Seniors – Third term dominance results in big win over finals rival
Football supporters from all over Melbourne were salivating at the thought of a re-match between VAFA finals rivals, Uni Blues and De La Salle. De La Salle accounted for the Blues on the Main Oval earlier in the year but since then the Blues have gone on a rampage, walloping all-comers. But how would they go against last year’s runners-up the second time around?
A big crowd filed into Elsternwick Park to find out. The first half was the tight affair that everybody was expecting and hoping for. Each time one side kicked a goal the other responded in kind. Pat Smith and Ed Clark were looking dangerous up forward as key marking targets for Uni as Sam Chadwick got busy at their feet. A goal late in the quarter to Clark meant that the Blues went into the first break up by eight points. The helter-skelter pace and attack on the ball continued in the second quarter. Matt Torney was relishing the physical football, following the example continually set by Captain Andrew Lowcock. But the Sallians had slightly the better of the second quarter with the damage being limited by some fine defensive efforts by newly-married Jackson Brooke in a back pocket and also John Meagher. At the main break, the blue and black held a slender lead of a solitary goal. Coach Kanis urged his charges to show some emotion and play for each other in a crucial second half in the context of the season. And the Blues responded. Some typical hard work from Lowcock resulted in him being bumped late and taken off with a broken collarbone. In an appalling display of sportsmanship, some De La Salle supporters used the opportunity to mock a courageous Uni Blues’ warrior for having a ‘sore shoulder’. Lowcock gritted his teeth against the pain and cowardly abuse while his team-mates responded with a withering burst of football that meant the supporters from Malvern Road had much less to sing about. The Blues kicked six goals to one for the quarter to establish a match-winning lead. Paul Butko was a welcome return showing dash and skill on the wide wings, complementing the fine work of Ben McConnell in the mid-field. As the final quarter began, the Blues looked to hold all of the cards. However, two goals early in the last quarter to De La Salle caused a few moments of concern in the Blues’ supporters but ruckmen Jack Watts and Tim Muhlebach took some fine marks to steady the ship. Chadwick kicked his third for the game while Lowcock, Clark and Smith all kicked two each in the 42 point win. Since losing to De La Salle back in May, the Blues have not lost a game and have now beaten two of their top four rivals. Next week they come against the other top four side, Old Xaverians, in another crucial clash. Players will line up again at Elsternwick Park in an exciting preview of September action next Saturday at 2pm. Excitement is ensured.
University Blues: 15 – 10 – 100
De La Salle: 8 – 10 – 58
Best: B.McConnell, T.Muhlebach, P.Butko, J.Brooke, J.Watts, J.Meagher
Goals: S.Chadwick 3, A.Lowcock 2, E.Clark 2, P.Smith 2, B.McConnell 1, M.Paterson 1, B.Millard 1, T.Stainforth 1, T.Muhlebach 1, T.Girdwood 1
Reserves – Thoroughly outclass opponent after slow start
The Mighty Uni Blues Twos returned to the location of their ultimate success in 2009 to do battle with another of the contenders in 2010. De La Salle escaped with a three point win on the Main Oval earlier in the year, much to the disappointment of the Blues Twos. Coach Maddocks conveyed the importance of getting one back in the run-in to finals to give players confidence. Disappointingly, the Blues started slowly. De La Salle kicked three goals to nil in the first quarter to send a significant scare through the Blues camp. The defense was being bombarded and the mid-field was not winning the ball. However, a different outfit arrived to play after quarter time as the Blues lifted their efforts significantly. Albert Weddell started winning the hard ball in the middle, while Matt Kilpin showed great skill with his laser-like left boot. The ball moved forward into the vicinity of clever forward, Bennett Merriman (2 goals), who did not disappoint. The Blues kicked four goals to two for the quarter to go into the main break only three points down. De La Salle were heading back to the scoring end in the third quarter but the Blues had other ideas. De La were kept scoreless during the ‘premiership quarter’ in a fine defensive effort from the improving Blues’ outfit. James Van de Pol was again showing some superb run from the back half, and then delivering to hard-working half-forward, Al Lyon. Lyon is having a great year for the Blues, attacking the ball with vigour to provide his team-mates with confidence. Jack Eastman snuck forward to kick two goals for the game as the Blues hit the lead during the third quarter for the first time for the game. The Mighty Uni Blues Twos ran out the game in the final quarter strongly. They kicked three for the quarter while De La kicked their only major for the second half. In a low-scoring affair on a weather-affected day, the Blues ran out 24 point winners. Steen Balodis was another who showed great run and skill when the Blues needed it and will be a wild card in other big games. The win maintains top position on the ladder for Uni Blues and gives them great confidence. There is no rest for the wicked as next week they take on fellow premiership aspirant, Old Xaverians. Xavs touched up the Blues last time, so the Blues will be looking to exact similar revenge.
