Division 1: Kew find love in the nick of time

Posted on - Latest News, Featured, Division 1 Men's, Finals

By WIlliam Balme – @balmey21

What a cracking fortnight it will be in Division 1 after the weekend’s events. Neutral observers were letting me know how much they enjoyed the contest between Kew and Ormond on Saturday over the weekend, and as a participant in the game, I couldn’t help but agree. It was full bore from go to woe, and it is safe to suggest that a fierce rivalry, that already had flames from yesteryear, is burning strong. Kew pulled off a sensational upset over the raging flag favourites, and with that comes the twist of something pretty special. Old Geelong now has a chance to usurp the anointed one in the preliminary final. They comfortably beat St Mary’s Salesian, who will go back to the drawing board in order to rebuild for 2016 and beyond. They’ll no doubt be a threat once again next season. It is important to acknowledge the ongoing support of staff, players, family, friends and amateur football supporters in general as both games received strong support despite the horrible weather conditions.

Second Semi Final Review

Ormond’s Reserves came away with a strong 30-point win over Kew in the curtain raiser at Sportscover Arena, in a result that the Ormond faithful would have hoped would be a premonition for the day’s events. For Kew, a spot in Premier C appeared unlikely leading into the game, with two of their key forwards missing and Sam Bishop taking the reins as head coach in the absence of Ian Aitken. However, at the end of a brutal, hard first quarter, only a solitary point separated the sides. Mal Michael was dangerous in the ruck, feeding Mason and the Simons, but equally from Kew’s perspective, the energy of ‘Sprinkler’ Delbridge, Margaritas (who set the tone with a bone crunching tackle) and Jones was impressive. It was a seesawing battle from there. Ormond’s Lucas Hemming went down with a knee injury and Kew’s Michael Henderson was left groggy after an incidental hit. Simon Keleher was mopping up behind play for Ormond, but the continued forward thrusts from Kew inevitably led to scoring opportunities, including an outstanding snap goal from young gun Jett Guerin. At half time, Kew had taken an 8-point lead.

One of the most intriguing battles on the ground was played out in the ruck as Paul Brough went up against a combination of Michael, Haysom and Martinov. It was one of the orchestrators of the momentum swings, as the third quarter saw Kew kick the first two goals before Ormond stormed back into contention on the back of two crucial Isaiah Tahana goals and some valuable run from Nick Edwards before three quarter time. At this stage, the margin had been reduced to 3 points in favour of Kew. The run of Kew, which seemed to have stopped in the last ten minutes of the third term, returned in spades with Darcy Spencer, Zac Jones and Kyle Margaritas pushing the ball forward to the dangerous Andrew ‘DONK’ Doxey, Pete Couvalias and the irrepressible Jett Guerin. Kew converted four goals to Ormond’s nil, pushing the margin out to 27 points by the final siren. Perhaps the man with the biggest grin on the ground at the end of the contest was injured leading goalkicker Andrew Brazzale, closely followed by Ian Aitken. Kew secured their third straight promotion, and reenters the Premier Sections for the first time since 1995. They’ll have to combat a hungry Ormond or the menacing Old Geelong to win their third straight premiership though.

First Semi Final Review

It wasn’t quite the inspired First Semi Final fixture that we all hoped for, as Old Geelong scuttled the unlikely hopes of St Mary’s Salesian reaching Premier C. From the outset, Old Geelong dominated proceedings, kicking 5.1 to 0.1 in the first stanza. Their frenzied attack in the middle, starting with Youngman who kicked 2 goals, along with big, bustling Sandon James. From that point on, St Mary’s Salesian was playing catch up and although they didn’t fall too far off the pace, they couldn’t manage to win a quarter, losing the game by 42 points. It was an impressive feat from Old Geelong, who lost to the Saints the week before in the final round of the H&A season. I guess once again, it shows that games in the latter part of the H&A rounds have to be taken with a grain of salt when ladder positions are practically solidified.

Old Geelong seemed to manage the wet conditions better than St Mary’s Salesian, who couldn’t find targets up forward on a consistent basis. Sandon James was the surprise packet for Old Geelong. ‘Sando’, who is usually overshadowed by key forward counterparts Jack McMeel and Callum Wood, played a huge part of Old Geelong’s comprehensive victory. He has been a tough matchup for most sides throughout the year, as his burly frame and strong hands make him a dangerous proposition. Another man who has had a fine season, and furthered his reputation with a strong September performance was Brad Gore out of the midfield. He was well assisted by youngster Charles ‘Neil’ Youngman and Jordy O’Brien. For St Mary’s Salesian, Gary Puruntatameri kicked 3 to finish an excellent season and James Rogers finished his career with a workmanlike performance in the ruck and up forward.

Wayne Weidemann’s Preliminary Final Preview

Holy Mama! Here we are. Preliminary Final weekend. And what a feast we have on offer for a Saturday afternoon at Waverley Oval. Ormond and Old Geelong will fight it out for promotion and a spot in the Grand Final against Kew. Throughout the year, Ormond has taken the chocolates both times in their encounters. The first time, they emerged 12-point winners at the Como and they smashed the Oggers by 57 points at E. E. Gunn. However, as we all know, prelims bring surprises. In saying that, Old Geelong will have to bring their absolute best to knock off a solid unit. No brainer of the week: the best two sides usually meet in the Grand Final, and with players like Chisholm, Oaten and Coghlan looking to bounce back from their semi final performances, Wayne and I think they’ll set up a rematch with Kew in two weeks time. In the reserves, I expect Kew to make it an Ormond-Kew double in the Grand Final.

Ormond by 8 points.

TIPS
Ormond v Old Geelong