SENIORS
In the context of the season this was a crucial game for both clubs and unfortunately we are left to rue the one that got away. We had plenty of opportunities to win this game but when the siren sounded the opposition were in front and all credit to them.
We started well with Matt Moore on fire. We slipped out to a 4 goal lead with Moore kicking 2 but when his day was finished halfway through the first quarter the match underwent the first of several momentum shifts. Collegians got right on top and when they hit the lead midway though the 2nd they looked on track for a decent halftime lead. We then managed to wrestle back the initiative and some late goals saw us head in at half time 3 goals in front.
The most critical change to the pattern of the game occurred from about half way through the 3rd quarter with the visitors kicking 5 unanswered goals. Most of these resulted from De La turnovers and the opposition were good enough to make us pay. The most disappointing aspect was the ease in which they scored and while we had plenty of the ball our last kick into the forward zone let us down time and again. Still it was still a gettable 8 point deficit at ¾ time and when Dan Close goaled early in the last we looked good things. Unfortunately we then squandered several golden opportunities to take the lead and when some late crucial decisions did not go our way it capped off a very frustrating day. A late goal to Collegians iced the game and they ran out 8 point winners and we are left to ponder what might have been. We dominated for long periods and had countless chances but once again poor finishing in front of goal and turnovers killed us. Away wins against teams of similar standing are critical and with a few big names missing from their line-up Collegians should be rightly pleased with the 4 points today.
De La Salle 11.12.78.
Collegians 13.8.86
Goal Kickers: M. Moore 2, T. Parker , L. Wood , J. Williams , S. Williams , A. Indovino , C. Haley , E. Clinch , T. McMahon , D. Close
Best Players: J. Williams, D. Close, E. Clinch, H. Haley, O. Persson, T. Parker
RESERVES
Probably the best Reserves victory since the 2012 GF. We have enjoyed a good rivalry with the Collegians in recent years and they have been a solid reserves team for a few years now. A lack of depth has made the going tough this season but we have been much better in recent weeks. A tight game all day looked beyond us with 3 players off with concussion and no bench in the last quarter. We hung in but when the visitors led by 19 points with very little time left on the clock we needed a miracle. An amazing finish as we piled on 4 goals in 5 minutes with 3 of those occurring without the opposition touching the footy. We hit the lead with under a minute left and managed to hold them out for a memorable victory. Kneebone and Hyland exceptional and Matt Hogan the matchwinner with several clutch goals late in the game.
De La Salle 10.8.68
Collegians 9.10.64
Goal Kickers: M. Hogan 3, A. Kneebone 2, B. Hill 2, M. De Luca , S. Lowe , J. Slade
Best Players: A. Kneebone, N. Hyland, S. Griffin, K. Grant, J. McKay, M. Hogan
THIRDS
A quick scan of the opposition pre game and you could sense we were in a spot of bother. A full bench, an army of water boys and a cast of young looking helpers suggested we were up against a team for which you had to train to get a game. We, on the other hand, are still pulling people in off the streets to just to make up the numbers and to train is something you get to go to work from the station behind the ground. As expected despite trying pretty hard they were way to fit and skilled for us and cruised to big win. No questioning the efforts of those out there today but quite simply until we get blokes committed to training, playing and improving we are going to battle. On a positive we did have a bench today and if we keep at it the results will come.
De La Salle 2.4.16
Collegians 24.24.168
Goal Kickers: P. Proy , N. Hogan
Best Players: B. Humphrey, N. Hogan, P. Hatch, K. Ellis, D. Conway, R. Kemp
19 BLUES
This week required a few early conversations with the VAFA, after Old Melbournains had forfeited their game last weekend and whether they would have a team to play. Late in the week we were told that OMs would be fielding a side and game was on as normal. We travelled down to Albert Park prepared for a good contest.
1st quarter saw James Howard and Darcy Craig jump out of the box with several goals. Through the middle Nic Halliday and Matt Dumbleton were giving De La first use of the ball and some great delivery into forwards. De La had 17 inside 50’s to OMs 7 and kicked 6 goals to 1.
2nd quarter began in a similar fashion with De La pressing forward. Mase Martinez and Jamie O’Sullivan were giving plenty of run off half back, while Jake Pirovano and Dean Krelle were providing some other good targets up forward and scored a couple of goals each. Again De La dominated inside 50s 18 to 6 and scoring 7 goals to OMs 1. At half time De La lead 13-10 to 2-2.
3rd quarter OMs started well with a couple of goals. De La needed to steady and Aaron Hay and Dave Commins worked hard down back to repel attacks. Dave Marchese , Sef McGraw and Hamish Ramsay were running the lines through the middle and gave our forwards plenty of opportunities. For the quarter De La had 7 goals to OMs 2.
