Seniors
De La finals hopes destroyed in the University mud.
Uni Blues kicked to the end favoured by a stiff breeze, which culminated in 11 of the 13 goals kicked at that end. DLS opened smartly kicking the 1st goal via
some cohesive play which landed the ball in the goal square where Charlie Haley out marked his opponent. Uni Blues were peppering the goals but rushed attempts were only rewarded with behinds. Eventually they goaled at the 19 minute mark and again right on the siren to have an 11 point margin. DLS backs had done a superb containment job as the forward entries were 15 : 4 in Blues favour. (It was just guess work as the forward arc markings were non-existent!)
The 2nd stanza was a replica of the first except that play was almost entirely on DLS forward zone (entries 12:6 DLS way). Charlie Haley kicked a contender for goal of the year early in Qtr 2 followed by goals at regular intervals to Jake Williams despite being double teamed, Jack Vickers & Matt Hine for DLS to establish a handy lead given the conditions of 13 points. DLS’s Tyson Hunt, after affecting a 2 handed spoil at centre half back, was concussed and was stretchered off. He was taken by ambulance to hospital where he remained overnight. Garrett McDonough who was doing well in the ruck had his day finished before half time with a hamstring. (These injuries to KPP’s really upset the structure of team). Jack Watts goaled from a ruck infringement free late in the quarter to reduce the DLS margin to 7 at half time.
The 3rd quarter was almost an exact replica of the 1st but this time Blues adopted a “kick it long” to the “hot spot” game plan. Fergus Watts who had been well held by the tenacious Tom Humphrey bobbed up for a couple of goals. Blues added 4 for the quarter to effectively put the game beyond DLS reach with a 19 point advantage by ¾ time. Ex Carlton player and recent Sandover medalist Ross Young was particuarly damaging during this period with his booming left foot making light of the heavy going.
In the conditions all Blues had to do was put as many numbers around the contest as possible and turn the match into a ball up marathon to nullify anything DLS could do to gain possession and move the ball forward with any sort of effectiveness. Captain David Lowe marked strongly at CHF and goaled to give the supporters some hope but Uni Blues were relentless and the game petered out to a 9 point victory to the home team. We had our chances but a wasteful 1.5 in he last was telling.
De La Salle 6.6.42
Uni Blues 7.9.51
Goal Kickers: C. Haley 2, J. Vickers , D. Lowe , J. Williams , M. Hine
Best Players: C. Haley, J. Williams, S. Haslem, T. Moloney, L. Semmel, T. Humphrey
Footnote
Colin Glover, who is not prone to exaggeration, described it as the most atrocious ground conditions he has seen in his 50 plus years of VAFA footy.
What was presented for players of both sides today was a disgrace. Several inches of putrid, foul smelling mud but with both teams needing a win for different reasons there was no option but to play.
Despite the best efforts of the home side to find an alternative venue the match was consigned to be played on a surface not seen since the 70s and 80s. While the home side were probably better suited to the conditions I am sure they would have preferred a more sporting deck to play the game on.
Our home ground has rightly had its share of detractors over the years but we have not served up anything like what we saw today, even when bog heaps like this were commonplace. The winning scores in the two Under 19 games played at ‘Dairy Bell’ today were 21 and 27 goals. Our seniors and reserves managed 10 goals between them in two games.
Fortunately we only have to play on this twice a year and I feel for the Blues and Blacks who have this garbage dished up to them week after week. I hope for their sake the University get there act together and present a suitable playing surface, not just for Premier division football but for any sort of football.
Reserves
We needed to make the best of the early going before the ground degenerated from deplorable to diabolical. We were good for most of the first quarter but a late lapse saw the home side take the lead and were never headed. Difficult to read much into this due to the extreme conditions. It has made each of the remaining games ‘must wins’ as we now cling to 4th spot on percentage. Big game next week and Collegians who are also battling to stay in the finals race.
De La Salle 4.9.33
Uni Blues 8.9.57
Goal Kickers: B. Humphrey , J. Griffiths , B. Nethersole , T. Kovess
Best Players: J. Griffiths, J. Fisher, B. Humphrey, T. Kovess, R. McArdle, E. Clinch
Thirds
With a pretty good team selected for today’s game we matched one of the competitions better sides for 3 quarters but they proved to strong in the end. Jarvis and Millwood the best and Ed Espinosa the only multiple goal kicker.
De La Salle 4.10.34
Uni Blacks 10.10.70
Goal Kickers: E. Espinosa 2, S. Wall , S. Morwood
Best Players: L. Jarvis, D. Millwood, J. O''Connor, R. McDonough, S. Griffin, S. O''Donnell
Club XVIII
A disappointing end to the season with a narrow defeat to St Bernard’s in the first semi final. Millidonis and Byers the best with Tom Kovarik kicking 4 majors.
De La Salle 9.11.65
St Bernards 11.12.78
Goal Kickers: T. Kovarik 4, T. Leary , B. Oakley , J. Comerford , J. Adams , R. Hancock
Best Players: C. Millidonis, S. Byers, N. Stewart, T. Nicholas, B. Oakley, T. Kovarik
19 Blues
A big win against the competition battlers Old Brighton. While finals look out of the picture it is important to finish the season on a high. James Howard led the goals kickers with 6 and Hamish Ramsey given best afield honours.
De La Salle 27.25.187
Old Brighton 5.2.32
Goal Kickers: J. Howard 6, D. Grant 3, M. Hogan 2, J. Wheeler 2, D. Spicer 2, A. Wheatley 2, L. Wood 2, L. Feather , H. Ramsay , J. Gava , J. Cox , W. Kanz , S. McGraw , M. Harvey , K. Wallis
Best Players: H. Ramsay, L. Wood, J. Howard, W. Kanz, S. McGraw, M. Mullaly
19 Golds
We keep winning but unfortunately Beaumaris also won to keep us out of the 4 on percentage with 2 games to go. We played at home to Parkdale who have struggled this year. Conditions were difficult with ground very heavy. First quarter saw us kick 3 goals to Parkdale zero, with Aaron Hay and Harry Zaia giving plenty of drive thru the midfield. 2 quarter was a goal feast with 8 goals to zero. Matt Hogan 4 and Jamie O’Sullivan 2, most dangerous up forward and Jack Hanley getting plenty of ball around the contest. 3rd quarter saw Parkdale improve with us kicking 5 and Parkdale 3. Nic Haliday strong in the ruck and Jono Dojcinovic attacking out of defence. Last quarter saw Golds kick 5 to 2, with only 16 players on the field with several players helping Blues with numbers for next game. Overall a big win.
Do or die next week against second placed St Bedes. A win will almost guarantee a finals place, a loss and it looks like a 5th place finish. Aaron Hay best with Matt Hogan again in the goals with 5.
De La Salle 21.13.139
Parkdale 5.5.35
Goal Kickers: M. Hogan 5, J. Hanley 3, J. O''Sullivan 3, H. Zaia 3, D. Anastasio 2, A. Hay 2, J. Pirovano , E. Holden , L. Carracher
Best Players: A. Hay, N. Halliday, H. Zaia, J. O''Sullivan, J. Hanley, J. Dojcinovic
Last Modified on 11/10/2013 17:56