FIRSTS - Congratulations to Nathan O'Connell who played his 150th Murray Football League senior match last weekend against Deniliquin.
There were four changes from the side that demolished Finley the week before; Dave Farrell, Ash Crawford and Ben Wilson were attending the wedding of past player Paul Quick while Cheech (P Cochrane) was suffering the effects of the flu. Toc welcomed back Nathan O'Connell to the side and also first senior game players for the year in Shaun Finnigan, Tim Brunskill and Glenn Dundovic. Young Nick Mellington started in the ruck while Dundovic took position in the centre half forward position. A few minutes of feeling each other out started the game before Dundovic showed real class taking a mark before turning onto his right and kicking to the top of the square where Head took a great mark. Toc were on the board and the two big men looking the goods. Mellington continued to give our onballers first look at the footy and their dominance allowed Dundas and Head to kick a couple each. Their dominance saw Resuggan who started in the forward line moved to Dundovic, but there was too much fire power in the forward line and great vision from both Robertson and Warnett saw JRC get his first for the day. Tocumwal skipped out to a four goal lead at the first change.
Bartlett started the second quarter in the middle, with it paying immediate dividends. The Man with the Hair started gathering kicks at will, a long kick to Robbo and a strong mark saw him spot up Head in the square for him to kick his third, Dundovic also picked up from where he left off in the 1st quarter showing great hands and kicking truly, the supporters in the stands had already adopted him and were calling him a local. Mellington Snr was getting under Marshall's skin and a 50m penalty saw him spot up a hard running JK who in turn set up Dundas for his fourth. Toc then went to sleep in latter half of the quarter and Deni started to get on top. If a side needed any inspiration, they got it in their captains 100m chase of a Deni player, although in vain it showed his determination and willingness to never give up. At the main change Toc led by 4 goals but Deni went into the break with all the momentum.
Deni started the 3rd like they finished the 2nd and got to within 12 points before Logie started to dominate and kick start the Toc side. Dundas was showing all the skills with great vision to set up Robbo for his second, young Robbo on the wing was showing courage beyond his years despite the close attention of the Deni players. Last years O'Dwyer Medallist showed why he is the best in and under player in the league, getting under the packs and winning the hard ball. The captain was outstanding taking mark after mark, distributing to The Man with the Hair, whose penetrating kicks were putting the Deni defence under pressure. The goals started to come with Warnett, Shiels, Dundovic, JK and JRC all getting on the score sheet. An eight goal quarter to one put the game out of reach for Deni and at the last change Dundas had seven and Shielsy 4.
Toc could have played out the last quarter, but their intensity and willingness to handball, run and work for each other was outstanding. Mell Snr and the Captain were outstanding through the middle and The Man with the Hair didn't have an opponent as his penetrating kicks continued. Toc's determination to win the ball was evident all over the ground with 252 games Baldy working hard which allowed Mell Snr to run like a startled gazelle through the middle before a beautifully weighted kick sent to Robbo who kicked his 4th. Sheilsy who was not to be outdone by the first gamer gathered the ball in the forward line, after great work from Warnett, he then evaded 17 players before snapping his 5th in a great effort. Deni found it hard to penetrate Toc's backline and easy goals from Robertson and even one to The Voice topped off a great display to boot 8 goals to 1 in the last quarter and soundly defeated the previously undefeated Rams.
RESERVES - We faced the Deni Rams who were just percentage above us on the ladder. In a low scoring affair the boys were unable to get the 4 points. They started off well with a lot of endeavour and attack on the ball. With only being 2 goals down at half time they were still in the hunt. But football is about 4 quarters and this is an area where we are falling down. We must learn to keep focused and pressure our opponents. Training is another area where we need to improve. Come on let's get on the track boys and make it easier on yourselves and the coaching staff.
THIRDS - Our day started off as a nightmare for our coach Pica, turning up to the ground and having to make four changes. The boys need to let Pica know if they are available or not for the coming week. Let's not wait until Saturday morning for him to find out from someone else. Our defence was under pressure from the first bounce of the game. Mathew Soule and Liam Dakin were trying very hard taking marks and tackling well. Jordan Haynes rucked well, with Dean Keleher trying his hardest. In the second quarter Liam Dakin and Ashley Pollard chased everything that came their way. We had plenty of players willing to do their best in this quarter. Dean Keleher applied some strong tackles in the third quarter but still couldn't overcome the strong Deni side. Unfortunately our forwards didn't see much of the action as Deni were just far too strong. We welcome David Wilson to our team. Let's keep our heads up and think about this week's game against Cobram.
FOURTHS - The game started at 100 miles an hour, and was great to watch as both teams were evenly matched around the ground. A lot of comments from ex-Under 14's, that it was the first time in about 4 or 5 years that we were in front of Deni at half time. Although the scoreline was 3-1 to 1-1, it was a fast flowing game with plenty of hard tackling and skills. Billy Andrew once again put in 100%, Corey Howell was tireless and gained a lot of possession, Harrison Close played with a lot of determination spurring the young Bloods on. Jesse Bunnett played well in the ruck while Jess Koopman and Stephen Patten were kept busy around the ground. Will McDonald and Hugh Haynes were once again under the pump in the third and fourth quarters, when Deni changed their team around. We started off great guys but we fell away in the second half, keep your heads up and stay positive. Thanks to the Deni guys for playing the game in great spirit and giving all your boys a run, good to see a team thinking about the boys football and not the scoreboard. Aslo thanks to Jake and Clay from Deni who helped boost our numbers, you both played great, and those jumpers looked alright too. All the best to Jess Koopman who plays his 50th fourths game today. Well done Jess.
The club would like to thank Chris Jones for the donation of new magnetic coach's boards for all grades and footballs for training.
Tonight after the game against Cobram we will be going back to our clubrooms for the awards and to watch the footy on the big screen. Get along for a casual evening and support the club hopefully with a few wins on the board.
