Seniors
Probably one of the tougher assignments in the Premier division this season as we traveled to the University to take on one of the pre-season fancies Uni Blacks.
One thing about Premier ‘A’ is that if you are not switched on or a bit off your game you will be exposed and that is exactly what happened today as a very impressive Blacks outfit put us to the sword. A 6 goal to zero first quarter and a 38 point deficit at the first break. You cannot give any team a start like this, particularly a top team like Blacks on their home deck. The intensity we displayed last week evaporated and skill errors killed us as we turned the ball over time and again.
It must be said that for the next two quarters we fought very hard. We had more than our share of the ball and a couple of goals just before half time lifted our spirits. Unfortunately errant disposal and very poor conversion made it impossible to make inroads into the Blacks lead. Having battled hard to reduce the margin to under 5 goals we had 3 very gettable chances in the opening minutes of the third term. Each missed opportunity was another nail in the coffin and when Blacks got one against the run soon after you could sense that resistance had been broken. A lack of scoreboard pressure told and the floodgates opened
Full credit to the home side. They were switched on right from the first bounce and moved the ball with precision and efficiency. If they display that form they will take some beating.
Post game coach Paul Satterley bemoaned the poor start and a real lack of effort in the later stages of the game. In an otherwise bleak day he singled out the efforts of Tom Humphrey who was again named best player and noted the impressive debut of U19 player Adrian Indovino. Other better players were Charlie Haley and Matt Moore who both tried extremely hard to exert some forward pressure, Jake Williams and Tom Moloney.
A huge game for the club at home next week against the similarly placed Collegians. The Lions responded today with a win over the previously undefeated Old Trinity.
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De La Salle 2.11.23
Uni Blacks 13.16.94
Goal Kickers: L. Wood , D. Close
Best Players: T. Humphrey, C. Haley, J. Williams, M. Moore, T. Moloney, A. Indovino
Reserves
Another step in the resurrection of the ressies with a pretty solid effort against 2nd placed Uni Blacks. We led by a point at the half and ¾ time but could not close the deal, eventually losing by 19 points. Nick Hyland the best and pleasing to see a few returning players showing some form.
De La Salle 6.2.38
Uni Blacks 8.9.57
Goal Kickers: J. Mannix 2, J. Bull , R. McDonough , N. Hyland , M. Allan
Best Players: N. Hyland, S. Lowe, L. Jarvis, T. Parker, K. Grant
Thirds
Despite the ugly scoreboard it was win getting a team on the park. Scratching together 16 players at home last week and with a few injuries through the club things looked very grim for the 3s so to pull together a full team for the trip to St Bernards was a good effort. Fitness and preparation is an issue but with some players returning we are positive about the rest of the season.
De La Salle 5.3.33
St Bernards 25.25.175
19 Blues
A young and depleted Blues team simply no match for an impressive St Bernards team. Report to follow
De La Salle 4.3.27
St Bernards 24.15.159
Goal Kickers: J. Gava , H. Curtis , M. Mullaly , J. Howard
Best Players: H. Curtis, J. O'Sullivan, S. McGraw, J. Gava, H. Ramsay, M. Dumbleton
19 Golds
Such are the vagaries of the under 19 competition that you can actually play people older than 19, and sometimes that older more experienced player when confronting a 17 or 18 year old can be a valuable weapon to have. And credit to Oakleigh they used that anomaly to their advantage because in the end it was the older more powerfully built bodies which held sway over a younger opponent.
Maybe that anomaly brought in for the right reasons may now need to be revisited, but also the players just need to harden up and stop worrying about issues outside their control.
The result shows a 4 goal loss, but what it doesn't show is that in an important game where 3rd played 4th the Golds were overpowered, overawed and overrun by a much more disciplined, more determined and allowed their bigger opponents to dictate terms for far too long.
There was a breeze which was favouring the cricket nets end of the ground and Oakleigh with 1st use of this 4 goal advantage were peppering the goals relentlessly and probably should have been further ahead but for the work of players like Brett Cranage, Jack McLoughlin and Chris Akritidis. However, it was clear that some of the home team players were allowing perceived reputations, perceived abilities and perceived footballing prowesses of their opponents to intimidate them which was not helping at all.
The 2nd saw De La probably mirror the efforts of Oakleigh of wasting the breeze with terrible kicks to a crowded front half, kicks to the dead pocket, not enough run and carry and static movement of the ball coupled with comedic overuse of the ball to play right into the hands of their opponents.
The break couldn't have come at a better time as it allowed the players to face a few home truths, but also a couple of them were mature enough to own up to their own indiscretions which whilst admirable was certainly not appreciated by the coach, as they discovered to their detriment.
Sometimes a spray is worthwhile and after clearing the rooms of the trainers (it should be noted that Ally and Lauren do a terrific job, but don't need to be there to see the paint peeled off the walls and the descriptors applied by an irate coach) the players were much more focused on the task at hand and applied themselves much more diligently.
The 3rd saw the Golds play a much better brand of footy where they were certainly more accountable, certainly more committed to trying to stymie their opposition and with a slice more fortune they could have created a little more havoc on the scoreboard and sent a little bit of a scare through the opposition.
Despite being hamstrung by injuries with Michael Lee doing an ankle which severely affects our already undersized forward line and Dylan Kelly suffering a knock on the knee , Tom Still being generally banged up which deprived us of both run and leadership and with Adam Tonkin being severely hampered with an ankle the players did try to make a much better fist of the contest despite being left with what was effectively no bench.
Positives were we had 14 scoring shots after the half to 9 and with more composure we could have edged closer, however the damage was done and despite a rally towards the end of the last quarter we were well beaten.
Better players for the day were few and far to find from a De La perspective because of so few 4 quarter performers, but for what was not such a great day it could have been a lot worse and recognition of the efforts of Hamish Wardlaw in the ruck over the 4 quarters, Brett Cranage across half back along with Jack McLoughlin, Stef Taranto along with Dan Anastasio both who had run with roles and Tom Brasher were very good.
We had cameos from Michael Lamoutzis and Jackson Wheeler who had a terrific last quarter and a half, Aiden Wood made a much better effort for a longer period of time as a marking forward, Will Agar worked hard, Tom Hyland and Jake McGaw had good moments, but overall it was left to far too few to do far too much and subsequently we copped our right whack.
As a result of dropping our 2nd game in a row we have slid out of the four and have joined the group of those teams fighting for what may be the last finals spot. As such next week we have Collegians and to say this is a big game is an understatement. What this means is that it is important that ALL players prepare well with attendance at training, application on the track and a somewhat more disciplined Friday night for a couple of the players.
Finally players were left with the question of what do they want to achieve for the year because they have a couple of choices - they can work to have some part of the post-season or they can just drift along and waste an opportunity. Coaches can set goals, but unless the players buy into those goals it is meaningless: as such we await how the players respond.
De La Salle 5.13.43
Oakleigh 9.11.65
Goal Kickers: J. McLoughlin , L. Feather , T. Still , A. De Luca , J. Hanley
Best Players: H. Wardlaw, B. Cranage, T. Brasher, D. Anastasio, J. McLoughlin, S. Taranto
Last Modified on 18/05/2014 14:16
