ROUND 8 UPDATE

6th June 2008

SENIORS
 
A perfect day for football at Keysborough as we welcomed the 2-5 South Melbourne Districts, a team we had not met before but one that had come up through the grades the last few years and not to be taken lightly. After s shocker at Fitzroy last week, it was important to get back on the winners list before the Queens Birthday weekend break. Big in’s being Graham for his first game for the club and Snowy and Eaton from the VFL, helping compensate the loss of Co-Captain Danny Carroll.
 
With the Ressies having a big win and a luncheon on, OMFC looked set for a big day in front of our home crowd. An even first quarter saw the panthers take a 7 point lead into quarter time. Cochrane and Bardoel were busy up forward in the first half as to was Ironmonger. While McCloskey, Mitvalsky and the much improved Field in the backline helped set up a 15 point panther half time lead.
 
The stage looked set for a big last half but we came out flat after halftime and watched our lead slip away. South Melbourne clearing the ball from the middle with ease saw them add 6 goals to our 1 (by Ironmonger) and leaving us with a 22 point 3 quarter time deficit.
 
Bardoel chimed in with 2 last quarter goals along with Chicken Palmer. Teasdale, Norton and Mitchell tried hard, but it was not to be as Sth Melb again outscored us to give us a 4 goal loss.
 
Now sitting 4-4 at the Queens Birthday break, we must regroup before we face Prahran at Toorak Park in a must win game at the half way mark of the season.
 
SOUTH MELBOURNE DIST.       3.3       8.5       14.14 19.15-129
OLD MENTONIANS                        4.4       10.8    11.10 15.15-105
 
OLD MENTONIANS
Goal Kickers: D. Bardoel 4, D. Cochrane 3, R. Ironmonger 3, C. Graham, D. Teasdale, A. Palmer, J. Moon, A. Eaton
Best Players: D. Field, R. Ironmonger, M. McCloskey, L. Mitchell, D. Teasdale, B. Norton
 
Reserves Stamp Authority Early and Return to Winners List
 

OLD MENTONIANS                  8.4        17.7      21.8      28.12-180

 

SOUTH MELBOURNE DIST     2.0        4.0        7.2        9.3-57

 

“Unless we win today, the season is over”. It is one of those too often used phrases at a footy club, but there is no doubt that with 3 wins, and 4 loses, the 2008 Panther Reserves season was over, unless a good win was achieved on Saturday. And each of the 22 selected took it upon themselves to make sure the season was not only alive, but to send a message to the competition that we are a force to be reckoned with.
 
For the 2nd week in a row we were greeted with near perfect conditions, and it took just three minutes for our dominance to be asserted. Three straight goals and the game was effectively over. The midfield attacked the ball, and left their opponents flat footed, ensuring that with quick movements the forwards had every advantage. And with the best full forward in the comp, who ended with a lazy 10 goals for the afternoon, it was always going to be a long day for the South Melbourne boys.
 
This dominant trend continued in the 2nd quarter, with continued drive from Dale Messina who gained umpteen possessions and used the ball with great effectiveness. By the main break, the result was clearly a forgone conclusion. The dominance was clear, and also gave a few of the boys who’s defensive efforts had been so great this year a chance to show up their opponents and push forward creating even more danger. Kym Reagan, ran hard and created numerous attacks that ended in goals, whilst Matty Elliott was a rock across half back, taking strong marks and setting up our attacking efforts.
 
The constant theme of the 1st half was running hard, and working together. Although the scoreboard made it look easy, it was apparent in the rooms that the huge effort had certainly used a lot of energy. After the break South Melbourne was more competitive, almost winning the 3rd quarter. However, with great resolve, the boys picked up the effort again and further hurt the visitors to run out 123 point winners.
 
The break will be welcomed by all, especially the older brigade, and the chance to reach the half way mark with 5 wins and 4 loses should surely be enough to motivate the boys to turn it on in a fortnight at ToorakPark.

 

Goal Kickers: T. Bournon 10, A. Kiantos 4, S. Alexander 3, P. Monahan 2, B. Coghlan, P. Flaskis, A. Noonan, J. Prowse, R. Goulding, T. Speers, P. Gartner, J. Dodd, D. Messina
Best Players: T. Bournon, K. Regan, D. Messina, P. Monahan, M. Elliott, A. Wilson

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
UNDER 19’s
 
The Under 19’s struggled against Caulfield on Saturday, but some positives came out of the game. Although we played poorly in the first half, the players rallied, an d although the scores do not reflect it; we played a far better style of football in the final two quarters. We also welcomed three new players to the Club, Daniel Alexander, Cam Labrooy and Terry Suy who all contributed well. In addition we have registered another five players this week to bolster our ranks.
 
Jarrod Lumsden, either playing across half back or on the ball, was our best player. He was well supported by Mike Myers-Snyders, who was very good playing as a loose man in defence, and Daniel Hull, who enjoyed his move from the backline to centre half forward. Kyle Goulding also played well until injured. His inability to finish the game was compounded to injuries to two other key players in Mark Gledhill and Lachlan Stanley. Sam Kent and Matt Christopoulos were also good contributors.
 
The two highlights of the day came from two of our new players. Cam Labrooy showed great skill in kicking truly from a difficult angle to bring up a goal with ghis first kick for the panthers, while the courage shown by Daniel Alexander in standing his ground to contest a mark while a pack of players descended on him was outstanding.
 
 
OMFC:                     2.3        2.5       4.9                   4.9 (33)
Caulfield:                  8.5       18.8    24.11              30.16 (196)
 
Goal Kickers: K. Goulding, J. Lumsden, S. Kent, C. Labrooy
 
Best Players: J. Lumsden, M. Myers-Snyders, D. Hull, S. Kent, C. Labrooy,
D. Alexander