Seniors
There is no doubting the adage that a week is a long time in politics and the events in the nations capital only served to reinforce that notion, however the same can be said of football. What a difference there was between the De La side last week overpowered and overrun by a disciplined Old Xav's and that of the team that represented De La at Waverley Park against Beaumaris.
Rather like last week it was a perfect day for footy with sunshine and absolutely no wind so all was set up for a repeat of the terrific contest that occurred the first time these 2 sides met when they both occupied the top spots on the ladder and were both undefeated.
After last weeks searching examination by the Old Xav's we were able to welcome back some quality players which would allow us to cover the taller marking options of Beaumaris and into the back 6 went State Rep and deputy vice Captain Justin Baxter, Tyson Hunt & Tom Humphrey which helped to provide leadership and stability but also rebound through the run and carry of these players.
For intents and purposes it appeared that Beaumaris were being polite guests visiting for the 1st time as we swept into the lead through Semmmel, then veteran Duggan with a terrific goal from the 'wrong' side for a left footer and the hard running Clinch opening up a handy lead which had us up and about and running across the top of the ground before Beauy forward Braithwaite goaled only to have that score quickly rendered insignificant as Clinch and Duggan again scored to reassert and stretch the lead at the opening break.
The team and supporters were pleased with the 27 point 1/4 time break, but we were certainly aware of the quality of Beauy having played them down at Banksia earlier in the season. And that caution and respect for the opposition was well founded as the visitors started much more strongly as they looked to work their way back into the contest.
Praise must go to veteran defender Tom Moloney who along with Tyson Hunt and fellow defenders Jake Williams, Tom Humphrey, Dave Convery and Justin Baxter were able to repel the threat of the Beauy forward thrusts through some excellent, but basic defensive work of punching clear of the taller marking options, but also through looking to link together through using sweeping handballs and precise kicking to team mates further afield.
Our smaller, but hard working and selfless forwards were grateful recipients of the backs bringing the ball forward and in this quarter undersized ruck Garrett McDonough goaled from distance. This was quickly responded to by Boyd for Beaumaris.
There was a flurry of goals to the home side as goals to Nick Roberts, then a 3rd to a switched on Ed Clinch set up a 39 point margin close to half time, which would have contented most of the him support. However, Matt Hine playing superbly marked and goaled from distance from he true centre half forward position and right on the siren the effervescent Sam Pickett got his 1st to extend the margin to 50 points at the break.
Whilst the players were feasting on the ample opportunities on-field the supporters flooded into the social rooms to enjoy the VAFA's best afternoon tea and they too feasted upon what had been perhaps our best half for quite a while and was helping to eradicate any lingering doubts over the quality of our young team.
The 3rd saw Beauy come out with more purpose and threat in the opening minutes as they deservedly kicked the opening 2 goals to reduce the gap back to under 40 points and provide hope to their supporters and offer encouragement to their coaching staff. Perhaps they had received a bit of a good old fashioned bake at half time, but whatever it was the players responded and De La would need to be wary of the rejuvenated Beauy.
After the opening flurry by Beauy we responded when the lanky Ben Nethersole fortuitously received a free in the goal square which helped settle us after conceding 2 early goals.
It must be noted that the game was played at a very high tempo and the ball was fairly pinging up and down the ground and it had turned into a much better contest for the neutral as Beauy matched us across the ground.
As the game headed to the last break Beauy may have slightly relaxed, but that proved almost fatal as De La through Pickett and Hine both goaled to extend the break at the last to 56. These last 2 goals knocked the proverbial stuffing out of the visitors and the game was as good as over as evidenced by the clinical last quarter we put on.
The ball seemed to be permanently wedged in the De La forward area with a 12 to 3 differential in forard entries to De La and the major beneficiaries of this constant forward pressure was the 18 year old Charlie Haley, Charlie Haley and Charlie Haley as he kicked 3 last quarter goals and helped set up another for Pickett as we rolled over the top of a tiring and flagging Beauy.
The last quarter demolition was perhaps best exemplified by the contested ball won at a boundary throw-in where Lachy Bull roved and gathered the loose ball, cleared the contested area and ran through to the top of the 45 arc and slotted through a wonderful running goal leaving a series of grasping flailing Beauy players in his wake.
When the final siren went it saw De La in front by a very convincing 83 points and the performance was in marked contrast to last weeks game, but it also proves that when we are on our game we can be very good and pleasing to watch, but the game is played as much between the ears as on the ground.
Sometimes its hard to single out better players in such an even team performance where everyone did their bit, but we were very well served by Matt Hine, Ed Clinch, Sam Haslem, Jake Williams and the Long consummate team player Nick Roberts.
We head to the break at 7 wins and 4 losses and given our recent wobbles in form its heartening, but such is the state of the comp we cannot really afford to relax. We look forward to getting a couple more back, strengthen all teams make a concerted effort to push for September action.
We knew it was our day as this week we won the after match raffle. So all up a terrific day for the seniors.
