Uni Blues’ website following their 30-point loss to De La Salle

Our scribe was nervous about this match. Despite two consecutive wins to the Blues, the loss of a few big boys pre-game meant there was a weakness in the named side. Add the fact the De La revived their season with a massive turnaround the previous week and it was game on.

The early signs were good for the Blues. Jack Watts playing forward was troubling the De La defence and the Blues midfield were efficient in their use and delivery of the ball. However, the Blues didn’t quite take advantage of their early possession and the hard running De La were able to get back level at the quarter-time break.

The second term was an arm wrestle for the majority of it. Contested possession was a key factor early on, however the De La midfield began to get on top through first use and movement at the contest. In recent years you would not say that De La’s big men would give you too much trouble (due to the lack of them), however with the absence of Cam Williams, De La’s big man Farrato began to take over at the stoppages.

Uni Blacks’ website following their 20-point win over Old Scotch

I can’t work out whether we did really well against a quality opposition and should be happy with our performance, or if we overestimate Old Xavs/underestimate ourselves and we should have come away with the points from Saturday’s game. As it stands we lost the game by 35 points largely on the back of two quick opposition goals before half time and a short attacking burst in the third quarter.

We entered uncharted territory by leading for the majority of the first half however as echoed in the Xavs match report we were lacklustre in front of goals despite appearing  to have more forward 50 entries and more clearances.  There were some great individual efforts around the ground from the Blackers and the tackling was simply incredible, so our effort was certainly not to blame. On reflection, there were a few small holes in our game plan and that is all it takes for a quality side to sneak away with a victory.

The first quarter was strongly fought and we entered the first break neck and neck. The ball was being won on the inside by the big bodies of Cleary and Pinkerton and the sharp hair cut of Hildebrandt, with poise and finesse our forward movement was at a game high and was typified by Ezra Freeman’s mark and goal. (Read More)

St Bernard’s website following their 116-point win against Beaumaris

Ladder leaders St Bernard’s travelled down the Beach Road to take on Beaumaris who are struggling to avoid relegation.  Pre match we learned that Beaumaris had been forced to make nine changes to their side from last week.  Conversely, we looked to have a strong side with the inclusion of Chad Jones, Sam Fleming and Ben Ronke. Mitch Hannan’s late withdrawal paved the way for the welcome return of Michael Sullivan for his first senior game of 2015.

So on paper, it looked like St Bernard’s should take the points without too much trouble. But Beaumaris is a big club with good depth and clearly some of the young boys that replaced the absent senior players were out to show they could match it in the big league.  During the first quarter, a physical, hard running Beaumaris seemed to unsettle St Bernard’s somewhat, and despite some 20 inside-50’s, St Bernard’s was unable to generate effective delivery to our forward targets and went in at quarter time only four points to the good. (Read More)

Fitzroy’s website following their 48-point loss to Ajax

At its’ best, Fitzroy has been near unstoppable this year.

But at its worst, the ­ Victorian Amateur Football Association Premier B outfit has played like a side a long way from finals contention.

The Roys sat fifth with a 4-6 record after 10 rounds, having lost five of their opening six games. (Read More)

Old Haileyburians’ website following their 34-point win against PEGS

We were fortunate to beat PEGS earlier in the season out at their ground and PEGS felt they owed us one. They certainly started with plenty of energy and were applying pressure all over the ground. The wind was non-existent so it was a matter of putting the score on the board at either end. The quarter was pretty even with nine scoring shots to six but fortunately we were the more accurate. So we started the second quarter ahead by two due to some accurate kicking. The second quarter was just as frantic and although we played pretty well Pegs were just as effective. They were applying pressure and trying to take the game up to us at every opportunity. Both teams kicked four goals in the second quarter and so the game was very even at half time.   Not quite what we had planned. Good kicking was what was keeping us in it. (Read More)

St Mary’s Salesian’s website following their 43-point win against Yarra Valley

St. Marys Salesian was drawn to play Yarra Valley (for the second time this season) in round 11 – this time at Ferndale Park, Glen Iris. The Bushrangers, coached by Brett Rowe were yet to win a game, and appeared to be in re-building mode.

On an overcast and very cold morning, early arrivals were disappointed to hear that Old Ivanhoe had forfeited their match to the SMS Threes.

Ivanhoe’s website following their 85-point win against Northern Blues

On Saturday the Seniors had an opportunity to avenge their only loss this year against the Northern Blues in Round 4, and they took it! After a slowish start, the boys showed why they are sitting on top of the ladder after 11 rounds, thumping the fifth placed Blues by 85 points. It was a terrific effort in front of the 1995 Grand Final reunion, with everyone playing their role. (Read More)

Chadstone’s website following their 130-point loss to Box Hill North

After a solid four quarter performance the week before, Chadstone started their round 11 clash with Box Hill North full of confidence, and it showed with the Synners making the most of their opportunities to be just behind the Demons heading into the first break. Box Hill North began to build a solid lead in the second quarter, dominating clearances and consistently hitting targets up forward. The second half saw a more attacking and harder Chadstone outfit, creating opportunities and moving the ball through cleaner and more precise passages of play. (Read More)