow Van Unen twisted his body around his opponent to mark a metre out from goal.
So margin at half time was 4 goals, but the issue was not yet settled.
HALF TIME Vermont 10-10-70 to Rowville 7-4-46
At the break, the Coach made a big move shifting Grant McCarthy to centre half forward and Ben Crowe back in defence. And what a move it was. “GMack” was sensational up forward and played a big part in a five goals to two quarter that really sealed the game. Crowie harassed the opposition as only he can. He is an angry man.
We were now dominating the midfield lead by the Captain Ryan Mullett, Lachie Johns, Dan Mendes and Tom Schneider and greatly helped by the work of ruckman Simon Taylor and the new boy Nick Carrodus.
THREEQUARTER TIME Vermont 15-12-102 to Rowville 9-7-61
The final quarter started with a Grant McCarthy goal and then a dashing run and long kick by Ryan Mulltet to see Nathan Henley take a very strong high mark and goal. The interest then was really how many goals Justin Van Unen could get . Grant McCarthy again assisted and “JV” did not let him down with his 7th. To Rowville’s credit they never stopped trying and maintained pressure right to the siren.
FINAL SCORE Vermont 18-15-123 to Rowville 10-10-70
To win by nearly 9 goals was an excellent result against a very talented young side that has every chance of grabbing the 5th spot in the finals race. Kris Barlow was obviously very pleased with the win, but more so about how the boys played and he made particular mention afterwards of the efforts of Lachie Johns, Grant McCarthy, Andy Ellis, Matt Davis and the ruckman Simon Taylor and Nick Carrodus.
Kris Barlow had put a huge amount of effort into the team’s preparation and he deserves every bit of praise. He is doing an exception job
A highlight for me was the performance of our youngsters, Lachie Johns, Shane Davidson, Ryan Wilson and Nick Johnson. “ Johnsy” is star. His ability to stay on his feet and that thumping kicks into the forwards or through for goals was sensational.
It was a very much a team effort with everyone playing a part and an excellent preparation for next week’s big game against Balwyn
GOALS:- Justin Van Unen 7, Lachie Johns 3, and one each to McCarthy, Emley, Barry-Murphy, Davidson, Henley, Mullett, Wilson and Ellis.
BEST PLAYERS Lachlan Johns, Ryan Mullett, Dean Millhouse, Justin Van Unen, Ryan Wilson, Tom Schneider and Andrew Ellis. Special Mention to Grant McCarthy’s second half.
Last Modified on 01/07/2013 15:56