Seniors – Easily dispose of opposition in the sun at Junction
Firstly, sorry for the late posting of match reports. Your correspondent was stuck in St.Kilda after spending his bus fare on the astronomical canteen prices at Junction Oval during the senior game. Nevertheless, the game was worth the price as the Uni Blues put away Old Melburnians on a gorgeous winter’s day. Pat Hayes started in a blaze of glory, kicking two first quarter goals before his hamstring ended his day. Andrew Lowcock and Pat Smith were looking dangerous up forward, while the defense remained organised. The Blues were up at quarter time, 30 points to 15. The Blues got better as the game went on. Jack Watts was rucking well, deftly palming to silky midfielder Charles Slattery and veteran Quinton Gleeson who were both enjoying the expanses of Junction Oval. The Blues run was working well as the added five goals for the quarter.
At the main break, the Blues led the Red-legs by 37 points. The Blues held all of the cards in the second half, adding seven goals in the third and six goals in the last. Lowcock and Smith finished the day with three each along with Gleeson and Dan Nicholson. Nicholson played across half-forward and worked his way into the game despite being heavily tagged. The young speedster easily accounted for his opponent for the second time this season. Ben McConnell showed that he doesn’t just love wet tracks as he accumulated possessions and disposed with his usual efficiency. Slattery kicked two goals in a sterling game in which he showed dash, poise and class. Matt Torney and Matt Kilpin obliterated their opponents in the backline, and then rubbed salt into the wounds by running the ball out time and time again. It was a thorough and competent display from the Blues, showing that they are confidently hitting their stride as they head into the toughest section of the year.
University Blues: 22 – 14 – 146
Old Melburnians: 9 – 11 – 65
Best: C.Slattery, B.McConnell, M.Torney, M.Kilpin, Q.Gleeson, A.Lowcock
Goals: A.Lowcock 3, P.Smith 3, D.Nicholson 3, Q.Gleeson 3, J.Watts 2, P.Hayes 2, C.Slattery 2, S.Chadwick 2, T.Stainforth 1, M.Paterson 1
Reserves – Run out winners in a low-scoring affair
The Mighty Uni Blues Twos returned from the break to face top-of-the-table Old Melburnians. The OMs had only lost once in the last two years, to the Blues in round two. The OMs went in confident having beaten every other Premier Reserve rival and believing that they were caught unaware and jumped in round 2. The Mighty Uni Blues Twos put this ill-founded confidence to the sword as they held their opposition to only four goals for the game. The Blues also went into the game confident with a star-studded forward line of Dirk Heinz, Jack Townley, Ed Clark and Al Lyon. Despite these stars, it was the defense that held sway led by effervescent Ben Millard and young understudy Tom Maddocks. After a close first quarter, OMs looked to gain some momentum with three goals in the second quarter. When the bell went for half-time, only four point separated the teams and had supporters salivating for an exciting contest. Only the Blues’ supporters were pleased as the best defense in the comp shut up shop, keeping the ladder leaders goalless for the entire half. Millard was outstanding, beating whatever opponent was near to him and then rebounding the ball from deep within the OM’s half. From there, runners Albert Weddell and Bennett Merriman carried the ball neatly forward to the super-charged forward line. Tom Girdwood also played well with precise kicking around the ground in his utility role. Clark was the leading goal-scorer with three, while Townley and Heinz both chipped in with two. The Blues kicked six goals for the second half to run out 44 point winners. Uni teams are earning a reputation as giant killers as last round the Seniors tore apart previously unbeaten Collegians and the win by the Mighty Blues Twos this round. The win leaves the Twos with eight wins and two losses and third on the ladder. The race in Premier Reserve is hot with all top four teams sitting 8 and 2. A tight finish to the season awaits.
University Blues: 10 – 12 – 72
Old Melburnians: 4 – 4 – 28
Best: B.Millard, D.Heinz, A.Weddell, T.Girdwood, T.Maddocks, B.Merriman
Goals: E.Clark 3, J.Townley 2, D.Heinz 2, B.Merriman 1, W.Girdwood 1, A.Lyon 1
Thirds – Comfortably overcome scrappy opposition
In round two, Old Melburnians defeated the University Blues Tertiary Team so Coach Baumgartner asked his players for retribution. The game was a hard-fought affair as OM’s gained the ascendency early. Andy Christensen bagged his first against the run of play to inspire his team-mates to lift their work rate. The entire team piled the pressure onto their opponents, forcing turnovers and creating opportunities for the forwards. Liam Quin twice marked strongly and converted to give confidence to the young team. The Blues went in at quarter time pleased with their efforts but aware of the task ahead. The second quarter was played out in similar style. Intense pressure and outstanding individual efforts were the order of the day. Will Hartnell kept winning the ball on his wing and pumping into the forward line. Nick Taylor made use of Hartnell’s booming left foot, taking multiple marks and slotting goals. At half time, the Blues were up by five goals. At the break, players were made aware that much was riding on this third quarter. It was incredibly important not to let Old Melburnians back to within range. The Blues made sure of this by heading out and piling on the goals. Their opposition started to lose their minds under pressure, giving away free kicks, 25m penalties, getting sent off, and arguing with the men in white. This filled the Blues with confidence as Rory Kennedy, Tristan Maddocks and Derry Hayter kept winning plenty of the ball and used it well. Dom Vincent was outstanding in his role, typified by an inspirational tackle. Paul Pavli was welcomed back and kicked a fine running goal. At three quarter time, the Blues were comfortably in front and the game was over as a contest. The final quarter was played out with the Blues comfortably winning the game by 58 points. Taylor finished with 4 for the game and Quin and Kennedy both kicked three. Coach Boomer was very pleased with some individual efforts especially those of Maddocks and Vincent.
University Blues: 18 – 8 – 116
Old Melburnians: 8 – 10 – 58
Best: T.Maddocks, R.Kennedy, D.Vincent, D.Hayter, A.Christensen, L.Quin
Goals: N.Taylor 4, L.Quin 3, R.Kennedy 3, A.Christensen 2, D.Hayter 1, W.Hartnell 1, D.Assouni 1, P.Pavli 1, J.Crawford 1, W.McLachlan 1
Under 19s – Slow start, but strong finish
University Blues Under 19s played the early game on Albert Park Oval No.1 and they did not disappoint their legion of supporters. Old Melburnians are obviously better risers than the boys from College Crescent as the burst out of the blocks to kick three goals to one in the first quarter. Jake Taylor was battling away in defence, trying to stem the tide and await the cavalry. The Blues arrived in numbers in the second term as the reversed the scoreline of the first quarter to go in at half-time on level pegging. Charles Shaw was providing a target up front for the midfield of Angus Nice, Tom Emmett, and Jared Edwards to kick to. The Blues were quietly confident during the break, but knew they had much work ahead. The third quarter was an even affair, but Old Melburnians came away from it with a slender lead. Corey Somerville was proving lively and Toby Cohen was working hard to the benefit of his team. Only two points separated the teams at the final break but, again, the Blues were confident as they had been peppering the goals. The stage was set for an epic last quarter and the young Blues rose to the challenge. The kicked three goal in the last while holding the Red-legs to one to run out the game nine point winner. Shaw finished with three and Somerville two for the winners as they celebrated another win under Coach Embling. Go Blues.
University Blues: 9 – 13 – 67
Old Melburnians: 8 – 10 – 58
Best: T.Emmett, J.Edwards, A.Nice, T.Cohen, C.Somerville, J.Taylor
Goals: C.Shaw 3, C.Somerville 2, V.Campbell 1, T.Emmett 1, L.Butler 1, S.Bryce 1
