Seniors – Line up for goal-kicking practice

It is fair to say that Marcellin have not been travelling well this year in Premier football. Four successive losses of over 100 points resulted in the coach resigning last week. A better performance after the resignation almost gave them a win and they came into the game against the Blues with a small amount of confidence. That confidence was shot in the first quarter when Uni Blues took, admittedly poor, aim at the big sticks with 11 shots at goal to Marcellin’s none. The return of two goals nine behinds gave the Blues something to work on for the remainder of the game and they improved their accuracy from that first break. The Blues ran riot in the second term, kicking eight goals three, to Marcellin’s one goal two. Captain Andrew Lowcock was marking everything that went forward of half way. He clearly enjoyed his return to full-forward, kicking eight goals and taking around fifteen marks in a best-afield display. At the half-time break things were looking grim for the Eagles and their supporters. It did not improve after the teams ran back onto the ground. Uni Blues piled on nine goals in the third and seven goals in the last while Marcellin could only kick one more for the game. The rot for Marcellin started in the middle of the ground where Blues’ ruckman, Tim Muhelbach was providing his runners with first use thanks to some deft taps. Mark Paterson was one of the recipients as he collected the ball all over the ground with many thanks to Muhlebach. Muhlebach played so well that he was given a year’s supply of beer by the opposition president. The Mule plans to finish the last of his six-pack at Christmas lunch. Al Austin continued his outstanding season across half-back, taking numerous marks and dishing off to his defensive runners in Matt Torney and Mark McLeod. Torney even slipped forward to kick a stylish goal. Jack Watts enjoyed Muhelbach’s run in the ruck as he ‘rested’ up forward, kicking 5 for the day. Watts provided the only downside from the day, taking a mark in the goal square, playing on and missing from point blank. Special mention must go to John ‘The Ice Man’ Meagher who did not make a mistake for the entire day despite 100% of game time. Meagher resembled his nickname at times such was the dominance of the Blues. When the final siren sounded, Marcellin’s entire score was the same as the number of Blues’ behinds. Blues ran out 156 point winners in a percentage boosting game. As much as Blues’ players and supporters love to win games of footy, it is disappointing to see a proud and fantastic club such as Marcellin in this position with 10 rounds of footy to go. Hopefully the Eagles can improve on the back nine. All-in-all, a job well done by the boys in Blue and Black.

University Blues: 26 – 17 – 173

Marcellin: 2 – 5 – 17

Best: A.Lowcock, M.Torney, J.Watts, M.Paterson, M.McLeod, A.Austin

Goals: A.Lowcock 8, J.Watts 5, D.Nicholson 4, P.Smith 3, C.Slattery 1, S.Chadwick 1, H.Vickers-Willis 1, M.Torney 1, B.McConnell 1, Q.Gleeson 1

Reserves – Rebound from consecutive losses by destroying the Eagles

A number of changes saw a couple of debuts in the Mighty Uni Blues Twos against Marcellin. It was a very nice day to run out for the first time in this side as the Blues went on the march to win by 141 points. The tone for the game was set early as the Blues kicked seven goals to one in the first quarter. Chief destroyer was Nick Taylor kicking four for the quarter and finishing the game with seven. Taylor was leading hard and giving his mid-fielders a target to hit and he didn’t let them down. The Blues went on to kick five in the second, six in the third, and finish with another seven in the last in a very one-sided affair. Tom Foott continued his stellar first season, coming up from the under 19s last year. Foott worked hard all over the ground to provide his mid-field with first use of the ball. Damon Byrne was one of those beneficiaries as got in the best players for the fourth time in his seven games for the club. Hamish Rankin was another who enjoyed the run. Rankin was his usual unselfish and hard-working self as he collected possessions all over the ground. Bennett Merriman kicked three up forward, while Ben ‘The Professional’ Millard kicked two along with Albert Weddell. There were 15 individual goal-kickers for the Blues, demonstrating that all players were involved in the win. The trick for the Mighty Uni Blues Twos is to maintain the style of play and level of intensity against all sides, as the competition is distinctly split between those with genuine eyes on the prize and those making up the numbers. Despite an easy win, Coach Maddocks understands and will be communicating to his players that it is one thing to be flat-track bullies, but it is another thing entirely to beat good opposition on a tough day. The Mighty Uni Blues Twos have risen to this challenge before and are likely to improve as the season goes on. A scary thought for those facing this Mighty team in the coming weeks.

