Blues Brief Round 17, 2009
Review - Last Weekend
Uni Blues' senior team gave supporters a fright on the weekend courtesy of a sluggish start against Old Essendon. The home team put on five unanswered goals before Blues realized they were in a football match. Fortunately, class ultimately prevailed as the students held Old Essendon to a single goal in the final three quarters to career away with an 83 point victory. Mark "The General" Paterson was Blues' best and Sam Chadwick's four goals suggested that his recent stint in the northern hemisphere has done his form no harm. Blues remain in fourth spot on percentage.
The miserly Blues Twos permitted their Old Essendon opponents the fleeting joy of a single goal as they helped themselves to a 20 goal plus win. Quinton Gleeson was best afield for Blues and kicked five majors, while Alex Suvoltus and Liam Quin also got amongst the goalfest for the ladder leaders.
Uni Blues' Under 19s maintained their late season momentum with a critical victory over Beaumaris at the Banksia Reserve. McClure, Nice and Shaw were the undergraduates' leading lights and Will Hartnell threaded another three goals up forward.
For a complete wrap of scores, best players and goal kickers, simply click here
The Clubbies' premiership defence came to an end on Sunday as they bowed out to Collegians in a low scoring Preliminary Final. With only seven goals kicked during the Elsternwick Park encounter, Blues (3.9 - 27) unfortunately managed one major less than Collegians (4.11 - 35) and were bundled out of the finals race by 8 points. Michael "Bomber" Thomas bobbed up again in front of the goals, Ben Callery continued his fine finals campaign and Wilson, Pyke and Supercoach Granleese were all solid contributors for the Blues.
While they will be understandably disappointed not to be running out this weekend in the Grand Final, congratulations are due to Tom Granleese and his Club 18 campaigners for another successful season.
Preview - Tomorrow
Another Saturday, another game against a team hellbent on engineering an unlikely survival in A-Section. This week, Blues host Old Ivanhoe in the club's final Uni Oval fixture for 2009. Victories don't come easy at this stage of the season and Ivanhoe will be arriving in Parkville with a newly-installed coach and an upset win over Old Scotch to their name. In the early game, Dr Gunga's reserves outfit are shooting for six on the trot. Expect another healthy crowd as the Blues' faithful convene over afternoon tea and a post-match Pavvy beverage for the final time this season.
Blues Under 19s continue their charge towards the finals with a farewell appearance at the Crawford. They meet the second-placed Old Xaverians in what shapes as a timely test for the club's future stars as they close out the home-and-away season.
Go Blues!
Events
Tomorrow night - Having devoured Kransky and Brattwurst Sausages (thanks to Alpine Smallgoods) and delicious Soft Pretzels (thanks to Pretzel World) at the game, the University Blues will be hosting a function at the Kingston Hotel from 7:00pm (55 Highett Street Richmond). A cracking spot to launch into what promises to be a great Saturday night for players, supporters and friends.
Sue and John North have very kindly offered to host a gathering of all Uni Blues players, officials, parents & supporters at their home in Camberwell following the Old Scotch game on Saturday, 29 August 2009. Full details here:
Blue Bloods - Past Players - Blues in the News
Club captain Andrew "Ace" Lowcock was on the small screen last night. A towering mark taken by Ace during Blues' home game against Marcellin in Round 6 featured on the "Almost Football Legends" segment of Channel 9's "The Footy Show". For those not on the couch last night, stay tuned to uniblues.com in coming weeks to catch the footage.
Aaaah, the "Spa Pavvy" - a Saturday evening not quickly forgotten by those in attendance and re-visited in this week's "Bolt from the Blues": here
NotesParking : A friendly warning for tomorrow. 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.
Team Photos: Team photos for the 2009 season will be taken during training on Tuesday, August 25 from 7 pm (commencing with the Under 19 team). All players (that have played 1 or more game for a team), coaches, assistants, team managers and members of the medical team are encouraged to be present in order that they can be included.
Playing Uniforms: The VAFA has reminded clubs that they will be fined for players wearing "unofficial items including non-licensed jumpers (i.e. school jumpers), non-licensed shorts, taped numbers, black tights and cut off socks". All Blues players should ensure that they are stepping out in the correct kit.
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
