Seniors
After letting a winnable game slip last week we were really up against it today when we took on 2nd placed St Bernards. The Snowdogs are the form side of the competition and have been undefeated since a narrow loss to Trinity in round 1. They are a strong team with a number of ex AFL players. This includes competition leading goal kicker, ex Eagle Chad Jones and ex Carlton mid Adam Bentick who many good judges rate as the best player in the comp. Across the first 6 rounds our effort could not be questioned but on class alone this looked a big ask and would require a whole team performance.
In perfect conditions on what is now a beautiful Waverley Park deck we had the better of the first quarter and really should have led by more than 14 points at the first break. Tom Curry impressive and Ed Clinch finding plenty of the ball early on.
The second was a disaster. A some early opportunities to extend the lead were squandered it was all St Bernards. We battled hard but the result was a 4 goal to zero quarter and a 9 point half time deficit. In tight games like this we really need more composure in front of goals with some golden opportunities going begging.
The second half was a great display of hard running, contested football from both sides. The teams traded goals with neither side able to gain any real momentum. A few times the visitors looked like breaking it open but our defence stood firm under enormous pressure. We had pegged the lead back to 3 points at the last change.
An epic last quarter. We edged in front early with a Jake Williams goal on the run but the Snowdogs replied immediately. A long period of tense football followed with visitors clinging to a slender lead. A brilliant mark in the square from Charlie Haley and we again had our nose in front and when Tom Curry snapped another soon the lead was 7 points. Approaching time on we had a good opportunity to extend the lead even further but a point resulted. Sure enough the ball traveled coast to coast and into the arms of St Bernards forward. To the howls of the De La faithful a 25 metre penalty bought him to within distance and he made no mistake. Shades of last week when soon after, despite a unanimous appeal for touched by the De La defenders, the snap was given the all clear and St Bernards led again. But there was yet another twist to this absorbing contest. At the 28 minute mark with the ball deep in our forward zone Charlie Haley beat 2 opponents and handballed to an unguarded Tyson Parker in the square to put us back in front.
The remainder of the game (which seemed like an eternity) was pretty much played in the St Bernards forward line. After 2- 3 minutes of stoppages and the clock ticking over 32 minutes an errant clearance was marked by a St Bernards about 45 metres from goal. The shot to win the game was accurate but punched though just short of the line - lead now 1 point! . The timekeepers kept us on the edge of the seat for a bit longer before mercifully sounding the siren as the resulting kick in was contested on the half back line.
Special mention to Charlie Haley. Chuck, who incurred the wrath of the coach for some undisciplined acts, responded brilliantly in the last quarter, winning several crucial contests to kick 1 goal and then set up the winner. A good blend of young and old amongst the best today. Ruckmen Oscar Persson was outstanding. Adrian Indovino has seamlessly transitioned into senior football since his call up from the 19s a few weeks back. The return of veteran defender Jack Jarvis to the side has really shored up the defence and he turned back the clock today. Co captains Gotch and Fieldsend were great 4 quarter contributors. A good effort from the defenders as St Bernards have some very talented tall forwards and despite pretty good supply we managed to negate them for most of the day.
So the roller coaster season continues. In such a tight season the bitter disappointment of letting one slip last week is tempered somewhat as we bag a crucial 4 points to remain both in touch with the four and have our necks in front of those in the dreaded drop zone.
This was good win against a quality side. St Bernards will be right amongst it come finals time.
Another massive game after the break when we take on Old Xavs at Toorak Park. They find themselves in very unfamiliar territory and will be desperate for a win.
Well done to both teams today for putting on such an entertaining contest.
De La Salle 11.10.76
St Bernards 11.9.75
Goal Kickers: T. Curry 2, L. Wood 2, C. Haley 2, A. Indovino 2, T. Parker , J. Williams , D. Close
Best Players: O. Persson, L. Jarvis, J. Gotch, M. Fieldsend, J. Williams, A. Indovino
Reserves
St Bernards strong right through the grades this year with their 2s undefeated on top of the ladder. Despite a much better showing in recent week we are at the other end of the table. For a quarter and half we stuck with our more fancied opposition but once the floodgates opened they cruised to a big win. A very disappointing effort in the second half as the Snowdogs pretty much did as they pleased. Kneebone and Forato very good contributors.
De La Salle 4.9.33
St Bernards 18.6.114
Goal Kickers: A. Forato 2, S. Hogan , B. Hill
Best Players: A. Kneebone, A. Forato, R. McDonough, J. McKay, N. Hyland, L. Williams
19 Blues
Blues were away to Xavier at Stradbroke Park this week. Xavier was 3rd on the ladder and had beaten us earlier in the year. We were still missing a few players with Az Wheatley out with ribs, Scott Vawser broken thumb, Matt Colac ankle and Simon Marcheses hip
1st quarter was very even with both sides hitting the contest hard and James Howard on the board early with 2 goals. Down back Brett Cranage had a job on Van Der Haar and was holding him well. Hamish Curtis was up and about through the midfield and showing his usual endeavour in clearances and Dave Marchese was supplying plenty of run thru the lines. Hamish Wardlaw, in his first Blues game, was providing a good lead up option in our forward half. Xavier with 2 late goals was able to finish even for the quarter. De La & Xavier both 2 goals each at the break.
