With Hyxy busy with his horses Takeover Target and Haradasun at Royal Ascot (or was it just a day out at Moonee Valley?) it has been left to the Oracle to report on what was a must win match at Royal Badlands. Old Caulfield, fresh off a good win last week, presented as an interesting opponent and the Bloods would need to fully âturned onâ. The good feeling the Oracle and the Throng experienced in the rooms pre game spilled onto the field as the fast starting Bloods played another blinder of opening quarter footy. The Oracle had once seen Dennis Lillee take 7 wickets in a day but he had never seen a player in any comp kick 7 goals in one quarter. History for the OHAFC was about to be written.
Chis, after scoring a point on the run then found James Magee who received a free after having his head removed. A resultant goal. Brew, who was on fire early, then found Magee with a lace out pass. Number 2. After a few careless errors and slip overs Caulfield banged on their first. Brew then found Magee again for number 3. A Nostradamus style prophet from the opposition suggested that our Number 1 was in for a tough day. He couldnât have been more wrong. With Paddy rucking strongly, Stef and the Hyphen rebounding well off half back and Frogger racking up more tackles that a state of origin team, it was left to Laz to pass to Magee for anther. Secc got Magee his next and another head high tackle got James his next. It was fitting that his 7th for the quarter was from another Brew pass. When the bell sounded for quarter time it was The Bloods 7.4 to Old Caulfield 2.2. Magee had set a new club record by scoring all 7 majors for the opening stanza.
The second quarter had plenty to live up to and Brew stared again in fine form. Spencer got the ball to Secc after a beaut intercept and he kicked truly. On the backline Harro/Morro was playing well and Ferg was sticking close to the Caulfield main target. Vossy was finding his feet after a 2 week enforced rest and Tony Brown was everywhere â as usual. Caulfield was playing better and they responded with 2 goals for the quarter. Laz marked strongly and converted and he soon scored a second after Browny and Harro got the ball to him with terrific teamwork. The half time hooter sounded with the score line 10.9 to 4.7. Despite being 6 goals down Caulfield left the arena in a very buoyant meed and the Bloods knew they would have to keep up the pressure in the second half.
The third quarter was not the most inspiring stanza of recent weeks and highlights were few. Caulfield banged on a quick goal and when Harro was sent off the Bloods found themselves a man down against a team ready to use the wind and exploit the numbers. Vossy stood tall as did Ferg. Brew was still producing the goods, ably supported by the Hyphen and Frogger. After a penetrating kick from Macca, Vossy swooped on the ball and converted from a tough position. It proved to be our only goal for the quarter. The ground was much heavier then it appeared and the wind had picked up considerably in the late afternoon. We would kick with it in the final quarter.
The Oracle and the Throng emerged from the huddle confident that the boys would rise in the final 20 minutes. Warnsey took a terrific mark at CHF and truly converted to get the boys going. Laz was being dangerous and got his third. Caulfield responded after a few Bloodsâ mistakes let them in. Chis was playing well across the ground and Laz then found Magee who marked strongly overhead. He promptly scored his 8th! During the previous 2 quarters Magee had played up the ground and it was fitting he scored another before gameâs end. A terrific Hammer handball found Brew pushing forward and he was rewarded with a best-on-ground gaol. The bell sounded soon after and the final score line read 16.17 to 10.12 after Caulfield had goaled on the siren. The Throng descended upon the room for the singing of the song. Magee was lauded for his fine efforts in front of goal. Despite the terrific win the Bloodsâ faithful were subdued as we all know the journey to Bomber Grammar next week is B Gradeâs most challenging road trip.
The heaters were on in the Clubrooms and once again the Throng was strongly supporting the terrific bar work of Julie and John. Prez Bonners was in fine form teasing the large crowd with lines like âdo you want to know the other scores?â Hyxy had returned from Royal Ascot and Stenny was distributing Monster raffle tickets as we consumed some monster beers. In keeping with Government guidelines we were all having only 2 drinks to avoid the tag of âBinge Drinkerâ â then another 2 and another 2! With a variety of drinks on offer behind the bar some of the Bloods senior gentry we seen sipping mixed drinks in a surprise move. Good grief!
Last Modified on 06/04/2009 22:43