Seniors
The game was played in atrocious conditions, diametrically opposed to those in which DLS thrives. The stronger Blacks players simply shrugged off tackles to gainclear space for disposal while DLS players always struggled to gain clean possession and subsequent effective / clear disposal.
The senior game started after constant rain during the whole of the Reserves game. Blacks surged forward from centre throw up and with a perfect set up centredfrom the pavilion flank to goal through Gaylor inside 40 seconds of game start. The day & conditions was tailer made for defences but smart young forward Charlie Haley goaled from a scrimmage to leave DLS 1 point adrift at quarter time.
Blacks again scored early but this time it took to the 4 minute mark for Pattison to goal and give Blacks a 6 point margin, which it maintained to the main break.With only one goal for the quarter the game was more like rugby than our footy. Players were continuously tackled with the ball barely moving for minutes of play on end.
Blacks goaled again through Pattison and again within 2 minutes of the start. DLS fought back hard but struggled to get the ball beyond the centre and had only 3 entries for the quarter one of which resulted in a smart snapped goal to Sam Haslem and the margin was back to 6 points. This was at the 12 minute mark, with its only other goal coming at the7 minute mark of the 1st quarter. With the game being played almost entirely in Blacks half, if not its forward arc, it was not surprising when they goaled through Weekley at the 17 minute mark. Tribute must be paid to the sterling defence of Tom Moloney and Jake Williams whose stamina was being sorely tested, as was that of their colleagues.
Luke Semmel, skipper David Lowe and Sam Williams were constantly gaining possession in the packs but struggled to deliver effectively due to Blacks pressure. A goal to Blacks’ Flight right on the¾ time siren was a devastating blow to DLS chances with Blacks having an 18 point margin.
With only one goal scored and that at just over the 1 minute mark you can imagine how dour the match had become. The players of both teams should be commendedfor the spirit in which the match was played and for their endeavours, which hardly diminished over the game.
DLS now in 4th place on percentage only from Old Scotch face a crucial game with St Bedes Mentone Tigers next week.Anything less than a win would leave us very vulnerable.
De La Salle 2.5.17
Uni Blacks 6.6.42
Goal Kickers: S. Haslem , C. Haley
Best Players: T. Moloney, S. Williams, J. Williams, L. Semmel, C. Haley, T. Humphrey
Reserves
Against a strong Uni Blacks team we looked to shake of some very poor recent form. In horrible conditions this was our best effort in some weeks with a good the win consolidating our place in the four. Shane Griffin continued a great run of recent form with best a field honours again.
De La Salle 5.11.37
Uni Blacks 3.5.23
Goal Kickers: J. Griffiths , K. Grant , J. Hansen , H. Nicholson , M. Moore
Best Players: S. Griffin, J. Griffiths, P. Harrison, H. Haley, S. Lowe, B. Nethersole
Thirds
Wet and cold and just 7 degrees and we had a feeling it wasn’t going to be an enjoyable day. It wasn’t a good start when our change rooms could only fit ½ the team in the rooms at once.
We started the game with 16 men so you knew it was going to a tough day at the office the coaches main points before the start was never go to ground and don’t hand ball as we didn’t have the numbers so just kick it down to Nick Hogan and let him use his pace and marking power and the guys had to do rotations between themselves to give each other a rest.
Old Xavs helped by starting the game with 17 on the ground to a least to make it a contest. With Jason Terrall in the ruck and Brendan Close in the centre we were going to make a fist of it. Terrall being the biggest bloke on the field had a great day in the wet and muddy conditions, with Close and Kneebone running hard all day. Old Xavs got a jump on us early and led 31-7 at the first break. Mick Brown had some changes to make for the 2Q and tried to get some pace into the forward line. He moved Beaumont up forward to assist Luke and Nic Hogan and to play a tagging role on one of their main players makers. Nic Hogan got a couple of goals to make the margin a more respectable 52-27 at half time.
The message at half time was to continue the same game plan and keep persisting and hope for some results to come our way. The 3rd Q was a hard fought battle with only one goal being kicked for the quarter by old Xavs to De La’s 3 behinds. De La started the 4th quarter with a bang kicking 2 quick goals to cut down the margin and started to believe that we could even the win. Old Xavs replied with a goal which was quickly answered by us. In the Old Xavs kicked a couple of late goals which made the margin 23 points.
It was a cold and wet day and with only 17 players by plays end the boys should be proud of their efforts. With numbers so tight a late time and venue change had the team on the cusp of a forfeit so a good effort to even take the field and a very brave performance against the top team. The loss leaves us having to win every game in the run home to make finals and while it’s going to be a tough battle the boys are up for the challenge.
De La Salle 8.9.57
Old Xavs 12.8.80
Goal Kickers: N. Hogan 3, L. Godhino 2, A. Kanellopoulos 2, A. Kneebone
Best Players: J. Terrell, B. Close, A. Kneebone, N. Beaumont, N. Hogan, L. Godhino
Club XVIII
Annual Sunday game where the lunch was more anticipated then the match itself. A slogging win in tough conditions with Oakley and Browning again the standouts.
De La Salle 15.8.98
Monash Blues 3.3.21
Goal Kickers: H. Browning 3, B. Oakley 2, T. Kovarik 2, J. Comerford 2, Z. Dickinson 2, N. Stewart , J. Adams , C. Millidonis , T. Leary
Best Players: B. Oakley, H. Browning, S. Byers, C. Hyde, T. Bellomo, T. Nicholas
19 Blues
Do or die against third placed St Kevins where anything less than a win would severely dent our finals aspirations. Sadly a loss looks to have made our situation almost impossible. With 5 games to play we are now relying on a few upsets to keep us in the hunt. Liam Wood had an excellent game and was well supported by Sefton McGraw and Luke Gogis.
De La Salle 3.11.29
St Kevins 7.10.52
Goal Kickers: O. Purton-Smith , D. Anastasio , K. Wallis
Best Players: L. Wood, S. McGraw, L. Gogis, J. Howard, M. Carter, K. Wallis
19 Golds
A long trip down to Peninsula on Saturday, for a game that offered a top 4 spot. We had a couple of late inclusions to give us 18 players, with Will Mackie from year 10 at De La having his first game and Will Agar flying back from UK to play. In terrible conditions both teams started evenly with 2 goals each in first quarter. Tim Shallue and Dylan Cowan good in defence and Dylan Kelly good across the wing. At half time Peninsula edged 5 points in front with Matt Hogan, Damon Grant and Jake Pirovono looking dangerous and Jake kicking a great goal. Nic Haliday, Aaron Hay, Harry Zaia and Jack Hanley were all good around the clearances. The 3rd quarter saw Peninsula in front with 4 goals to none. Brett Cranage and Lachie Carracher worked hard in defence. Last quarter needed a big effort and De La easily won the quarter, although we could not convert shots on goal kicking 1 goal 4 points and holding Peninsula to no score. Matt Hogan ended the day with 1 Goal 6 points. Now one game out of top 4 and still a chance with 5 games to go. Like the thirds we were on the cusp of a forfeit on Friday before scratching together 18 in a must win game. We were in it all day but an inability to covert when on top hurt in the end.
De La Salle 5.15.45
Peninsula 8.10.52
Goal Kickers: H. Zaia 2, J. Dennehy , J. Pirovano , M. Hogan
Best Players: D. Cowan, H. Zaia, T. Shallue, B. Cranage, D. Grant, A. Hay
Last Modified on 13/10/2013 11:31