There was a great Haileybury crowd and a fantastic atmosphere on Saturday for what proved to be a classic Preliminary Final.
Another weekend of footy so taking on Kevin Saber and the garden has to wait for another week at least! A Grand Final awaits so it is time to get really excited. I encourage ALL supporters (and it WAS terrific to see so many there on Saturday) to get down on Thursday night and to the game on Saturday.
So to the game and in conditions which were a complete contrast to the previous week, the game ebbed and flowed all day. Blacks probably had the better start but were unable to exert any scoreboard pressure. So when that cool dude Alexander Johnston kicked our first major we took the lead kicking towards the city end. It was a good start and Vossy soon added another. Things were going quite well. There was good run from the backline and Combi was asserting his authority showing he was in for another good game. We went into the first break with a handy 17 point lead.
The second quarter opened in similar fashion except this time Blacks converted. It was a high standard game with the players appreciating the opportunity to actually run on top of the ground. Spencer Roberts was again getting plenty of the ball, Morro and
Laz were winning in the middle and Hammer was proving strong across half back. We were playing some good attacking football, but like Blacks, probably didn't put enough on the board. Vossy got another as did Al. We had a little snooze there for a while which allowed Blacks to get right back into the game. The boys were obviously saving themselves for the second half!
At the main break we were behind by five points. The faithful were wondering how the boys would fare given the hard slog from the previous week and we were about to find out. It was a good even contest and the crowd was getting right into the game. Once again Blacks got a better start but it was Sammy who got the first major for the quarter. The backline was holding up well and Blacks only kicked one goal for the quarter. Al and Vossy were once again amongst the goalkickers with Vossy taking the Mark of the Year in front of the adoring magenta and black fans. Indeed the speccy was soon followed by a strong chestmark against two Blacks opponents. Vintage Vossy. Browny and Gledders was also getting plenty of the ball and so we went into the orange break with a seven point advantage. The boys were holding up well.
And then the magnificent last quarter began. I say magnificent because that is exactly what it was. You could sense that one side was going to erupt and it turned out to be the mighty Bloods. Again we had to withstand Blacks having an early crack but a couple of goals from Vossy and Fordy stretched the lead. At the ten minute mark we were four goals in front and travelling pretty well. It seemed they were waiting for us to slow but they were in for a shock cos the boys just kept a coming. Spencer Roberts was doing a great job in the middle, if not winning the ball then at least preventing Blacks from gaining the clearance. "Lazy" Liam Donnelly was right in the thick of it as he had been all day as were Pitch and Stowey who were the last bastion back there in defence.There wasn't a really defining moment, but we were simply playing some really good footy and when Laz kicked truly when on the run, then it was time to start thinking about Grand Finals.
Vossy was named (not surprisingly) as the 96.5 Inner FM Best on Ground.
So we have a Grand Final to play and a lot of hard work off the field to get through. But for now it is all about next Saturday. The players and coaching support staff deserve a win for their efforts throughout the year which began last November.
Let's all get down there on the weekend (and Thursday) and demonstrate some real Haileybury support. It is going to be a fantastic day. Old Carey are beatable and we have the side, that, if they play like they did yesterday, to knock them off.
OLD HAILEYBURY
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5
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3
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8
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5
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11
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9
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18
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11
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119
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UNI BLACKS
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2
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5
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8
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10
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9
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14
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11
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18
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84
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OLD HAILEYBURY
Goal Kickers: B. Voss 6, A. Johnston 4, K. Ford 3, S. Casey 2, A. Brown , S. Langford-Jones , L. Siapantas
Best Players: D. Comben, D. Mason, B. Voss, M. Stowe, S. Langford-Jones, H. McLauchlan
THE WEEK AHEAD
In chronological order -
** Sunday - recovery for players and spectators!
** Thursday Night - Training Night - Watch them train, hear the Premiership team named and have a bite to eat - all reserves, U19's and past players, all members, all parents, all Old Haileyburians, in deed all supporters - U are invited. Training starts at 6.15pm at McKinnon.
** Friday - St Kevins are holding their annual pre A and B pre Grand Final luncheon at Leonda. Ian Cover is the host and there will be a plethora of VAFA dignitaries attending including yours truly and Bonnas. Tickets are $130 a head. Let me know if you would like to attend. I will be going and would love other supporters to come as Old Carey appear to have a couple of tables.
** Saturday - Game Day - Now there is definitely a VAFA Official Luncheon this weekend so all supporters are welcome. More details will be available during the week. It would be great to get a good crew along.
** Celebrations - It will be back to McKinnon after the win on Saturday for some celebrations.
AFL GRAND FINAL BREAKFAST
This is the club's biggest fund raiser for the year so we encourage all supporters to come along and enjoy an extremely jovial morning with some of Australia's best comedians. This is the 34th running of the breakfast.
You get a fully cooked breakfast and beverages and will be entertained by Moosehead Award Winner Brad Oakes, 10 times Mo Award winner Darren Carr and funnyman Des Dowling. There will be plenty of sporting auction items and giveaways. It is a terrific morning that really gets the day off to a flying start.
Victoria University is centrally located in Flinders Street so it is easy to get anywhere when festivities cease.
So come along, even get a table together, and support the club. I guarantee you will have a great morning. Details and a booking form are attached.
VOTE COUNT AND PRESENTATION NIGHT
We are putting the finishing touches to arrangements for the Vote Count and Presentation Night. At this stage they look like being on Sunday 19th of September at the New Bay and Friday 1st of October but we shall confirm that shortly.
Last Modified on 13/01/2011 23:06