Seniors
Round 17 saw the long trip to West Essendon to take on 2nd placed St Bernards. The two clubs met in the corresponding game in 2013 played at De La Salle and astute club historian Col Glover pointed out that the 2014 version contained only 6 players from that match just 12 months ago. While that is an extraordinary turn over of players we are buoyed by the imminent return of several of those lads to the line up next season.
Despite the relative ladder position we have been playing reasonable footy in the last few weeks and the feeling before the game was positive. We caused one of the upsets of the season in round 7 when we knocked them off by a point so St Bernards were taking no chances and with some big inclusions they were pretty much at full strength.
The breeze was at its strongest in the first quarter and kicking with the advantage the home side looked very ominous early. Our defence was excellent and with a couple of nice goals against the run of play we were well pleased to go in at the first break just 15 points in arrears. Kicking with the breeze that had abated somewhat we once again we took a while to get going and St Bernards opened up a handy break. But we finished the quarter well and the last 3 goals of the quarter had us within a point at the main break. Both teams a bit frustrated by the officiating which tended to let play go on at all costs only for a ‘soft’ decision to be paid from nowhere. They tend to even up in the end and while neither side was particularly disadvantaged you could sense some confusion amongst the players.
Again in the third quarter the home side looked set to run away with the game and with the ball locked in their forward zone for long periods you wondered when the resistance would be broken. Once again our team dug deep. The defence continued to be resolute and our on-ballers did not allow the talented St Bernards mids any free space. We managed some late goals (2 beauties and G.O.T.Y contenders from Kneebone and Indovino) that had us right back in the game. Trailing by just 2 goals with some momentum you could sniff another upset. Our cause not helped in the second half with a couple of injuries restricting the rotations. This included the dangerous Charlie Haley whose day (and maybe season) was finished just after half time with a shoulder injury.
Unfortunately the last quarter was all St Bernards. We were still in it mid way through the last and had a long shot from young Luke Gogis gone through instead of hitting the woodwork we would have been within 2 kicks. As goods sides do they found another gear from that point to run out comfortable winners. We battled hard but lacked the class of the opposition when it counted.
St Bernards are a star-studded team with 2 very tall marking forwards, ex West Coast Eagle Chad Jones and Andrew Merrington (who I believe also spent time on an AFL list). We kept them both well in check most of the day but we could not contain Gleeson. His 6 goals were telling and his finishing in tricky, blustery conditions was a real feature.
We left nothing in the tank and it was a brave effort against a quality side on their home deck. That being said it was a very disappointing last quarter while we had some excellent performers too many players and no real impact today. Matt Fieldsend, enjoying a terrific season played a super captains game. Tom Curry continued his impressive recent form. He looks all class and we can’t wait to see how good he will be with an injury free pre-season under his belt. Speaking of class Adrian Indovino has it spades and with 4 goals put in another outstanding game for someone so young. Dan Close has had a terrific season and was amongst the best again today, having the better of ex Carlton player Adam Bentick. Tom Humphrey, probably the stand out player this season, was typically tough and desperate with reliable defender Tom Moloney again rock solid. Oakley and Gotch also solid contributors
Next week our final game for the season when we take on a rejuvenated Old Trinity at home who will be playing for the last remaining finals spot. While we now have a decent % break on Old Brighton (who play Old Xavs away next week) we still need a win to absolutely guarantee our place in the top division for 2015.
Our lads have been under the pump all season and despite being undermanned have never given up. In fact through adversity we have uncovered some real gems who will be regular senior players going forward. It has only really been Uni Blacks that have got hold of us and most weeks we have given a decent account of ourselves.
We are on the cusp of shoring up a spot in ‘A’ grade and the players would love to see the same support next week as we had for the Old Brighton game. We ask all supporters and past, present and future players to please make the effort to get to the “Bell” next week.
De La Salle 10.9.69
St Bernards 15.17.108
Goal Kickers: A. Indovino 4, T. Curry 2, T. McMahon , A. Kneebone , M. Fieldsend , D. Lowe
Best Players: , M. Fieldsend , T. Curry , D. Close , T. Humphrey , A. Indovino , T. Moloney
Reserves
Despite battling hard we were no match for the competition leaders. In a tough season we are a genuine chance to record a win next week.
De La Salle 10.9.69
St Bernards 15.18.108
Goal Kickers: E. Clinch , J. Oakley , H. Haley , S. Lowe
Best Players: , S. Lowe , J. Oakley , H. Haley , N. Hyland , J. Ramsden , E. Clinch
19 Blues
It was the last round of the year for the Blues and we were at home to St.Kevins, who were sitting 2nd on the ladder. This would be the 3rd time we had played each other, due to the uneven draw this year in u19 Premier division.
The sun was shining, conditions were great and our ground in good shape for footy. We started well with Aaron Wheatley scoring our 1st goal early. Hamish Ramish and Matt Dumbleton giving us plenty of drive thru the middle. We scored 2 goals to St.Kev’s 5 in first quarter.
The 2nd quarter saw St.Kev’s bigger and taller players start to take over. Our running players were trying to break up the game, with Sef McGraw and Mase Martinez winning the ball from stoppages and giving us some attacking options. But St.Kev’s were to strong and put on 7 goals, while we failed to score.