De La Salle 18.12.120
Beaumaris 5.7.37
Goal Kickers: C. Haley 3, S. Pickett 3, E. Clinch 3, M. Hine 2, M. Duggan 2, L. Semmel , G. McDonough , N. Roberts , L. Bull , B. Nethersole
Best Players: M. Hine, J. Williams, J. Gotch, S. Haslem, N. Roberts, E. Clinch
Reserves
With players returning we put out a pretty good team today and against a side with just one victory this year you might expect this would be a routine win. Nothing could be further from the truth. Approaching the 20 minute mark of the 2nd quarter it was 7 goals to 1 in favour of the opposition. As if flicking a switch we piled on 4 goals in 5 minutes to go in just 2 goals down at halftime. A dominant 3rd quarter was not rewarded on the scoreboard with poor conversion keeping Beaumaris in the game. After getting on top and looking to be cruising there was a massive momentum shift about halfway through the last quarter. Beaumaris were all over us and looked to have the game in their keeping when they lead by 10 points with under 2 minutes on the clock but a hard running effort Hugh Nicholson resulted in a nice opportunist goal to give us a sniff. From the restart a centre clearance ended with Jack Jarvis whose clever left foot snap from 30 metres rolled through. Two goals in the last minute and we had somehow pinched the win. Commiserations to Beaumaris who were the better side for most of the day and were unlucky to lose. Shane Griffin B.O.G in his 100th game with Jack Jarvis booting 4 goals.
De La Salle 11.15.81
Beaumaris 11.13.79
Goal Kickers: J. Jarvis 4, H. Nicholson 3, K. Grant 2, R. McArdle , N. Fyfield
Best Players: S. Griffin, H. Haley, K. Grant, J. Jarvis, N. Fyfield, D. Close
Thirds
Another cold start to the day at home and with the numbers better but still a bit short the Brown boys backed it up again this week. We came out firing from the first bounce with Nick Hogan being our main focal point at centre half forward. With the inclusion of Matt Hamilton Brendon Close and Mark Frendo we were dominating the clearances out of the centre which made it easier for the likes of Steve Brown, Nick Hogan and Matt Naughtin in the forward line.
By the end of the first quarter the boys had kicked 4 goals to St Bernard’s 1. We started the second quarter the same way with Patrick O’Connell running hard on the wing and Dan Griffin making sure St Bernard’s knew he was around with bone crutching tackles. But the injuries started to hit us hard with Liam O’Donnell going down with a bad knee and Eddie Espinosa’s sustaining an ankle pinjury. We held on to the lead kicking 4 .2 to St Bernard’s 2.1 in the second quarter and had a comfortable half time lead.
The main message at ½ time was to keep the pressure up, as we knew St Bernard’s were going to come out hard. Declan Freeman went down with a sprained ankle but with no bench he strapped it up went back on sitting in the forward pocket and still managed to kick a goal.
Our defence stood up against the St Bernard forward pressure with Nathan Beaumont and Steve Hogan providing run out of the back line setting up our forwards. The last quarter was going to be a grind as we didn’t have any rotations left but the boys stuck at it and came up with a hard fought win.
De La Salle 12.10.82
St Bernards 7.6.48
Goal Kickers: N. Hogan 4, S. Brown 3, S. Brown 2, D. Freeman , S. Hogan , M. Naughtin
Best Players: N. Hogan, M. Hamilton, B. Close, P. O'Connell, N. Beaumont, S. Hogan
Club XVIII
Massive win against a plucky Fitzroy. Not much you day say about this other than these results are probably not great for the competition. Jack Haley with 7 the major goal kicker with Oakley and Browning once again dominant.
De La Salle 32.22.214
Fitzroy 4.1.25
Goal Kickers: J. Haley 7, T. Kovarik 5, B. Oakley 5, J. Adams 4, M. Tehennepe 3, Z. Dickinson 3, S. Byers , T. Bellomo , T. Krezel , D. Hyde , J. Hassall
Best Players: B. Oakley, H. Browning, J. Haley, Z. Dickinson, T. Leary, J. Adams
19 Blues
With so much on the line we could not get the job done. Now 2 games out of the four and things now desperate. With 7 games left every game a virtual elimination final.
De La Salle 7.7.49
Fitzroy 11.1682
Goal Kickers: K. Wallis 3, H. Curtis 2, J. Howard 2
Best Players: M. Carter, J. Gava, H. Ramsay, K. Wallis, D. Craig, D. Anastasio
19 Golds
A brave effort with 16 players against the 2nd side. The Golds ventured out to Mentone Playing fields for a game against 2nd spot Old Mentonians knowing that our numbers would be low due to injuries. We started game with 15 players with 1 arriving soon after. We set ourselves for a hard day at the office and the first half showed we could still score well, with our good ball use on limited opportunities. Damon Grant was good with 3 first half goals. Nick Halliday dropping back in the Ruck to help defend with Jake Pirovono gave us great rebound. 2nd Half was going to be difficult, however the boys lifted again with 9 second half goals and really showed Old Mentonians how to run the ball. Dylan Cowan continued his hard work all round the ground and Harry Zaia dropped from deep into defence to also run forward to finish with 3 goals, just behind Damon Grant who finished with 4. It was a great example for the team on what hard work can produce, even under trying circumstances. We look forward to getting a few back after the break and pushing back into the top 4.
De La Salle 13.10.88
Old Mentonians 24.19.163
Goal Kickers: D. Grant 4, H. Zaia 3, T. Still 2, T. Fisher 2, D. Cowan , J. Dennehy
Best Players: H. Zaia, D. Cowan, J. Pirovano, N. Halliday, D. Grant, J. Dennehy
Last Modified on 13/10/2013 11:32