R10: Seniors won by 8, Reserves won by 27

2nd July 2009

Seniors

 

 

Taking on Fitzroy at the Keysborough Playing Fields in a game that could make or break their season, the Old Mentonians showed plenty of fighting spirit to prevail in a close contest. The win sees the Panthers regain fourth spot on the ladder.

 

 

 

 

The Old Mentonians started well in the first quarter but started inaccurately in front of goal to not fully capitalise on their opportunities. With four behinds from the first five scoring shots, the Panthers could have been kicking themselves out of the contest. Three straight goals to finish the quarter saw the home side three points up at the first change.

 

 

 

 

The Old Mentonians played some good quality football during the second quarter. With a call to play on at all costs and take risks, the Panthers started to run the ball well through the middle of the ground. Brad Norton and Matthew Wilton were amongst the on ballers providing the drive, while the forwards took most of their opportunities. Five goals to two for the quarter saw the Panthers 22 points up at the main break.

 

 

 

 

The talk at half time was about continuing the running game and remaining positive no matter what the state of the game. As has been a common problem so far this season, the Old Mentonians seemed to come out flat in the third quarter as Fitzroy kicked the first five goals of the quarter to take the lead. The signs were ominous but the Panthers managed to steady in the final ten minutes and the two sides went to three quarter time with scores level.

 

 

 

 

The final quarter was an arm wrestle as both sides were desperate for the win. Fitzroy scored the first goal before the Old Mentonians replied via a brilliant snap goal over his head by Stuart Cleeve. The Panthers scored the next goal through Chris Graham who had his second straight best on ground performance. Fitzroy hit back though to tie the scores up again. A couple of behinds from gettable shots saw the Old Mentonians two points up before Andrew Eaton kicked the sealer. It was a mixture of jubilation and relief as the siren sounded to confirm a crucial victory for the Panthers.

 

 

 

 

Next week the Old Mentonians will be looking to continue their momentum when they take on Whitefriars away, while the Under 19’s take on local rivals Beaumaris at the Keysborough Playing Fields.

(Side note: Chris Graham got an interesting headling in the local paper this week. Click here for the article)

 

 

 

 

OMFC:           4.4       9.6       11.10  14.13  (97)

 

 

Fitzroy:           4.1       6.2       12.4    14.5    (89)

 

 

 

 

Best:  Graham, Norton, Wilton , Palmer, Felsenthal, Prowse

 

 

Goals:  Graham 5, Eaton 2, Rowlands 2, Norton, Teasdale, Carroll, Prowse, Cleeve

 

 

 

 

Reserves

 

 

The Reserves were also involved in a must win game against Fitzroy. We were a game behind Fitzroy going into the match so a loss would have left us two games out of fourth with little chance of making the finals.

 

 

 

 

As we did in the previous game against Fitzroy, we started the match well and dominated the play in the first quarter. The dominance wasn’t quite reflected on the scoreboard because of missed shots. The lead was 16 points at quarter time but could have been bigger. Fitzroy hit back in the second quarter with four goals to one and scores were level at half time.

 

 

 

 

There was a determination in the rooms at half time not to capitulate like we had in the previous encounter against Fitzroy. The Panthers displayed that determination on the field in the third quarter with five goals to one to set up a 23 point lead at three quarter time. The lead was pushed out to 45 points during the final quarter before Fitzroy kicked three late goals. The win was dedicated to coach Dave Cafarella whose father had passed away during the week.

 

 

 

 

OMFC:           5.6       6.9       11.9    15.10  (100)

 

 

Fitzroy:           3.2       7.3       8.4       11.7    (73)

 

 

 

 

Best:  M. Lumsden, D. Alexander, Fisher, S. Alexander, Field, Bardoel

 

 

Goals:  Bardoel 4, Fisher 3, R. Alexander 2, Jenkins 2, S. Alexander 2, O’Brien, Stevens