Double the delight in the Mecwacare Masters

Round 3 of the Mecwacare Masters kicked off at Marcellin College on Sunday with the first “double header” of the Masters season.

The first game of the double header saw Marcellin Bald Eagles (Maroon) hosting St Kevin’s Old Boys. This was SKOB’s second game of the season with their Round 2 fixture against Marcellin Bald Eagles (blue) postponed to a later date. The game started at a ferocious pace, with the Sherrin bouncing around between both sides attacking 50m arcs with SKOB’s able to slowly win the territory battle. It wasn’t until the 5 minute mark of the first term before the first goal was kicked from an opportunistic snap by SKOB’s Treasurer, Ray Short. This started a run of 4 unanswered goals which included majors from Gerard Holland and Ben Marchesani before the Baldies first goal kicked by Nick Little helped to steady the ship heading into quarter time. 

A dominant second quarter from SKOB’s earmarked by a 5-minute blitz from SKOB’s captain Ricky Caldow all but sealed the victory and sent SKOB’s into the break with an 8-goal lead. The second half allowed some of the skills of Masters football to be put on display with SKOB’s Patrick Boyle dominating through the middle and adding to his goal kicking tally with regularity and finishing the day with 3 majors. The highlight of the Baldies day came in the final term with Grant Hudson showing his touch and talent with a beautiful one-handed pick up and disposal on the half back flank which started a chain of Baldies possession that resulted in a goal from 45m on the run from Hudson. 

Former AFL big man Mark Graham was also solid for the baldies across half back setting up many forays forward with elite decision making and execution. A 2 goal a piece final quarter demonstrated the close contest for the day even if the final scoreboard didn’t reflect the competitiveness of the game. SKOB’s ended up with a 63-point win which sees them move to 1-1 for the season while the Baldies (Maroon) are still searching for their first win of the 2022 season. 

The second game of the double header was between Marcellin Bald Eagles (Blue) and Oakleigh. By this time of the day the atmosphere at Marcellin Oval was fantastic with families gathered, 4 Masters teams enjoying the day and a clear blue sky. 

The first quarter was a goal for goal affair with the opening major of the game being a classy crumbing snap from Oakleigh’s Steve Doherty, the first quarter was played at breakneck speed and a goal on the siren from Oakleigh’s Tim Doherty cancelled out a fantastic check side from the Baldies Anthony McGlin to tie the first quarter at 3.1 apiece. 

The second quarter was an arm wrestle with only 1 goal kicked which gave Oakleigh a slender 7-point lead going into the main break. In the second half the game opened up with a 4 goal to 1 burst from Oakleigh stretching the lead. A 5-goal performance from Cameron Kirkup helped Oakleigh extend their 3-quarter time lead to a comfortable 38 point win. The win puts Oakleigh’s season at 2 wins and 1 loss after 3 rounds with Marcellin Baldies Blue sitting at 0 from 1 after their Round 2 fixture was postponed and also a first round Bye.

Round 4 see’s a Marcellin Baldies head-to-head clash with Maroon taking on Blue at Marcellin College on Sunday May 15th and De La Salle hosting St Kevin’s Old Boys at Waverley Oval. 

ROUND 3 WEEKEND SCOREBOARD

MARCELLIN BALD EAGLES MAROON 1.0 (6) 2.0 (12) 4.1 (25) 6.3 (39)

ST KEVINS 4.2 (26) 8.9 (57) 13.11 (89) 15.12 (102)

MARCELLIN BALD EAGLES MAROON

Goal Kickers: F. Chirico 2, N. Little 2, G. Hudson, P. O”connell

ST KEVINS

Goal Kickers: P. Holland 3, R. Caldow 3, P. Boyle 3, S. Sexton 2, R. Short 2, T. O”Hanlon, B. Marchesani
Best Players: C. Kuchel, T. O”Hanlon, P. Boyle, P. Holland, R. Caldow, B. Marchesani

MARCELLIN BALD EAGLES BLUE 3.1 (19) 3.2 (20) 4.4 (28) 5.5 (35)

OAKLEIGH 3.1 (19) 4.2 (26) 8.5 (53) 11.7 (73)

MARCELLIN BALD EAGLES BLUE

Goal Kickers: P. Fiorenza 3, D. Cracknell 2

OAKLEIGH

Goal Kickers: C. Kirkup 5, T. Doherty 3, R. Tily, S. Doherty, R. Nahas
Best Players: T. Doherty, C. Hogan, G. Saultry, C. Kirkup , M. Harrison, L. Taunt