:: Seniors Report - By Lurch.
Josh Russo has one gold ball. This is not a shower room revelation, but something to make supporters of the Dark Blue rejoice. A gold-lettered Sherrin, signed by the Dark Blue Twenty (-Two), was on offer to the best OM on the field – but only if the Old Melburnians won. That Josh Russo has a gold ball means that he was the best of the Dark Blues – and that the OMs won.

Only three weeks ago, the OMs faced the Fields in freezing conditions in Caulfield, with the Fields winning their first game for the season by 52 points. In an unusual fixture determined by the drought, we met them again on Saturday, on what is undoubtedly the league’s best ground. With the exception of a burst of rain in the second quarter, it was a dry day, albeit muddy and slow in the middle.

Rod Matthews – the man of many names – Pies, Rocket, The R____ - had a good day at the office. He looks more than ever like he is enjoying life, and perhaps this is due to the OMs’ Pies Incentive Plan. Every time the OMs give him a pie, he kicks a sausage roll. He and Russo kicked the OMs’ first two goals. Pies’ second goal was a boomer that defied predictions, and just had the distance to carry through. Russo cleverly passed to Shep, who goaled on the run, and Hawkins goaled from a set shot. Russo had the ball as the siren went at the end of the first quarter, and his kick from outside 50m almost cleared the defenders on the goal line. Playfair had a big first quarter, as he ran free up forward. It was a good first quarter – but three more were required.

The Old Melburnians wanted the first goal of the second quarter, but that honour went to the Fields. A string of possessions from half back ended when Marty “Moose” (or “Mouse”) Kennon delivered the ball to Pies, who slotted a goal from a set shot. Shortly afterwards, Moose shanked a shot on goal, but the Field kicking it out, perhaps seeing his team’s familiar Dark Blue jumper, kicked it directly to Pies, who converted it into a six point punishment of the Fields. The Field who had kicked it in perhaps forget his team mates were the ones wearing uninspiring yellow “clash” jumpers. Captain Barclay Dixon, in the ruck, sent a massive hit-out in the direction of “Shep” Panton, who took the ball into the forward line. Several possessions later it was with Ed “Willo” Wilson, who celebrated his long-awaited return from injury with a goal on the run. The Fields goaled after a lengthy period of play, but Shep did not let them celebrate, as he kicked out of a pack just inside 50m, and celebrated as he watched the ball bounce straight through an empty goal square.

The third quarter began perfectly, with a goal scored within seconds of the first centre bounce. The Fields were noticeably trying much harder in the third quarter, and after a lengthy period of play scored their only goal of the quarter. They were running in numbers, attacking hard, and had more of the play, but they were up against a battle-hardened miserly OMs’ backline that was not about to roll over. Meanwhile, Willo’s clever hands gave Shep the opportunity to run in and score his third goal at the Hot Dog end of the ground. Shep was noticeably enjoying his every goal. Having eschewed the Cardinal Gold and Blue of his brothers, he has - since 1998 - loyally worn the Dark Blue into battle, with frustratingly few successes. His loyalty was repaid with a win on Saturday, and it can only be hoped that being a winning player in Dark Blue ceases to be a novelty.

Near the end of the third quarter, Pies ran in at the goals from the east wing, scoring, and continuing on through to the tuckshop to collect his payment. A further goal to the OMs had them 45 points up at three quarter time, having weathered the Fields’ storm, and increasing their lead. Both sides only scored a goal each in the last quarter, which was a lacklustre affair. The Field continued to attack, and kept the Defenders of the Dark Blue busy, with the result that the teams nullified each other’s efforts. One of the few highlights was Jake Berry’s efforts. His form was so hot that two fire trucks were seen racing towards the ground mid-way through the final quarter. The only interest in the OMs’ forward half of the ground was Ty Menzies’ tussle with the Fields’ No. 26, who had been shut down by tough Grammar red nut Will Kiel (in the absence of tough Grammar red nut Bennison, on family duties). The two niggled all quarter – no doubt because by then it was quite cold, and the ball was down the other end. At the Club XVIII’s excellent function at The George in South Melbourne that night, Menzies asked Lurch to write that he had won the battle, but, as Menzies did not shout Lurch a beer, this claim will not be made.

The 44 point win, after an 8 game drought, was long-overdue. The Games Song was sung with gusto. As a result of the win, the OMs have moved into 8th position on the ladder, with Caulfield dropping to 9th – a game adrift, and Melbourne High on the bottom in 10th position. Next week we play 4th-placed St. Kevins (beaten by us at the start of the season) at Righetti Oval. Be there.

View short video of the club song

Tags: Barclay Dixon, Caulfield Grammarians, Jake Berry, Josh Russo, Rod Matthews, Sam Playfair, Will Kiel