University Blues: 9 – 10 – 64
De La Salle: 6 – 4 – 40
Best: A.Weddell, A.Lyon, M.Kilpin, B.Merriman, J.Van de Pol, S.Balodis
Goals: B.Merriman 2, J.Eastman 2, A.Christensen 1, N.Hardie-Grant 1, S.Balodis 1, D.Paton 1, W.Girdwood 1
Thirds – Rusty performance in return to the field
The University Blues Tertiary Team took to the field for the first time in over a month due to forfeits and a bye. Coach Baumgartner had the players pumped up and ready to play as they took on second-placed De La Salle. The Blues had beaten De La in the earlier match on Crawford Oval but some serious lack of match fitness proved costly for the Tertiary boys. In a frenetic first quarter, De La Salle were able to find a route to goal much easier despite the Blues having more of the ball. Dom Vincent and Rory Kennedy were winning the hard ball in the middle of the ground but some fumbles and sloppy disposal when moving the ball forward was costing the Blues. It wasn’t until after the quarter time siren sounded that the Blues scored their first goal, a set shot from Kennedy. De La Salle had the lead, six goals to one at the first break, setting the Blues an almighty task. After the break, the Blues set about improving their movement of the ball and it improved their chances. Jerome Cubillo was playing well up forward, putting pressure on and creating chances. A desperate spoil by Captain Liam Quin created a chance for full-forward Dan Assouni who capitalised to give the Blues hope. Jared Crawford was marking well and kicked his first. At half-time the Blues were down by six goals but felt it was not an insurmountable disadvantage. The third quarter was the Blues’ best. The continually worked hard all over the ground to hold De La Salle to three behinds while adding two goals for themselves, including Assouni’s second. Will McLachlan was providing useful ruckwork and run, and Hugh Vickers-Willis proved that a solid sun-tan can provide benefits on the field as he was slick in his return to footy. The 22 point buffer that De La Salle had was looking shaky as the Blues attacked early in the last. Unluckily, De La were able to salvage a behind then run the ball the length of the ground to kick a steadying goal. The Blues were never in the hunt from then on despite some solid defensive efforts. Jason Clifford collected plenty of the ball across half-back in a good display, but too many of his team-mates made poor decisions in the wet and sticky conditions that caused crucial turn-overs. The team’s over-reliance on handball was also costly as they fumbled and put themselves under pressure. Despite the loss, the Blues will be better for the run as they know now the standard of football that will be required of them. Next week they take on rivals Old Xaverians in a crucial game in the race towards September action.
University Blues: 5 – 8 – 38
De La Salle: 12 – 8 – 80
Best: J.Clifford, J.Cubillo, R.Kennedy, H.Vickers-Willis, W.McLachlan, L.Quin
Goals: D.Assouni 2, J.Crawford 1, D.Hayter 1, R.Kennedy 1
Under 19s – Keep finals hopes alive with big win
The end of university holidays traditionally heralds a second coming for the University Blues Under 19s as players return from all over the country to once more proudly don the Blue and Black. Coach Embling had an embarrassment of riches to choose from and was excited about his team’s chance against Old Camberwell. Both sides were on the same number of points, but Old Camberwell had the advantage of a better percentage so were above the Blues on the ladder. It looked to be another tight tussle for the Junior Blues but they have already had their fair share of these and are getting sick of close encounters. They set about dismantling OCs as thoroughly as they could to record one of their better wins for the season. The Blues started well on Gordon Barnard Reserve to kick three of the first four goals in the game. Max Allen made a welcome return to form, providing a big target to kick towards and not disappointing his fleet of runners. Llewyn Butler was also looking dangerous as he rested up forward and spent some time running with the play. Old Camberwell rallied in the second term to add three to their tally, but the Blues were able to steady and kick three of the own to maintain their advantage. Jared Edwards was collecting possessions and disposing well while Shaun Bryce continued his form that is catching the eye of astute judges. At half-time the Blues lead by 14 points and it looked like another nail biter. The tonic that Coach Embling served up during the break was just the ticket as the team gelled during a brilliant second half. They kicked five in the third quarter to OCs two to gain some serious advantage. Charles Shaw was also providing his team-mates with a forward target and he looked dangerous with his two goals. Toby Cohen was providing some great run and used the ball in another display of good football. Angus Nice continued his outstanding season as he collected plenty of the ball in the middle of the ground. The Blues ran riot in the final term, kicking nine goals to run out 63 point winners. Allen finished with five goals while Butler snuck in for three. Bryce kicked two in his best afield display and Nice, Shaw and Corey Somerville also kicked pairs. Tom Emmett is another who is playing well for the Blues and he was instrumental in assisting the team to gain a crucial win. The Blues are one game out of the four and will need to improve their percentage with further big wins like this one if they are to be serious contenders in September. Make no mistake, they will try their best to continue this good form and keep their finals tilt on track. Go Blues.
University Blues: 20 – 10 – 130
Old Camberwell: 10 – 7 – 67
Best: S.Bryce, J.Edwards, M.Allen, T.Cohen, A.Nice, T.Emmett
Goals: M.Allen 5, L.Butler 3, S.Bryce 2, A.Nice 2, C.Shaw 2, C.Somerville 2, A.Dugdale 1, J.Edwards 1, N.Keating 1, A.Roberts 1,
