This report is brought to you by Hotel Brighton - now open for business as a sponsor of Haileybury Football (dont forget your tag). We finally taste some success at senior and reserve level after some long breaks between drinks. Both the seniors and the reserves played well and deserved their wins at home. The U19's were against a strong top team but performed well in windy conditions.
Round 16 saw the Bloods take on traditional rivals Mazenod at Princes Park. Both sides had plenty to play for with Haileybury sitting in ninth position on the ladder on 14 points whilst Mazenod were in fifth position with 32 points and challenging for a finals berth. Mazenod were coming off victories against Ajax and Caulfield whilst the Bloods went down to Old Melbournians last weekend however outscored the opposition in the final term to go into the clash with Mazenod with increased confidence. The coaching panel made a number of changes this week including 2 highly rated year 11 boys from the school, Corey Rich and Corey Connelly.
In testing conditions the Bloods kicked against a slight breeze in the first quarter. The opening 10 minutes was tense with neither side gaining a clear advantage and Mazenod leading by a goal half way thru the term. Soon after Old Haileybury ‘flicked the switch’ booting 3 goals in the space of 5 minutes. Gleadhill goaled on the run and then Pinot spun out of a pack and kicked truly on the left boot. The quarter time margin was 9 points to Old Haileybury with the Bloods to kick with the breeze in the 2nd qtr.
Our momentum continued in the 2nd term with Meehan goaling after being switched from centre half back to the forward line in what was a masterful move by the coach. Our midfield was getting on top with McLauchlan setting up a number of forward trusts, Pinot getting busy and Gleadhill laying a number of heavy tackles on unsuspecting Nodders. Halfway thru the quarter Rafferty copped a heavy knock and courageously got up to take the free and then kicked truly to stretch the margin to 3 goals. Nicolopoulos landed a huge bomb from outside the 40 metre line and then Alkemade marked and goaled 3 minutes before half time to give the Bloods a lead of 29 points at the main break.
Mazenod kicked with a strengthening breeze in the 3rd term and threw everything at the Bloods with hard running off half back and thru the midfield. Pinot almost kicked goal of the year with a banana from the boundary line and then Mick Meehan called for an oxygen mask when taking mark of the year right in front of the social club (see below). Corey Connelly bobbed up to kick another goal and despite a few highlights the quarter belonged to Mazenod who led by 1 point at 3 qtr time.
The stage was set for a thrilling last quarter and a Bloods victory was there for the taking. Mazenod once again threw everything at us and were getting on top around the stoppages early in the term. Gleadhill had been brilliant all day and won the ball right in front coaching staff when outnumbered by the opposition. Gooda kicked a brilliant long range goal to put the Bloods in front however Mazenod responded immediately to regain the lead. Meehan was again switched forward and had an immediate impact goaling to put the Bloods 2 points up half way thru the qtr. Gooda was well on top of his opponent and was well supported by James Paul with two dashing runs thru the centre with one forward movement setting up a goal to Dawson. McLauchlan was brilliant all day and showed enormous courage to get straight back up after a heavy collision. Mazenod continued to fight however a gutsy James Paul mark deep in defence prevented a certain Mazenod goal and sealed the game for the Bloods.
The final result was a victory to Haileybury by 20 points. Our best players were Gleadhill, McLauchlan, Dawson, Gooda, Meehan, J. Paul with a special mention to the young boys Rich and Connelly who made a brilliant debuts to their senior careers.
The reserves set the tone for the day with a 17 point win over Mazenod and showed great poise and fight in the last quarter to seal victory. Nash, Smith, Collins and Backway were our best players.
The Under 19’s were beaten by Ormond however Mantell, Tabe, Toy and McIntyre all played very well.
Senior Results:
OLD HAILEYBURY
Goal Kickers: C. Connelly 3, M. Meehan 3, P. Gleadhill 2, J. Dawson 2, J. Nicolopoulos , N. Gooda , C. Vincent , L. Pinot , C. Rich , J. Alkemade , M. Taylor , R. Johnson
Best Players: , P. Gleadhill , H. McLauchlan , J. Dawson , N. Gooda , M. Meehan , J. Paul
Reserves:
OLD HAILEYBURY
Goal Kickers: R. James 3, L. Nash 2, T. Gill , J. Backway , M. Collins , C. Hill , T. Coles
Best Players: , L. Nash , C. Smith , M. Collins , J. Backway , A. Thomson , D. Newby
Under 19’s
OLD HAILEYBURY
Goal Kickers: B. O''Leary , M. McIntyre , L. Thomas , N. Tabe , E. Sturrock
Best Players: , J. Mantell , N. Tabe , M. McIntyre , A. Toy , N. Hunter , F. Stranges
Last Modified on 11/08/2014 23:34