Final quarter had De La leading by 16 goals, but it was important for the Players to finish off the game at a high standard. Hamish Curtis had been great all day in the mid field and kept up his strong attack on the ball. Jack Gava went forward and immediately kicked a couple of goals. Dean Krelle and James Howard were also on the board with another couple each. De La winning the quarter with 7 goals to 2.
On the day De La had several multiple goal kickers, with James Howard getting 8, Dean Krelle 4 and Darcy Craig 3 and 11 players overall hitting the score board .
Next week we are away to 3rd placed Xavier.
De La Salle 27.25
Old Melburnians 5.3.33
Goal Kickers: J. Howard 8, D. Krelle 4, D. Craig 3, J. Gava 3, D. Marchese 2, H. Curtis 2, J. Pirovano 2, S. McGraw , M. Dumbleton , L. Feather
Best Players: M. Dumbleton, J. Pirovano, J. Howard, M. Martinez, D. Commins, J. O''Sullivan
19 GOLDS
An early morning kick off at Harry Trott reserve where 2 teams who were their clubs respective 2nd under 19 teams played off in what was a pretty entertaining match.
With a small matter of 10 changes from the previous week it was probably going to be a bit of a make or break game for the Golds, however as was pointed out last week in the match report - goals are ok, but players need to buy into them for them to be effective.
With the on-field team much changed it was only fair that the off-field group was changed too with Michael De Luca in Sydney this week at a concrete drying exhibition, and with the coach suffering food poisoning forgetting drink bottles, ice, socks, and carrying 6 less kilograms it was shaping up as an interesting game.
To help inspire the troops the coach reached into his grab bag of inspirational quotes and brought forth Machiavelli and somehow tied that up with footy - don't worry the coach didn't get it either, but the players from an Italian heritage lapped it up.
Our start was pretty good, with a good attack on the footy and overall the team should be recognised for its willingness to play a run and carry game looking to bring the ball through the middle and looking to switch the ball to open sides of the ground, so at least that part of the game plan was covered. All that was required was a four quarter execution of the plan to hopefully bring about the desired result.
With a much revamped side, which included some additions back from the Blues, some 1st gamers and some players returning from injury we started pretty brightly, the only thing lacking was the actual result on the scoreboard, because after 6 or 7 minutes of constant attacking we watched our opponents go up the other end and open the goal scoring.
However, from that we settled down and started to win most of the contested balls, most of the defensive tussles, but were really only breaking even in the middle. So whilst it was a better start than last week, there were still issues we needed to address to better demonstrate our overall superiority we needed to see that on the scoreboard.
Our 2nd quarter was very good and we were very much the better side as both teams headed to the sheds for a chat, a drink (and in Dylan Cowan's case a hurl) to recap and examine the positives and negatives and try to put the game beyond the opposition.
We came out after the break and promptly fell asleep for a little while in the 3rd, and as such gave Collegians a bit of an opening and gave them that small sniff where they probably believed they could win the game which was disappointing. However, to the players credit the last saw us win the game as we were able to run further, run harder for longer and players were committed to working on all aspects of the game - particularly those unglamorous aspects such as tackling, blocking, smothering, making a contest and just be willing to go and help a team mate to help us record a well deserved win.
Pleasing things were the games of Mackie and Wright on the wings, Mullaly, Munday and Dylan Cowan in the middle, Cox and Handley for their leadership and efforts to help direct the traffic on-field. In addition it was great to see McGaw have a terrific game, and his tireless running all day was recognised by all his team mates and the coach. Liam McCluskey kicked 3 and was sharp the efforts of Stewart across half back were good all day along with more concerted efforts from Hyland, Lamoutzis, Dennehy and Wheeler and Wood.
Areas to improve include playing all 4 quarters and probably killing the game off - it is important that we learn to put the opposition away when the ham estate present themselves because sometimes a failure to do so can come back to haunt you.
Overall a good day and one which the players should look to emulate and use as a template for all our games.
The result is probably not as important as we would have liked as this week sees us make the trip to Peninsula who are a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde team. They are terrific at home, but not quite so effective on the road, and this week it looms as another one of those games which the Golds need to play well across the whole 4 quarters to get the result they want if they want to maintain their status in the upper echelons of the ladder. It is now 4th V 5th and the winner gets a bit of a mini-break and can look forward to consolidate a spot in the 4, whereas the loser joins the pack.
De La Salle 12.11.83
Collegians 9.11.65
Goal Kickers: L. McCluskey 3, J. Hanley 3, W. Wright 2, A. Cowan , J. Dennehy , T. Hyland , J. McGAW
Best Players: J. McGAW, W. Wright, W. Mackie, A. Munday, J. Hanley, D. Cowan
Last Modified on 25/05/2014 19:42