ROUND 5 UPDATE - v. BULLEEN TEMPLESTOWE

13th May 2008

SENIORS:
PANTHERS SHOW DETERMINATION AGAINST UNDEFEATED BULLEEN TEMPLESTOWE.
 
The Panthers took on an undefeated Bulleen Templestowe side on the weekend hoping cement our spot in the top 4 with a solid win.
 
The boys got off to a cracking start, with our attack on the footy a positive sign early. With Stevens and Ironmonger putting in some hard yards, and the bug dukes of Lane providing a strong target, the Panthers quickly opened up a 3 goal lead.
 
Bulleen soon found their feet however and responded with some strong play and hard running which wasn’t always matched by our boys. They found themselves on a bit of a role and kicked 9 of the next 10 goals to go into half time with a handy 5 goal lead. 
 
Specky’s words of inspiration during the main break had an effect on the boys after half time. Never giving up the belief that we could peg the lead back, the boys lifted their intensity and began chipping away at the 5 goal deficit. Thompson in particular stepped up and played his best game of the year, taking on the Ruck role in the second half and showing plenty of ticker against a much taller opponent.
 
Field and Carroll gave their all to the point of physical illness, challenging the rest of the boys to go with them all the way. Norton was certainly up for the challenge leading the team with his attack and flair and provided one of the highlights of the day with a roaring specky – in the process finding out that jumping over a pack can sometimes be easier than running through one head on!
 
Other stand out efforts included Messina’s straight line running to create a goal, Follet giving his all, and McClosky was great on his return - still playing under duress with fractured bones in his hand.
 
Despite the great effort put in by all, we were unable to peg back the gap far enough to take the chocolates. Bulleen eventual winners by 3 straight kicks.
 
If we can take something out of the loss it’s that the 2008 Panthers are a proud bunch of men - the fighting spirit saw the boys keep giving right to the end, winning the second half and taking it right up the league leaders in their own backyard. Just wait until the return leg at Keysey.
 
 
 
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
BULLEEN TEMPLESTOWE
5.2
10.4
12.6
13.10-88
OLD MENTONIANS
4.2
5.3
8.6
10.10-70
 
OLD MENTONIANS
Goal Kickers: B. Lane 3, D. Cochrane 2, L. Mitchell 2, N. Fisher, R. Ironmonger, T. Speers
Best Players: B. Norton, R. Ironmonger, C. Follett, J. Thompson, D. Field, M. McCloskey
 
 
 

RESERVES:

Panthers dig deep to take important victory away from Bulleen Templestowe

With injuries to a few key players, and a few players not 100% fit, it was always going to be a huge task taking on Bulleen Templestowe at Ted Ajani reserve. There were probably a few who thought the task too big, however the 22 that took the field last Saturday were determined to do whatever it took to achieve a memorable victory.

After 4 slow starts in the first 4 weeks, it was imperative that we got off to a good start. Bulleen Templestowe had got off to a great start to the season, with 3 impressive wins, and was certainly expected to take it up to the Panthers early in the game. As soon as the ball was bounced, it was clear that this was going to be a fight all the way to the end, with both sides attacking the footy with aggression and determination. Both teams tackled and ran hard throughout the first quarter, and by the 1st break there was only 1 point in it. The scene was set, and what remained was to see what sort of character the 2008 Panther Reserves have.

Early in the 2nd quarter the Panthers trailed by a couple of goals, and the game looked in danger of slipping away, however with James Dodd having his best game this year in the ruck, and getting plenty of the footy around the ground, the Panthers began to claw back the deficit. The back 6, led by Dave Alexander at centre half back, were as solid as a rock, repelling attack after attack, whilst up forward, 2 old timers in Tony Bournon and Pete Flaskis were proving a handful for the opposition back men. The highlight of the quarter were the number of “one percenters” from the Panthers, with an amazing 8 smothers in 2 minutes at one stage. It was also great to see the impact of 2 players having their first game for the year, Blake ‘Billy’ Carroll & Richie ‘Pipes’ Schloeffel. By the main break, we had wrestled back the lead, and went in 5 points ahead.

After the main break the intensity rose another level, as both teams continued to trade blows. Neither team could get a substantial break, however the Panthers kept doing all the team things, tackling, smothering, shepherding, and running to support, and this helped create an 8 point lead at the last change. Shane Alexander continued to use the ball with sublime skill, and James Kelly gave some really damaging run out of the back line.

The last quarter started off the same as the first three had been played, and it wasn’t until more than half way through that the boys from Bulleen Templestowe finally began to show a few cracks. The Panthers ran the game right out, and were attacking the ball as hard at the last bouce as they were at the first. A memorable 28 point win was the result, and although a lot of players barely had the energy to drag themselves off the ground, they all gave one last effort to belt out the club song and almost lift the roof of the club rooms.

Overall it was a fantastic team effort, with all 22 players walking off with their heads held high, and the understanding that this team has the ability to be a major player this year. There were too many amazing individual efforts to mention.

Next week sees the opportunity to take on Old Geelong at Keysborough, and erase the memory of last year’s Grand Final loss. Bring it on.

 BULLEEN TEMPLESTOWE       3.3        5.6        8.10      9.11-65

 

OLD MENTONIANS                   3.2        6.5        10.6      14.9-93

 

 

Goal Kickers: P. Flaskis 5, T. Bournon 4, M. Jenkins 2, P. Monahan, M. Siemers, S. Alexander
Best Players: P. Monahan, P. Flaskis, S. Alexander, J. Dodd, J. Kelly, T. Rooke

 U19's:

 

It was another long day for the Under 19’s on Saturday when we travelled to Mazenod..  We were again undermanned starting the game with eighteen players.  At one stage we were down to sixteen and finished the game with seventeen on the field.  Many of our players had already played for the school that morning against Assumption.

We started in good fashion, with Sam Kent kicking his first goal for the Club after two minutes of play.  However Mazenod gradually pulled away and were too strong, especially in the third quarter.

At no stage did our players “throw it in ” and continued to battle hard day..  Kyle Goulding returned to the team after having been unavailable last week and was outstanding, dominating the ruck and winning many possessions around the ground.  Our captain, James Fisher was very good at full back, battling well against much bigger and stronger opponents.  Other good players were Matt “Golly” Christopoulos, Jamie Brohier, Dave Bardoel and Jarrod Lumsden.  Mitch Brown and Mark Gledhill, after having kicked the majority of the score for the School in the morning, again were the focus of our forward line on

Next week the Under 19’s play at Beaumaris.

OMFC:              1.2        3.3        5.5        8.7.55

Mazenod:          4.8        12.9      23.11    29.17 -191

BEST:               K. Goulding, J. Fisher,  D. Bardoel, J. Lumsden, M. Brown, M. Christopoulos

GOALS:            M. Brown 3, M. Gledhill 2, D. Bardoel, S. Kent, J. Lumsden