:: Seniors Report - By Lurch.

This game was always going to be a tough contest, with the OMs 6th on the ladder, and the in-form Blacks (despite a loss the previous week) in 4th position. The OMs went into the game with a bevy of talent and goal-kicking power missing from their ranks. Missing notables include Ned Morrison, Jono Miller, Marty Kennon, Jake Berry, Ed Wilson, Mark Hawkins, and Will Sangster is yet to make a start in 2007. Notwithstanding the losses and the loss of the game, the boys in Dark Blue who presented for 1st XVIII duties on Saturday did their best for the OMs, with pride in the jumper, and with support for one another.

The “Scholars” put two goals on the board before the Dark Blues managed their first, through the agency of the ever-popular cult hero “Funky” Farquharson, whose unique surname Hamish Turner covets. The tide then turned for the quarter, with Josh Russo and Ed Mitchell following his lead, to give the Old Melburnians a three point lead at quarter time.

Simon “Theo” Theodore kicked off the second quarter with an early goal. Pete Kennon unleashed a great tackle in the forward line, and was rewarded with a shot on goal, from which he scored truly. The Scholars were slightly more civilised than our opponents of the previous week, but begged the question: “What are they teaching at The Shop?” with the answer not being “Pick on someone your own size”. A Scholar twice the size of Tom “Benno” Bennison decided Benno should be introduced to the “coat hanger”, which he must have learned in a lecture earlier that week. Unfortunately for the Scholar, he did not know that it is not possible to hurt the tough little red nut from MGS, and that anything that does not kill him makes him stronger. Benno always fights proudly in the Dark Blue jumper, and the Scholar’s team mates felt Benno’s wrath, as he tackled them ferociously, throwing bigger blokes to the ground, inspiring his team mates, and being the Old Melburnians’ best player.

Tough tackling was a feature of the OMs’ game, with Josh Russo also laying a beauty in the course of his praiseworthy performance. Will “Shep” Panton scored a goal in the second quarter to help the OMs to a 9 point lead at half time. An interesting sight was that of an Old Scotch Collegian whose face had been a familiar one at the OMs in recent years. He went missing at the start of the year, but turned up to play in a Uni Blacks’ jumper. It was clear his heart remains with the OMs, as he did little to hurt them, and his first kick was a beautiful pass to former team mate James Mitchell.

After halftime, the Scholars came out hard. The OMs were under siege, but Ben McKie and Sam Playfair took the responsibility on their young shoulders of defending the OMs’ goals, with support from Hamish Turner, who was again in the thick of all the action. Playfair has made an art of attacking from the half back line, whilst Turner continues to show great leadership by his example on the ground. Ben McKie has been thrust into the fires of hell in recent weeks, with no shortage of opportunities to hone his defensive skills, as the backline has been so frequently and ferociously attacked.

The Scholars gradually fought their way into the lead in the third quarter, but the lead changed several times, with each side scoring points instead of decisive goals on these occasions. However, with 2 goals scored against them in the quarter, as well as six points that could have been more damaging, the OMs’ goalless quarter saw them down by 7 points at three quarter time.

Whilst the game was still there to be won, the tide had turned in the third quarter. The OMs had weathered the storm extremely well, but it had taken its toll. Although James Ray’s sure hands were a blessing in marking around the ground, and Chris Righetti, Josh Russo, Ty Menzies and Pete Kennon were doing what they could to control the middle ground, it was not enough to stop a flurry of late goals in “junk” time that made the Scholars’ victory look significantly better than it actually was.

The depleted Old Melburnians played with spirit and pride, and played above themselves. They led for over half the game, largely weathered the storm of the third quarter, but in the end could not hold out the generally taller, stronger and more athletic Uni Blacks, who are quite a capable side. The OMs generally maintained their composure until the end, when kicks began going directly to the opposition. The old and fatal failing of multiple handballs to blokes under pressure in the backline crept back in, resulting in turnovers and opposition goals, instead of putting the ball on the boot to put it at least two kicks away from goal.

This game showed that with the return of a few significant players, the Old Melburnians are finals contenders, as long as the current spirit and enthusiasm is maintained. With the possible exception of St. Bedes, all teams played to date are capable of being defeated by an OMs team closer to full strength.

Tags: Ben McKie, Hamish Turner, James Ray, Josh Russo, Sam Playfair, Tom Bennison, Uni Blacks