University Blues: 25 – 19 – 169

Marcellin: 4 – 4 – 28

Best: H.Rankin, T.Foott, D.Byrne, N.Taylor, J.Van De Pol, B.McClure

Goals: N.Taylor 7, B.Merriman 3, A.Weddell 2, B.Millard 2, J.Heinz 1, B.Laidlaw 1, A.Christensen 1, S.Gilbertson 1, W.Girdwood 1, S.Roache 1, T.Girdwood 1, H.Rankin 1, S.Balodis 1, J.Van De Pol 1, D.Heinz 1

Thirds – Cut loose on Bulleen Park

The return of Coach Baumgartner had players quietly confident against a lowly Marcellin side. Some last minute adjustments due to ground changes, personnel changes, and umpire lateness were made as the Blues ran onto the ground with the goal of winning the first quarter. And win it they did, kicking eight goals to one in a stylish display on a small ground. Leading the charge were small forwards, Kris Laws, Victor Dilakis and Jerome ‘Stokesy’ Cubillo. The big men at full-forward and centre half forward were made redundant as these three ran riot, kicking goals and marking at will. The second quarter was much of the same, as the Blues kicked seven more. However, Marcellin were able to score three of their own to give the Blues some food for thought at the main break. Coach Baumgartner, an incredible orator when he has the floor, imparted the importance of playing to specific structures and styles so that each player knew his role, and knew what his team-mates would do. In a team game, such as football, it is the sum of the parts that win tight games, not individuals. Keeping this in mind, the Blues ran back out to show no mercy in the second half. Rory Kennedy and Steve Hanning were providing great run from the wings as the continually pumped the ball forward. Kennedy was able to break the lines and sneak forward to kick five goals for the day. Jared Crawford monstered his opponents in the ruck, giving first use to Tristan Maddocks and Liam ‘The Extractor’ Quin. Continual centre breaks put pressure on the Eagles’ defense and this was obvious when their loose man dropped a sitter and Dislakis mopped up to kick his fifth for the day. Laws kicked his fourth during the third. Even if the Marcellin defense cleared the ball, a wall of Blues players such as Ralph Wilson, Dave Marshall, Jack Eastman and Jason Clifford appeared to block Marcellin’s attempts and send the ball back forward. Players ran out the last quarter well, with Cubillo kicking his fifth, and Quin his third in a one-sided game. The Blues ran out the game 128 point winners in a percentage building game. Coach Boomer was pleased with the boys’ efforts and will look to keep the intensity up as the Blues face fancied Collegians on the Crawford in a week’s time.

University Blues: 25 – 16 – 166

Marcellin: 5 – 8 – 38

Best: R.Kennedy, Tristan Maddocks, S.Hanning, J.Cubillo, K.Laws, L.Quin, J.Crawford

Goals: J.Cubillo 5, V.Dislakis 5, R.Kennedy 5, K.Laws 4, L.Quin 3, N.Beks 1, J.Crawford 1, Tristan Maddocks 1

Under 19s – Make amends with team-building win

The Uni Blues Under 19s made it a clean sweep for the Blues out at Bulleen Rd when they ran out 37 point winners in a welcome return to form after the disappointment of last week. The Blues started the game well in a tight first term. That man Tom Ruggles was dominant in the ruck, winning the hit-out then the clearance on a number of occasions. The boy from Castlemaine also brought back the barrel, as he unloaded some nice torpedos in a virtuoso display. Despite his fame, Ruggles remains down-to-earth and humble in his approach to football and life. Ruggles was able assisted by his team mates as they went on to improve throughout the game, culminating in a seven goal last quarter. Maxim Allen was again the chief destroyer up forward, kicking five goals for the day. Allen is proving to be a real headache for opposition defenses averaging nearly four goals a game, including a bag of seven. Also having an eye-catching season is Angus Nice. Nice was again best-afield, the fourth time this year. Surely a short-priced favourite for the best and fairest at this stage of the season. Ruggles is still the sentimental favourite though. Corey Somerville played his best game for the year, collecting a lot of the ball then slotting home three important majors as well. Other good players in the solid win were Will Cuningham and Tom Emmett leaving Coach Embling very pleased with the boy's efforts. Particularly pleasing was that the Blues were challenged in the third term and were able to run away from their opponents during the final term. Nearing the half-way point of the season, the Blues are fifth on the ladder and will be looking to cement a spot in the four during the back nine. After the game, the players clearly enjoyed being able to sing the song with the senior team. They went on to celebrate a great day out for the club with a drink in the Marcellin rooms then at the Sentimental Bloke. The Unders contributed to the 462 point cumulative win for the Blues on the day. Go Blues.

University Blues: 14 – 14 – 98

Marcellin: 9 – 7 – 61

Best: A.Nice, T.Ruggles, T.Emmett, W.Cuningham, M.Allen, C.Somerville

Goals: M.Allen 5, C.Somerville 3, V.Campbell 1, A.Nice 1, R.Thompson 1, T.Emmett 1, P.Olsson 1, N.Keating 1