Round 14 v Old Geelong: Lost by 124, Ressies: Lost by 58

1st August 2006

It was a bleak day for the Old Mentonians last Saturday as all three of the club’s teams were defeated.  The only bright spot for the day was that the Under 19 team played exceptionally well to go down to the undefeated Old Haileybury by only eight points.

On the big ground at Como Park the Panthers’ senior team  started well, and looked to be in contention against Old Geelong, a team settled in the top four.  With ruckman Matthew Austin playing well and supplying midfielders Justin Costello, Peter Flaskis and Richie Schloeffel with plenty of opportunities, the ball was continually driven forward.  Brent Fairbanks returned to the team and lined up deep in the forward line, rather than taking up his usual position at full back.  The move succeeded, with Fairbanks kicking three first quarter goals.

The Panthers ran well and tackled and contested fiercely and took the game right up to Old Geelong.  At quarter time the visitors led by thirteen points and after an even second quarter the Panthers took a ten point lead at the half time break, and the second half promised to be a great battle for the four points.

However the Old Mentonians could not continue with their game plan after half time and Old Geelong completely outplayed the Panthers, kicking twenty two goals to one in the second half.  All of the tenacity and determination which the Toners exhibited in the first two quarters disappeared and it looked like Old Geelong were at a training session, rather than competing in a game for premiership points.  Good players for the Panthers were very few, with club captain Costello and Schloeffel continuing to play well and Michael Watts playing a loan hand in defence.

The game ended on a further sour note, with ruckman Matthew Austin suffering what appeared to be a season ending injury with ten minutes left to play in the game.

The Panthers will need to dig deep next week when they host second placed Bulleen-Templestowe at Keysborough while the Under 19’s travel down the Peninsula to take on Powerhouse–South Mornington.


Seniors:


  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
OLD GEELONG FC 0.0 0.0 0.0 28.12-180
OLD MENTONIANS 0.0 0.0 0.0 8.8-56


OLD MENTONIANS
Goal Kickers: B. Fairbanks 3, S. Cleeve, J. Costello, P. Flaskis, A. Mort, C. Twentyman
Best Players: J. Costello, M. Watts, R. Schloeffel, P. Flaskis, M. Austin, B. Fairbanks



Ressies:

  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
OLD GEELONG FC 0.0 0.0 0.0 17.14-116
OLD MENTONIANS 0.0 0.0 0.0 9.4-58


OLD MENTONIANS
Goal Kickers: M. Stroud 4, R. Alexander, C. Dwyer, T. Millis, J. Williams, G. Dart
Best Players: J. Williams, C. Dwyer, M. Elliott, T. Millis, C. Follett, J. O''Brien