Seniors
The gap between the competitions best side and ourselves was ruthlessly exposed today as we were blown away in the second half by an impressive Uni Blacks team.
We were most competitive early and had it not been for some missed opportunities we might have been closer than the 14 point quarter time deficit. For most of the second quarter we matched the Blacks and went in at the main break just 20 points in arrears. Our tackling and pressure could not be faulted but our skills were not quite at the level required. However the second half was all one-way traffic as the Blacks displayed why they are the top team and premiership favourites. They effortlessly found another gear kicking 14 goals to 3 in the second half for a comprehensive victory.
Sometimes you just have to dip your lid to the opposition and today was one of those occasions. Despite trying hard the Blacks were a class above with winners on every line. Post game coach Paul Satterley said he could not question the effort and pointed out that we laid well over 100 tackles. However he highlighted the oppositions work rate and noted that as well as being a skillful team they were prepared to take their game to another level when required.
Highlights were few and far between today. Sam Williams and Tom Moloney were our best performers with Mitch Carney making an impressive debut kicking 3 goals, including a booming set shot with his first kick from beyond the arc. 17 year old Luke Gogis who has been in good form at TAC Cup level also made his debut and while finding the going tough today he will be a very fine player in the future.
Unfortunately our percentage took a hammering today and we now have the job ahead of us across the remaining 6 rounds to make sure we see ‘A’ grade action in 2015.
De La Salle 7.10.52
Uni Blacks 21.11.137
Goal Kickers: M. Carney 3, T. Curry , M. Moore , J. Gotch , T. Humphrey
Best Players: S. Williams, T. Moloney, J. Gotch, T. Kovess, M. Carney, E. Murphy
Reserves
A very spirited performance by the 2s today. Never much in it but the opposition a bit more composed when it mattered. Garrett McDonough in his second game back was outstanding with Tom McMahon also finding some form. Ryan McDonough booting 4 goals.
De La Salle 6.9.45
Uni Blacks 9.6.60
Goal Kickers: R. McDonough 4, D. Craig , S. Woodcock
Best Players: G. McDonough, T. McMahon, R. McDonough, J. Mattiske, S. Lowe, E. Clinch
19 Blues
This week the Blues were down the road at TH King to play St.Kevins, who were 2nd on the ladder. The new grandstand was still under construction and the away rooms were along the boundary line in portable sheds. The ground itself was in pretty good shape, despite recent weather.
We started the first quarter slowly and St.Kevins already had a few goals on the board, before Jackson Wheeler was able to put one thru. Nic Halliday and Aaron Whealey were doing a great job in the ruck and also dropping back to help our defenders. James Howard was strong in defence and getting a few clearances, but St.Kevins were pressing hard and put on 5 goals to our 1 for the quarter.
2nd quarter saw St Kevins come out attacking very strongly and our boys were struggling to defend. Aaron Hay was giving us drive from deep in defence and Dave Marchese was pushing up and down the wing to try and give some run. The quarter was very one sided with St.Kevins kicking 9 and us unable to score.
At the half time break our players committed to lifting their game and as the 3rd quarter started we were immediately on the board with a Dean Krelle goal. Our mid field with Dave Commins, Matt Dumbleton and Sef McGraw were winning the clearances and our young forwards put on a few more goals, kicking 6 for the quarter although St.Kevins were still pressing and also put on 8.
Our boys went into the last quarter trailing by 15 goals and had a big task in front of them. Jack Gava was moved into the mid field and gave us some drive. James Cook scored a goal early, but St.Kevins continued their strong play to put on another 6.
De La Salle 9.7.55
St Kevins 29.14.188
Goal Kickers: J. Wheeler 2, D. Krelle 2, J. Cooke 2, M. Mullaly , D. Marchese
Best Players: N. Halliday, A. Wheatley, J. Howard, D. Marchese, M. Dumbleton, S. McGraw
19 Golds
Sometimes a reality check is a good thing - and the Golds copped a big reality check at Boss James reserve when they played Hampton Rovers. The game was played on a great ground which outside of being a bit sticky and slippery in the middle is one that really should meet the needs of De La well, but the Golds didn't turn up to play.
There are a lot of things that are outside of our control and being a second team means that most weeks we come across a first or only team and as such it can sometimes be a challenge, however to the credit of the boys we have turned up each week and been ready to meet that challenge head on, however yesterday we did not.
Hampton were a completely different team to the one we met earlier in the season - there would have been a conservative 15 changes and they were a much bigger, fitter and stronger team and it showed - to lose by 48 points was testament to the efforts of the few who stood head and shoulders above the contest and won their individual battle.
As is the way we had a number of changes with Matt Colak the 16 year old ruckman joining us, Jack Hanley, Liam Feather, Joel Whitehead, Dan Anastasio, Jack Short, Tom Nicholls and Elliot Avis all out of the team and as such that may have unsettled us, but we have changes each week and the players just need to cope with it.
That said our first quarter was quite good we matched our bigger opponents and the defensive efforts of Dylan Kelly, Liam McCluskey and James Dennehy in forcing turnovers in the front half directly caused 2 goals and we were unlucky to not have been better rewarded by the officials for tackles which spilled the ball or led to incorrect disposal.
Then it started to go all a bit pear shaped, we lost Ollie Milner with a hyper-extended elbow and given he is a player who can penetrate with his kicking it was a bigger loss than we would like to admit. From there we started to probably feel a bit sorry for ourselves, lost focus, were second to the ball and fell away badly. We went in at the half 6 goals down and we were like the boy with the barrow - we had the job ahead of us.
The 3rd saw us lift our effort, and with a few changes we were looking better in patches, with Matt Colak winning the taps we were getting an opportunity to get first hands on it, but were not taking full advantage of that, and as such what should have been clearances were being lost and it became a wrestle to get it out and the bigger bodies of Hampton prevailed.
Overall, the game was gone at half time and as such despite a better effort we weren't really able to bridge the gap, but did stem the tide enough to be much more competitive and not allow the result to blow out as it threatened to do. To hold a team to 5 goals in the second half was a good outcome, given the ease with which they kicked 7 in the second showed what happens when they get their heads together, but the start time was 2.00pm, not 3.15 when the game recommended after the break.
In the second half we were well served by Lachie Carracher who gave us a terrific contest in the middle, Stefan Taranto in his run with role who won contest and should have been rewarded by the umpires, Hamish Wardlaw who went to full back and held the tall target well, but it was a dirty day for the Golds.
Better players for the whole day were Liam McCluskey in his best game for the year, Stefan Taranto in his run with role, Michael Lee with 4 goals amidst some close treatment which was missed (when a jumper is held, or a punch to the back of the noggin is there it needs to be recognised), and then there were a lot of bits and pieces efforts, but not enough full game efforts. But it also showed quite comprehensively that training helps and we don't get enough blokes committed each week to train and as such when we come across a team building like they are we look terrible.
We now need to bounce back next week as we play Peninsula away (again) and it has taken on much bigger significance given that result and it will require a much bigger and more sustained effort for the whole game game.
De La Salle 9.5.59
Hampton Rovers 16.11.107
Goal Kickers: M. Lee 4, S. Vawser , L. McCluskey , J. Dennehy , J. Cox , D. Cowan
Best Players: L. McCluskey, S. Taranto, H. Wardlaw, J. Dennehy, M. Lee, M. Colak
Last Modified on 20/07/2014 19:53