Seniors – Collegians exact revenge

The first time around, Blues toweled up Collegians on a wet and wild day on the Main Oval. This time, the Blues made the trek to Harry Trott where the result was reversed. Collegians thoroughly outplayed the Blues and held them to only three goals. The game started poorly with Collegians kicking six goals in the first quarter. The men in purple were pumped up and ready to atone for their embarrassing loss earlier in the season. Jackson Brooke worked hard in the backline to stem the flow but the Blues were not able to get their trademark run going out of defense. Some poor skill errors and turnovers were costly as the Blues were not able to penetrate the forward line on enough occasions. After quarter time, the Blues looked to stem the bleeding and to some extent they did. They reduced Collegians’ scoring by a third but were unfortunately only able to add two behinds to their own score. Tim Hunt was running all over the ground and collecting a myriad of possessions. Mick Monteith joined Brooke in trying to run the ball from defense but they continually hit a wall at half-forward as the Blues had no decisive forward thrusts.

At half time, the deficit was 55 points and the Blues had their work cut out. They needed the first few goals of the second half if they were to have any hope in the game. Pat Smith run hard and put some solid bumps on but he had too few teammates willing to go the extra mile with him. The Blues improved slightly on the second quarter as they kept the Lions to three goals and were able to add their second through Jack Watts. But it was not nearly enough. The last quarter was for the statisticians as Collegians kicked five more to thoroughly embarrass a disappointing Blues outfit. Dirk Heinz worked hard and Watts finished with two but it was a pretty ordinary day. At least it makes no difference to the Blues’ position on the ladder. They remain in fourth spot and will remain there for the remainder of the season unless there are some major upsets in the games involving fellow top four teams. Next week, the Blues return to the Main Oval for the first time in a while as they look to get back on a winning run.

University Blues: 3 – 8 – 26

Old Collegians: 18 – 10 – 118

Best: T.Hunt, M.Monteith, J.Brooke, P.Butko, D.Heinz, P.Smith

Goals: J.Watts 2, P.Butko 1

Reserves – Emphatic return to winner’s list

After a sound beating last week, the Mighty Uni Blues Twos were looking to make amends and return to the top two on the ladder. After watching Collegians dispose of the Blues in the Thirds, they knew that it would be no walk in the park. Players ran onto the ground expecting a battle and turned on one of their best quarters of football for the season. The Blues flew out of the blocks with Damon Byrne continually winning the ball in the middle of the ground and feeding out slick handballs to the run of James Van de Pol and Ben McClure. From there, it was all about Will Hartnell. He kicked three goals in the first quarter and should have kicked a fourth. Playing Hartnell’s decoy was Dave Paton, who managed to pull in a couple of timely marks. Blues came in at quarter time with a four-goal buffer and feeling pretty happy with themselves. Unfortunately they carried this attitude into the second quarter as the Blues sat back and spectated as Collegians worked their way back into the match. Some interesting decisions by those in charge also had an effect as Collegians kicked four goals to the Blues three to get back into the game. It could have been worse as some desperate defense and some poor misses meant that the Blues still had some breathing room at the main break. The third quarter was crucial to the outcome of the game. If Collegians added a couple more it was game on, but if the Blues were able to convert it was game over for the men in purple. Both sides surged at various times as the game hung in the balance. Tom Foott again demonstrated an incredible work ethic in the ruck and Hamish Rankin was similarly workmanlike in the muddy pitch area. When Jack Eastman kicked his third goal from another clever crumbing situation, the Blues looked to be home. In the final quarter, the Blues kicked away. Byrne kicked two goals in a brilliant solo display. His game for the day was outstanding. Another who was continually brilliant was Van de Pol as he ran and broke the lines. The Pol was almost untackleable in a brilliant evasive and skilful display. Hartnell added another to bring his total to six, while Paton kicked two to accumulate three for the day. Jack Heinz kicked two and took a number of diving chest marks. The win keeps the Blues in the hunt for the double chance as they hunt for their third in a row.