At the break De La were trialling by over 10 goals and our players were asked to take on the game to get us back into the contest. Nic Halliday continued to battle on strongly against St.Kevs bigger players and was also dropping back to help our defenders. Aaron Hay seemed to be in every ground contest trying to get a clearance and Jack Gava was providing us with a marking target all around ground. But St.Kevs scored another 4 goals to our 1, leaving us a big target for the last quarter.
Going into the last quarter for the year our players were pretty tired from battling the bigger St.Kevs players and we again failed to score. St.Kevs scored another 6 goals and ran out easy winners.
It has been a hard year for the Blues, as we were clearly under sized this year. But on a positive note we have played a large number of the younger group through the team and this should stand us in good stead into the future, particularly with the Golds finishing 3rd and playing in the final series.
It is also very important that I thank the volunteers who have helped me this year.
Firstly Marty Kelliher, who has helped me from day one in preseason, in getting down the school and talking to the students and putting the playing group together. Marty also coached the Golds this year, and was assisted by Michael De Luca, who never missed a session to help.
Barry Howard, as our team manager for 2nd year in a row, has been magnificent , (also helping out Marty with Golds). Barry took on an enormous workload this year to help get both teams on the ground. Barry was crucial in getting the 60 odd players registered on our u19 list this year, also went about organising jumpers, socks and just about everything else they needed to play. Well done Baz on a great year.
Mark Cook and Warren Wheatley, were my Asst Coaches this year, (Warren also as part time Runner in later half of year). Both have been there from the start of preseason back in November and were instrumental in getting the team out on the ground each week and helping to develop the players.
Josh Zoot-Saunders, as our head trainer, for 2nd year in a row. Again Josh has been with the team since preseason and he has been invaluable with the help & advice to me and players on injuries and rehab. Also to Cass, Lauren and Bernie, as trainers who supported the players on training nights and game days.
To all the player family members and supporters-who manned the goals or time keeper roles during the year. We could not have had a game without your help
Finally to all the Committee and Satts, I offer my sincere thanks for your help and support in a difficult year.
De La Salle 3.2.20
St Kevins 24.20.164
Goal Kickers: A.Wheatley. J.Pirovano. M.Dumbleton
Best Players: S.McGraw. J.Gava. M.Martinez. N.Halliday. A.Hay. M.Dumbleton. D.Commins. J.Howard.
19 Golds
The last game of the home and away season was pretty anti-climactic in many ways as Collegians were not in contention for finals and De La were safely in third spot on the ladder and the players probably had their minds on next week.
Sometimes games like this can descend into farce as players can lose focus and the less salubrious aspects of the game can come to the fore, so it is credit to the players on both sides that in a game with not to really play for the ball was always the focus of the players and they just got on with it.
The game saw a number of changes to the team – as happens each and every week – no such luxury for the Golds to have a settled 24 or 28 players to pick from each week. So this week there were 7 changes as work, study, family, and injuries along with players moving into the Under 19 premier team forced our hand a little.
The game was pretty forgettable in many ways as there was absolutely no intensity to the game at all. The coach did lambast the players about this at ½ time and remind them that the intensity has to come from them and they shouldn’t wait for the energy to come from him.
However, there was a form of perverse symmetry to the game, as the Golds kicked 7.10 in the 1st half and courtesy of 2.8 in the last able to kick 7.10 in the 2nd half of the game. For the watching coach of Hampton Rovers they would have seen sloppy skills, poor field kicking with a number of turnovers, kicks being sent out of bounds, bouncing oddly and eluding outstretched hands and players happy to just run around in the sun.
There was a fairly swirly breeze gusting across the ground and in fairness to all players it did make executing skills pretty hard, but there were a couple of good things we were able to take from the game. We are a better side when we play with a bit of intensity, and look to pressure the opposition, we are a better team that we displayed against Collegians and next week offers an opportunity to the players to see if we are worthy of making finals.
Highlights included Dan Anastasiou getting some more game time, Dylan Kelly ran hard, we are better with Michael Lee up forward, Jack Hanley is better when he works on all aspects of his game, Dean Krelle gives us increased flexibility as he can play multiple roles, and the coach has a few selection headaches coming up.
In closing it was great to see that in the Under 19 South team of the year the Golds had a couple of players selected – and congratulations are extended to Stefan Taranto and Hamish Wardlaw both of whom are current Year 12 students and have 2 more years each of Under 19 footy ahead of them.
Next Saturday we are playing in the 1st semi final against Hampton Rovers who have strung together 8 wins including defeating us a few weeks ago, so we look forward to seeing how we go in looking to extend our season.
De La Salle 14.20.104
Collegians 5.4.34
Goal Kickers: M. Mullaly 3, T. Hyland 3, T. Nicholls 2, M. Laoumtzis , A. De Luca , J. Hanley , T. Brasher , J. Stewart , S. Taranto
Best Players: , D. Anastasio , S. Taranto , M. Mullaly , A. Munday , D. Kelly , T. Hyland
Last Modified on 25/08/2014 17:53