:: Reserves Report - By ‘The Red Leg’.

Several OMs battled with the club’s departure from Melway map 59 for the first time this season and our struggles did not end once we got to St Bedes-Mentone’s ground.

There, we were greeted by a howling gale and an oval which, as promised by Reverend Lovejoy, was every bit of the 19 metres narrower on each side than the Junction.

To put it into perspective, one could kick from one wing to another with very little trouble, whereas it normally takes two kicks at the Junction to do this.

Only two points separated the two sides at quarter time, but the bad news for us was we had the use of a six-goal wind in the first term.

A spirited second quarter saw us trail by 22 points at half-time, hardly an unassailable margin, but the premiership quarter was anything but for us and we found ourselves 35 points down at three-quarter time.

While we were held scoreless in the last quarter, our young side did well to keep St Bedes to just four goals to prevent a complete blowout.

Playing his first game back from an old age-shoulder injury, Gussy Waddell picked up the visitors’ drink card for being best on ground.

"It took me more than an hour to get from Northcote. Lucky I had the car today," said Gus after the game.

Nick Peters was superb all day in the midfield in his quest to regain a spot in the 1s, while Dean Osmond was again brave, this time playing in the ruck.

"It’s a strange feeling being jumped into by bigger men. I don’t know why I do it sometimes," he said. "I think I might buy some shin guards next week. The last thing I want is to be injured for the bus trip."

Thanks to Jozza for goal umpiring and Willo, Cheese and Matty for running out the water.

OLD MELBURNIANS - 4.2.26  

Goal Kickers: N. Peters 2, E. Selby, T. Bachet

Best Players: A. Waddell, N. Peters, D. Osmond, J. Anderson, O. Webb, S. Fletcher

Tags: A. Waddell, D. Osmond, J. Anderson, N. Peters, O. Webb, S. Fletcher, St Bedes/Mentone