2nd quarter Xavier was off the mark quickly with a couple of goals and starting to get on top around the stoppages. De La was inaccurate in front of goals and Xavier rebound from kick ins was hurting with their quick movement out of defence into forwards. Dean Krelle was dangerous forward and put our only goal on the board. Dave Commins had done a great job holding Sleeman in midfield, switched down back to support our defenders and showed the way with his attack on the ball. De La 1 goal for the quarter while Xavier scored 3 to lead at half time 6-8 to 3-5.
3rd quarter saw Sef McGraw step-up and lead the way thru the midfield and also go forward and score a goal. De La was back and drawing even at stoppages with Matt Dumbleton showing the way and Jake McGaw, in his first Blues game, giving run thru the lines on the wing. Jack Gava was doing a good job down back on Hannan and Brett Cranage continued to give run into attack. De La scored 2 for the quarter and Xavier 3.
Final quarter started with both teams scoring early. Xavier were able to increase pressure in midfield and give their forwards 16 inside 50s to De La 5. Xavier scoring 5 last quarter goals to De La 2 and running out winner by 7 goals.
With a break this week, we should get several players back and be in good shape for our next game at home against Scotch.
De La Salle 7.6.48
Old Xavs 14.15.99
19 Golds
Sometimes you have to admit you have been beaten, been outplayed, out run and seen your opposition work harder than you and move on from it. The match between De La Golds and Peninsula was such an example. Peninsula worked harder, had more polish, had more one-on-one winners and played a much better brand of footy and deservedly won.
Obviously there are mitigating circumstances that impact upon the results that the Golds can realistically achieve as they 2nd team in our Under 19 program, and we had a few yesterday to deal with. There were a number of changes to the team at both selection and also on match day, which severely affected our chances of winning. We lost Dylan Cowan and Joe Cox with work prior to the match and as older, more experienced players in a team of 16, 17 and 18 year olds that was crucial as we missed their leadership. We saw Jack Handley and Jake McGaw promoted to the Blues and we lost smarter forward line players so that affected goal kicking options, and Jack McLoughlin pulled out with sickness on the morning so we lost another from the mids, but the reality is we just weren't good enough.
The ground was surprisingly good particularly given the alternative ground Peninsula had used in previous years was a dump, and as such it allowed both teams the opportunity to run and carry the football...... well one team did and one team didn't really do it as well, so for the Golds to get the right result it needed a lot of things to go well, and just not enough did overall.
We had passages of play where we could be very happy and what pleased was the overall persistence of all players to continue to try and work throughout the game and credit really as we did play it out, but it was just one of those days.
I suppose what we really need to recognise is - training is important, handball is an attacking weapon and not something used as a last option to sell your team mates into trouble and kicking to advantage is important but it means we kick it to spots where our players can move into, not pop it on top of their heads where it's easy to defend. Too many of our handballs went to players standing still (a terrible error), too many of our kicks were to team mates feet (basic skill errors) and too many players were happy with 1 effort, but need to look at what their opponents did and run to support and look to get a 2nd possession to help put the ball into dangerous spots.
In summary it's disappointing when your best player is in the last line of defence, because it means the ball is spending far too much time in the wrong area, but Will Agar was terrific and enjoyed his best game and was clearly our best. Tom Hyland was very good too across half forward and provided a much needed small target as he presented, ran and worked very hard all day. Our undersized ruck was Wade Wright and he too tried very hard as did Will Mackie which for both of them was important as they backed up with a 2nd good game, Ollie Milner was good in patches, Dylan Kelly again good in patches, James Dennehy kicked 3 and despite playing as a marking forward when he's clearly not a monster marking player was good, as was Aiden Wood who presented well at full forward, centre half forward and change ruck and kicked a goal too. Joel Stewart had good patches, and if he can put together 4 quarters which he is very capable of he will be a very valuable player.
That said to have less than half of our team break even or win their position is not a great outcome, and it just reinforces that the Golds need all players to contribute each and every week for each and every contest for every minute of every game.
We are a young group and each week presents challenges as we come up against older, physically bigger groups of players, some whom have 4 overage players, but to the boys credit they keep persisting and if we do that often enough we will get the results our efforts deserve - if the coach believes they are capable, the boys need to realise it too, because they seem to have too many doubts which they need to abandon.
Next game is against Oakleigh who we played a few weeks ago and we need to try and rebound to get our season back on track.
De La Salle 7.9.51
Peninsula 16.9.105
Goal Kickers: J. Dennehy 3, A. Wood , W. Mackie , L. McCluskey , J. Stewart
Best Players: W. Agar, T. Hyland, W. Wright, W. Mackie, J. Dennehy, A. Wood
Superules
The Dino’s are sitting comfortably in top on the ladder. Last round we had a 117 victory over the Eastern Warriors.
Next match is this Sunday 1st June at 2.30pm against Craigieburn. Come on down to Waverley Park and enjoy a pleasant Sunday afternoon.
Last Modified on 01/06/2014 19:15