MATCH REPORT – VERMONT v BALWYN
By Peter Booth.
“OUR TEAM VALUES WERE OF THE HIGHEST STANDARD” – Eagles Coach David Banfield after blitzing Balwyn by 132 points.
FINAL SCORE – VERMONT 30-15-195 def BALWYN 9-8-62
A big crowd, opposition coaches and Neale Daniher guest speaker at a huge luncheon. Simon Frankish and Brad Neil replaced the injured Aaron Nummy and the very unlucky Daniel Mendes. It was a day of total Vermont dominance when we consider Balwyn kicked the first and last 2 goals of the day. There wasn’t much in between.
The Colts had a huge win over a combined Balwyn/Templestowe side and the reserves went down narrowly against a VFL stacked Tigers line up.
Balwyn began like a train with the first 2 goals of the match. First goal went to Holmes via Bardon. Greig handballed to Brad Cullen for a major then Millhouse kicked a long one. Balwyn’s flying start was short lived. Our tackling and intensity was fantastic and at no stage did it drop. A snap goal by Bardon who was playing as he left off last week. Greig got a free and goaled then (yes) Bardon again gave to Brad Cullen for our 6th for the quarter. At ¼ time we led 6-4-40 to 3-1-19.
In the second term the Tigers kicked the first of their 2 but we kicked 8 to take a stranglehold on the result. The backline was terrific led by O’Grady and Papillo. O’Grady handballed to Millhouse for a goal. Dinneen played on quickly from a free kick and set up a great team goal with Holmes on the end of the chain. Greig was off target during this period otherwise we could have been miles ahead. Cassidy made a team lifting smother, he was later to dislocate his shoulder. Dinneen was leading by example with his tackling and harassing. Holmes to Froud for a goal. Waller was defending well in defence and all day made the right decision when to punch or not. Bardon goaled after one of Waller’s defensive spoils. Hall who again was magnificent got the centre tap straight to Morse who converted on the run. Papillo show tremendous courage in a wonderful defensive run and when the ball rebounded he was there to mark. Dinneen’s tackle created a Froud goal then Hall, Morse and Bardon combined for a Greig goal. It was a demoralising quarter for Balwyn which saw them completely blown away. On the siren Bardon to Greig for a late goal. At ½ time we led by 61 points. I wonder what those opposition coaches in the crowd were thinking. Better Players for the half were – Bardon, B.Cullen, O’Grady, Morse, Hall, Cassidy, Papillo, Dinneen and Millhouse.
½ Time score – Vermont14-9-93 to Balwyn 5-2-32
The 3rd quarter was a whitewash - we kicked 9-5 to 2 behinds in an awesome display. Brad Cullen kicked his 3rd after great forward pressure by Froud and Greig. Bardon got a free, advantage was paid and Mullett finished it off. O’Grady’s handpass saw Frankish kick a rare running goal. The backline was terrific Williams and the crew. It was good to see McCarthy hitting his defensive straps with close body play, spoils and the occasional dash. The whole team was fully involved in the contest. Greig goaled from Dinneen but it started with a Morse tackle. Disaster as Cassidy went off with a dislocated shoulder. Hopefully he will be back after the Queen’s Birthday break. Brad Cullen kicked his 4th then Hall’s superb ruckwork gave Bardon a flying start out of the middle and he gave to Millhouse who converted. Bardon kicked a long one then to finish off the quarter Greig kicked another thanks to Dinneen and Mullett. Balwyn went to the break completely shell shocked. We led by 117 points.
At ¾ time – Vermont 23-14-152 to Balwyn 5-5-35.
We kicked 7 goals to 4 in the last quarter. It began with a great build up when Greig passed to Talevski for his first for the day. Hall another copybook ruck tap straight to Bardon who goaled. Mullett was getting plenty of the ball up and down the corridor. Millhouse who was grand all day with his strong marking helped Greig kick his 7th. Greig finally found his kicking boots after being astray earlier. New boy Webster was getting plenty of the ball and is fitting in very nicely and gave to Morse who goaled. Morse was everywhere. Morse goaled again from Millhouse then Williams to Millhouse for another. After “dancing with the stars” Greig kicked our last, Balwyn scored 2 belated goals. Vermont winners by 132 points.
Better Players in second half – Bardon, B.Cullen, Hall, Morse, Papillo, Mullett, O’Grady, Dinneen, Millhouse, Greig and a special mention to Waller for his defensive spoils.
