Seniors – Embarrassed In The Last
After a successful period during the season, University Blues have come back to Earth in the past two matches suffering heavy losses. This week it was the turn of Old Xaverians to inflict pain upon the Blues’ players. It was expected to be a close game as the Blues were third on the ladder and Xavs were fourth, but the Xavier old boys made a mockery of the ladder, running out 90 point winners. Old Xavs were in control from the beginning of the game, but thanks to some solid defensive efforts, the Blues remained within striking distance. Mark McLeod showed no ill effects after spending part of the season up north, and he played a decent rebounding role in his third senior game since returning. Continuing the alliteration theme, Al Austin was fantastic once again in a negating defensive position. The young Austin is regularly given the job on the opposition’s ‘power’ forward and rarely disappoints. At the main break, the Blues were 27 points down and in need of a big second half. Two hard on-ballers in Ben McConnell and veteran Mark Paterson did their best to inspire their team-mates. The two players were relishing the conditions as they continually put their bodies on the line to win the contested ball. Ruckman Jack Watts gave able assistance all around the ground as he once again showed that he is a giant of the competition. Both of Will Hartnell and Andrew Lowcock had two goals to their names by the final break. It wasn’t until the last quarter than things got ugly for the Blues. In a genuinely awful half hour, Xavs kicked eight goals and the Blues didn’t score. Sam Toulmin was a Blue that did not lower his colours but he was sadly in the minority. The result means that the Blues are in the top four by percentage with a crunch game coming up against second-placed St Bedes/Mentone Tigers this Saturday at the Main Oval.
University Blues: 8 – 7 – 55
Old Xaverians: 22 – 13 – 145
Best: A.Austin, J.Watts, B.McConnell, S.Toulmin, M.Paterson, M.McLeod
Goals: W.Hartnell 2, A.Lowcock 2, B.Merriman 1, C.Shaw 1, S.Toulmin 1, J.Watts 1
Reserves – Go Clear At The Top
In a mouth-watering top-of-the-table clash, The Mighty Uni Blues Twos took on Old Xaverians for reserve grade football supremacy. The Blues had only dropped one game for the season, while Xavs had dropped a game and a half. The winner would sit on top of the heap, while the second would bide their time in second place. Both teams started well making for a close first term. Albert Weddell picked up where he left off last week, gathering plenty of the ball, while Nick Hardie-Grant is showing some dash and carry off his wing and was driving the Blues forward. It was in the second quarter that the Blues inflicted the most damage. They added five goals while restricting Xavs to one. Max Allen provided a great mobile target up forward and he would end the day with three goals. At the main break, Coach Baumgartner was pleased with his players but he knew that Old Xaverians would challenge again. And they did. During the third quarter Xavs hit back hard on the ground, but it did not translate on the scoreboard. A fantastic defensive display, lead by Tom Maddocks and Ben Millard, limited the opposition to just two goals for the term. Maddocks and Millard marked everything that came their way and never let their direct opponents take an easy possession. Both teams battled it out in the final term, but the damage had been done earlier. The Blues held on to win by 27 points and retain the top spot. Tom Girdwood played a great game up forward, while Quinton Gleeson and Mick Steinbach both added two majors in the victory. The Blues have won both outings this season against their rivals, but this won’t necessarily translate to wins in September and the Blues know they must continue to improve.
University Blues: 12 – 6 – 78
Old Xaverians: 8 – 3 – 51
Best: T.Maddocks, B.Millard, A.Weddell, T.Girdwood, N.Hardie-Grant, M.Steinbach
Goals: M.Allen 3, Q.Gleeson 2, M.Steinbach 2, N.Hardie-Grant 1, B.Laidlaw 1, T.O’Hare 1, T.Girdwood 1, J.Maxwell 1
Thirds – Upset Fancied Opponent
University Blues Tertiary Team came up against top side Old Xaverians in a crunch game at Stradbroke Park. Xavs were unbeaten going into the game and the Blues needed to win to maintain their charge at the finals. In an inspiring first term, the Blues got off to a flyer kicking the first three goals of the game while keeping their opponents to three behinds. Mid-field terriers Chris Pyke and Dave Marshall were in everything, winning the hard ball and driving it forward to put pressure on the Xaverian’s defence. The Blues were a touch under-manned as they only had 19 players available, but after the great first quarter they displayed a lot of faith in each other. This was important as Xavs came back in the second. The Blues’ defence held firm with Aaron Harris leading the way and Cam Bradley getting back to give valuable assistance. At the main break, the Blues lead by 15 points. The second half turned into a battle of defences, as neither side could get a run of goals. Andrew Walsh and Henry Paez slotted two each and they were to prove crucial in a game where only 13 majors were scored. The Blues held their nerve in the final term when the fresher legs of the Xavs started their run home. A stellar display from Jason ‘The Huntsman’ Clifford and some great work from the quick Huw Spring saw the Blues home by four points. The win puts the Tertiary Term in the top four for the first time this season, and there was no better way to do it than to beat the previously unbeaten top side. The win gives Coach Girdwood’s men a lot of confidence going into the important part of the season.
University Blues: 7 – 11 – 53
Old Xaverians: 6 – 13 – 49
Best: C.Pyke, D.Marshall, J.Clifford, A.Harris, C.Bradley, H.Spring
Goals: A.Walsh 2, H.Paez 2, C.Pyke 1, J.Clifford 1, F.Mooney 1
Under 19s – Undone By Sallians
The tough season for the Junior Blues continued as they went down to top side De La Salle by 29 points on Saturday afternoon. The Blues slumped to their fourth consecutive loss and now sit third bottom, not far from relegation zone. It was the familiar faces of Will Cuningham and Tom Ruggles that were once again in the best players for the Blues. It was mentioned last week that Cuningham was a monty for the Unders’ best and fairest and he did his chances no harm with another best-afield display. Cult figure Ruggles has been challenged by his younger brother as best ‘Rugsy’ in the team, but he confirmed that the original is still the best as he tried to inspire his team-mates on a lousy day. De La Salle leapt to an early lead and it was, once again, poor kicking that meant the Blues couldn’t mount a successful comeback. As the behinds column continually ticked over, the Blues’ players started slumping, desperately needing goals to restore some belief. The margin was only 12 points at the main break and the Blues had three more scoring shots for the half but found themselves down. John Visser tried his best to get the Blues into the game with two much-needed goals but not enough of his mates could find the same gap through the two taller uprights. Despite seven scoring shots, the Blues could not add to their half time tally of three goals. Sam Driscoll has gone through a renaissance in the winter months and Ed McMullin was another that showed some character, as they both toiled away tirelessly. Henry Hanlon again showed that he is a Blue of the future with a polished display when he had the pill. Unfortunately for Coach Embling, these players could not do it without the aid of their team-mates. The Blues desperately need some wins in the last few weeks to restore some pomp and excitement to the young players. Go Blues.
University Blues: 3 – 17 – 35
De La Salle: 9 – 10 – 64
Best: W.Cuningham, J.Visser, T.Ruggles, H.Hanlon, E.McMullin, S.Driscoll
Goals: J.Visser 2, E.McMullin 1
