Blues Brief Round 16, 2009

Review - Last Weekend

Uni Blues' teams defied the pundits over the weekend to notch four important victories.

It was approaching 3/4 time of the senior game when the esteemed commentators on 96.5 FM conferred fourth spot on the A-Section ladder to the whoever prevailed in their featured game (Collegians ultimately rolled Scotch) on the basis that Uni Blues were on their way to a loss at the hands of De La Salle. The experts spoke too soon. In a last quarter in the shadows at Uni Oval that had everything (including a head count courtesy of De La having 19 men on the field), Blues hung on by 2 points in a genuine thriller. Skipper Ace Lowcock was a cool hand when it counted, assisted by a lively final stanza from Sam Chadwick. Ben McConnell dons the T-shirt this week on the back of a fine four quarter effort and veteran George De Crespigny provided three goals and a touch of class up forward.

Blues Twos started the day on the right note with a comprehensive victory. Fourteen goals was the final margin with Steinbach, Suvoltos and Hamish Rankin amongst Blues' best. Premiership captain Quinton Gleeson was a notable name on the teamsheet.

Uni Blues' Under 19s have crept into fourth spot. The students' late season rally continued on Saturday when they overcame third-placed Old Scotch by 28 points. Hugh Vickers-Willis had the ball on a string and was well supported by Jack Townley and Ben McClure. The Crawford Oval's resident spearhead Will Hartnell added another lazy five to his season tally.

Finals football. It comes around fast for the cream of the Club 18 competition and Uni Blues were in the thick of it on Sunday in a First Semi Final that was a 2008 Grand Final re-match against the Old Xav's Crocs. In his pre-game column titled "Norm Nugent Knows!", the VAFA's Club 18 aficionado selected the Crocs. In another case of Blues upsetting the experts, Granleese's men coasted to a relatively comfortable victory. Ben Callery was at his busy best on the Elsternwick expanses and Tim McKinley and ex-Malaysian Warrior Michael "Bomber" Thomas both proved a handful for the Crocs' defenders, kicking five and four goals respectively.

For a complete wrap of scores, best players and goal kickers and some great photos, simply click:here

For the full scoop on the Clubbies' first finals outing, head here

 

Preview - Tomorrow

Like any team in a relegation dogfight, Old Essendon are not to be treated lightly. Tomorrow's trip to East Keilor (Melways Map 15 G10) has the potential to be a tricky encounter for a Uni Blues senior team that cannot afford to drop games given the closeness of the clubs clamoring for finals action.

In the early game, the Twos will be looking for their fifth win on the trot against an Old Essendon team that offered limited resistance when the two teams met in round 7.

Blues Under 19s are on something of a roll at the moment. After a season that has had its highs and lows, Matt Embley's charges are now putting it together week-to-week and have a spot in the four to show for their recent consistency. The challenge tomorrow at the Banksia Reserve is to defeat Beaumaris, the team that they have edged out of the four on percentage. With both teams boasting 9 wins, the outcome could determine who will be playing finals next month.

For the Clubbies, the premiership defence continues on Sunday. They meet Collegians (who dropped the Second Semi last week in extra time) in the Preliminary Final from 2:20 pm at Elsternwick Park.

Go Blues!

Blue Bloods - Past Players - Blues in the News

Football writer Paul Daffey provided some thoughts on Uni Blues and its past and present rivalries in a piece published last week on the Footy Almanac website: here

 

On Thursday morning (Melbourne time), 1999 Blues reserves premiership captain Leigh Tweddle was sitting in the stands of Thomond Park in Limerick for the Australia v Republic of Ireland pre-World Cup friendly. He reports watching as former Blues' president and longtime medico Peter Brukner conferred pitchside with Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek.

Message for Blue Bloods (including Player Sponsors and Blue Barons)

Dear Blue Bloods

As the season comes to its pointy end and with all four Blues teams contesting or in contention for the finals, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all player sponsors, Blue Bloods and Blue Barons for their ongoing support of Uni Blues in our inaugural year of the Blue Bloods and Barons.

We would also like to ensure that all paid up members have received their benefits of membership (scarf, fridge magnet and free 1st beer after every home game).  If you haven't, please let me know so we can deliver your merchandise to you.

With our Club 18 team already playing finals and with three more home-and-away games for our senior, reserves and Under 19 teams (including a home game next weekend, 22 August), it would be great to see as many of you as possible in attendance at Blues game soon.

Stay tuned for bigger and better things next year including the Blue Bloods Masters golf tournament in the off season - details to follow.

Thank you again for your support and membership of the Blue Bloods.

See you in the pavvy

Andrew Henderson
0404851474
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Notes

A friendly warning: There have been a number of players and supporters from both Uni Blues and opposition clubs nabbed for parking infringements in the Melbourne Uni grounds in recent weeks. To ensure that you do not get booked by the parking inspectors, you need to display a valid ticket! Even if you get through the gate when it is up you have not beaten the wrap. You still need to stop, pay and get a ticket.The club is in discussions with the Uni as to whether parking requirements are necessary at the back of the hill near the Pavvy but at present a ticket is required or, alternatively, there is plenty of parking on College Crescent or between the Cemetery and Princes Park.

Finally, a friendly reminder that you can keep abreast of all happenings in the world of University Blues simply by going to our website at www.uniblues.com