Goalkickers – Greig 8, B.Cullen, Millhouse and Bardon 4, Morse 3, Froud and Holmes 2 and singles to Talevski, Mullett and Frankish.
Best Players – Bardon, Hall, O’Grady, Morse, Greig, Dinneen, B.Cullen, Millhouse, Mullett, Papillo, Holmes, Webster and Cassidy(until injured). # Everybody made a major contribution.
Possessions – B.Cullen 28, Bardon 27, Mullett 26, Webster 25, Dinneen 24, O’Grady 22 and 19 each to McCarthy, Frankish and Holmes.
1% - McCarthy 19, Dinneen 14, Cassidy 12 with O’Grady and Morse11. # Millhouse took 11 marks with Mullett and Greig 10 each.
Coach’s Comments – Congratulations on the way you went about it. The team values were of the highest standard. You should be on cloud nine knowing you are the real deal.
RESERVES FINAL SCORE – BALWYN 13-14-92 def VERMONT 13-8-86
The reserves were strengthened by the inclusion of McLure for his first game this year, Mendes dropping back and Dell’Aquilla returning.
Balwyn kicked the first 4 goals before Dell’Aquilla goaled followed by Beed who received from Dressing. Mendes, Dorbolo and Rushton were prominent. Balwyn led 4-4 to 2-1 at ¼ time.
We kicked 5 goals in the 2nd term. Dell’Aquilla twice, Rosewarne, Mendes and Conroy. As I was hosting the lunch again my spies tell be Mendes, Chandler and Dell’Aquilla were among our best for the quarter. Scores were close at ½ time but I didn’t get them having other duties.
Dell’Aquilla kicked the first after the break and others came from Bordin who received from Rosewarne, Dorbolo and Ford. I was told McLure, Rushton and Smith were among our best.
Dell’Aquilla kicked his 5th in the last quarter and the scores were tight. At the finish we had chances to win it but fell down at full forward with Balwyn taking 2 saving marks in the dying moments. Balwyn won by 6 points.
Goalkickers – Dell’Aquilla 5 with singles to Beed, Rosewarne, Mendes, Conroy, Bordin, Dorbolo, Ford and McLure.
Coach’s Best Players – Dell’Aquilla, Rushton, Mendes, Dorbolo, McLure, Smith and Josh Davis.
Coach’s Comments – We started slowly. Our work rate and pressure was good. In the last quarter we had about 15 minutes where we turned the ball over too many times with major skill errors. We are still in it.
COLT’S FINAL SCORE
VERMONT 34-22-228 def BALWYN/TEMPLESTOWE 2-2-14
After last weeks shock loss the boys were on a mission against ordinary opposition.
We kicked 8-4 to nil in the first quarter. McDonald kicked 2 goals with singles to Handley, McInerney, Siakavelis, Debney, Johnson and McKernan. Among our early best were Dore, McInerney, McDonald, Bull who was good across half back, Handley, Siakavelis and Bird. At ¼ time we led by 52 points
We kicked 6-6 to 1 goal in the 2nd term. Huisman tacled strongly for a gaol. McDonald who was great snapped another. Murphy passed to Huisman for his second then Dore goaled. Balwyn posted it’s first score midway through the term. McKernan gave to Dore who goaled then after a terrific backline build up Bull goaled. At half time we led by 88 points. Better players for the half were – Dore, McDonald, McInerney, Handley, Huisman, Debney, Siakavelis, Bird, Bull and Johnson.
½ Time – Vermont 14-10-94 to B/T 1-0-6
After the break 3 quick goals from Huisman, Siakavelis and Cameron. McDonald goaled after a bad kick in then a flurry of majors from Debney, McDonald then Handley was in the build up for the next 2 goals to McInerney and Debney. It was to be a massive quarter kicking 13-6 to 1 behind. Dore kicked 3 before the break, McInerney the other and Geraghty after receiving from McDonald who was having a wonderful game. At ¾ time we led by 171 points.
We kicked 7 goals to 1 in the last quarter. Goals came from Debney and McInerney twice with singles to Dore, Handley and Cameron. Vermont winning by 214 points.
Goalkickers – Dore 6, McDonald and Debney 5, McInerney 4, Handley and Huisman 3, Siakavelis and Cameron 2 with singles to McKernan, Johnson Geraghty and Bull.
Coach’s Best – Every Player with no exception. A complete team performance.
Coach’s Comments – We had 22 passengers last week and 23 winners this week. They executed the game plan. When your head is right and you come to play you are a good side. Tried things and gave every player a go in the last quarter.
Last Modified on 05/05/2008 21:23