Seniors – Go Down Against Desperate Scotch

On a perfect on August day, the Blues played their last game on the Main Oval for the season against relegation-threatened Old Scotch. Teams in the drop zone are often hard to beat and so it proved in front of a large crowd under the Ormond clocktower. The Blues started the game brightly, clearly being the better of the two teams in a scrappy game. They kept Scotch goal-less in the first term thanks to some great defensive work form Al Austin and John Meagher. The Blues pressed their advantage in the second term and slid to a 31 point lead by the time the siren sounded for half time. Tim O’Hare was lively in the forward line as he kicked three goals, while Jack Watts took some solid grabs to kick three as well. People came from far and wide to enjoy the best afternoon tea in the Amateurs but as supporters were enjoying the terrine, Old Scotch were plotting to make minced meat of the Blues. The Cardinals came out after the break in full knowledge that their future in Premier section was on the line. They tackled and harassed their opponents, causing the Blues to turn over the ball. Old Scotch capitalised, kicking five goals for the term to reduce the margin to only nine points at the final break. On the muddy ground it was not surprising to see Ben McConnell and Mark Paterson come to the fore for the Blues. In a scrap, these players always put their bodies on the line and they fought to keep the Blues in front. The final quarter was a tense affair. Old Scotch kicked two goals early to get their noses in front and then looked to hang on for the remaining 15 minutes. It was desperate as the Blues repeatedly tried to score a goal but the Cardinals defended courageously to deny the Blues repeatedly. Right up to the last minute of the game, it looked as though the Blues may goal but the siren sounded with the ball deep in the Blues forward line. Scotch won the game by two points to, most likely, avoid the drop. For the Blues, they remain in fourth position thanks to another relegation upset. However, they will need to improve in the run into finals.

University Blues: 9 – 7 – 61

Old Scotch: 9 – 9 – 63

Best: A.Austin, B.McConnell, P.Hayes, T.O’Hare, J.Watts, M.Paterson

Goals: T.O’Hare 3, J.Watts 3, S.Chadwick 1, S.Toulmin 1, P.Hayes 1

Reserves – Exact Revenge On Finger Biscuits

The Mighty Uni Blues Twos leapt from the blocks as they kicked five in the first term to Old Scotch’s one. The Cardinals are the only side to have beaten the Blues this year, and the Blues were obviously looking to pay them back. Will Hartnell started well up forward kicking three in the first term and looking likely to kick a big bag. The Blues extended their advantage in the second term while keeping Scotch to one goal for the entire half. After starting the game on the interchange, Lachlan Michell came on and was immediately useful. He used the ball cleverly and timed his play well to have an impact on the outcome. During the long break, the Blues lead by 46 points. Experienced players Quinton Gleeson and Pat Smith got the Blues going again in the second half. Gleeson was smart and tough through the middle while Smith (2 goals) was a great target as a high half forward. David Withers got in on the act, kicking four goals for the game in his best return for the year. To be fair, Withers has mostly played as a defender this season. In the final term, players were clamouring to join the goal kickers as the Blues ran out 91 point winners. One player who kicked a pair was Jason Maguire as he continued his consistent season playing as a hard onballer. After a bright start Hartnell finished the game with five and Coach Baumgartner was very pleased, especially after last week’s lacklustre showing by the team against Old Carey.

University Blues: 19 – 11 – 125

Old Scotch: 4 – 10 – 34

Best: D.Withers, W.Hartnell, P.Smith, J.Maguire, Q.Gleeson, L.Michell

Goals: W.Hartnell 5, D.Withers 4, J.Maguire 2, P.Smith 2, A.Lyon 1, Q.Gleeson 1, N.Hardie-Grant 1, B.Merriman 1, J.Heinz 1, D. Heinz 1

Thirds – Under-manned But Too Good

The University Blues Tertiary Team again demonstrated how much they have improved this season under Coach Girdwood. With a spot in the four to play for, they took down Old Scotch to the tune of 85 points on Crawford Oval. The Blues began the day with only two players on the bench but ended the day with three, as players became injured and could not continue. After a tight first quarter, the Blues cut loose in the second term. They kicked nine goals to one to take the game away from their counterparts in red. Billy Girdwood was instrumental in the rout, winning the ball from contested situations and then going forward to kick three majors. Captain and spiritual leader Dave Marshall (2 goals) was another who broke free and cleared the ball to give his forwards first use of the Sherrin. A 64 point lead meant that there was little chance of a Cardinal fightback, but as the Blues were reduced to 17 fit players, Scotch had a sniff. Thanks to players such as Dan Gumley, the Blues were able to extinguish any thought of a Scotch revival. Gumley, and fellow key back Will Robinson, regularly won the ball in the air then ran it out of defence at pace to set up another forward thrust. Nick MacRae, in his return from injury, and Andrew Walsh were always dangerous up forward as they hit packs and marked to kick three each. Jim Westmore took time out of his band schedule to slot three and was useful all over the ground. Another player to find plenty of the pill was Rory Kennedy as he linked the ball between back and forward via his wing. Max Allen kicked a brace in the win to all but assure the Tertiary Team of finals football this season.

University Blues: 20 – 12 – 132

Old Scotch: 6 – 11 – 47

Best: W.Girdwood, D.Gumley, N.MacRae, D.Marshall, R.Kennedy, J.Westmore

Goals: A.Walsh 3, W.Girdwood 3, J.Westmore 3, N.MacRae 3, D.Marshall 2, M.Allen 2, D.Gumley 1, D.Parkinson 1, R.Kennedy 1, D.Carmody 1

Under 19s – Finish The Season Badly

The Junior Blues’ season ended on a sour note when they went down to bottom side University Blacks on a perfect day at the Crawford Oval. The Blacks signalled their intentions at the outset when they slammed on six goals to zip in the first term to send a shudder through the Blues’ camp. Coach Embling implored his players to improve in the second term and they did, but only slightly. By half-time the game was effectively won by the Blacks as they went into the rooms with a 50 point lead. Daniel Zambon did his best to stem the flow as he threw himself at contests while on the ball and across the backline. In the forward line, Sandon James was providing a target but his fellow Blues couldn’t get it down to him enough. The Blues came out with a point to prove in the second half and duly won the half. James finished the day with three goals in a solid showing. Sam Dalton and Angus Smith were useful and both slotted a goal as the Blues tried to claw their way back. Accurate kicking again cost the Blues as they only had three fewer shots but kicked seven fewer goals. Other players to end their season on a relative high were Ed McMullin and Sam Driscoll as they enjoyed the perfect August weather. The Blacks 38 point win means that they hold bragging rights over their stablemate over the long summer, despite finishing in last place on the Under 19 ladder. The Junior Blues will be able to drown their sorrows and prepare for the off-season at Art Pavvy. Go Blues.

University Blues: 7 – 14 – 56

University Blacks: 14 – 10 – 94

Best: D.Zambon, S.Dalton, A.Smith, E.McMullin, S.Driscoll, S.James

Goals: S.James 3, A.Smith 1, S.Dalton 1, E.McMullin 1, C.Spalding 1