University Blues: 18 – 10 – 118

Old Collegians: 10 – 11 – 71

Best: J.Van de Pol, D.Byrne, W.Hartnell, T.Foott, H.Rankin, B.McClure

Goals: W.Hartnell 6, J.Eastman 3, D.Paton 3, D.Byrne 2, J.Heinz 2, A.Lyon 1, R.Wilson 1

Thirds – Costly misses in important clash

In an interrupted season, the Uni Blues Tertiary Team was looking to build some momentum for the run into finals. They took on Collegians in an early game on Harry Trott Oval and were caught napping at times. Collegians jumped out to an early lead as they slammed on five goals to two in the first quarter. Collegians did not miss a shot, which was to prove the difference as the game wore on. Will McLachlan was working well in the ruck and moving well around the ground, continuing his good form. The Blues worked their way back into the game in the second quarter. They kept Collegians to one major for the quarter as they kicked three goals. Dan Assouni was providing a great mobile target up forward as he slotted a couple for the quarter. Unfortunately the Blues missed too many of their opportunities as they nailed nine behinds and wasted some crucial chances. Derry Hayter was running typically hard and trying his best to inspire his teammates. At half time, the Blues lead by two points but should have been further in front. Coach Baumgartner urged his men to take their chances and to run out the game in style. Dave Marshall tried to marshal (pun intended) the troops in the third term but Collegians were able to kick four goals with the slight breeze to regain the lead. The Blues stared down a 13-point deficit at the final break and were hoping to run home with a wet sail. Assouni added his fourth but it was not enough. Collegians kicked three goals to the Blues’ one goal six behinds. Blues can blame poor kicking on the result but Collegians were able to take their chances better. Rory Kennedy played another solid game through the middle and Matt Rickards rebounded well from half back. The 20-point loss leaves the Blues in a precarious position. They need to win the remaining two games if they are to remain in the hunt to play finals in 2010. Coach Boomer will leave no stone unturned as he tries to get the best out of this group. The first step is to overcome Marcellin in a week’s time.

University Blues: 8 – 16 – 64

Old Collegians: 13 – 6 – 84

Best: D.Assouni, D.Hayter, D.Marshall, R.Kennedy, M.Rickards, W.McLachlan

Goals: D.Assouni 4, S.Curran 1, B.Hutchison 1, D.Marshall 1, R.Thompson 1

Under 19s – Dog Day against De La

The Uni Blues Under 19s came up against the top side De La Salle in an important match for the Blues as they look to slide into the four. De La Salle is unbeaten in Premier Under 19 this season and was always going to be formidable opponents. The Blues were able to limit the damage in the first quarter as De La kicked two goals five behinds but the Junior Blues could only get one behind for themselves. Charles Shaw only chose to play one game this week and it was for the Unders. He was in everything, working hard and trying to lift his team. After the first break the Blues came out and kicked three for the quarter with Toby Cohen snagging two and Shaw the other. But the junior Sallians kicked four to maintain the ascendancy into the main break. Coach Embling asked for more effort in the second half but it was to no avail. In a disappointing half, the Blues did not score for the remainder of the match as De La Salle took control. The less said about that half the better and the Blues were resolutely embarrassed. Embling was at wit’s end as he tried to manufacture some improvement. Shaw continued to go after the hard ball. Stuart Herben also collected some of the ball while Henry Hanlon tried hard. Other Blues to play well were the trio of Jared Edwards, Angus Nice and Shaun Bryce who have all been better performers for the Blues over the season. Unfortunately, good performances were few and far between as the Blues got thumped to the tune of 103 points. It will be a big ask of the Blues to reach the number four spot after that, but hopes aren’t extinguished just yet. The Blues will regroup and look to hit the front early in the game next week, then continue the momentum for the rest of the season. Go Blues.

University Blues: 3 – 1 – 19

De La Salle: 18 – 14 – 122

Best: C.Shaw, S.Herben, H.Hanlon, J.Edwards, A.Nice, S.Bryce

Goals: T.Cohen 2, C.Shaw 1