:: Seniors Report - By Lurch.
The Old Melburnians have been in good form in recent weeks, and were in a good frame of mind to take on top of the ladder Old Essendon Grammarians. The last encounter, in Round 3 a the Junction Oval, saw a depleted OMs lose to an unconvincing OEG by only 23 points. However, things started to unravel for the OMs during the week, with the loss of three of last week’s best six players, and captain Barclay Dixon.

A freak training accident on Tuesday removed tough-tackling Will Kiel from the OEG game, and possibly the remainder of the season. Josh Russo’s hamstrings prevented him from playing. Barclay Dixon has battled ostitis pubis all season, and it got the better of him. Flu claimed our reliable defender, Andrew Prowse. Matt Wright had recovered from a long term injury and was named in the side, but blew both hamstrings and did not take his place in the named side.

Despite the trials and tribulations of the week, the Dark Blues took to the field with pride and passion, and shocked the ladder leaders with their attack on the ball, finishing the first quarter on equal points. Nick ‘Tall Boy’ Lawler provided a handy target up forward. Coach Fly had good reason to be pleased with the first quarter efforts.

The second quarter was played much like the first quarter, with one exception: the OMs could not buy a goal. Most shots at goal were taken as set shots by usually-reliable goal scorers, but none succeeded. A strong wind was blowing, and whilst it blew across the oval, the southern end to which the OMs kicked in the first and third quarters appeared to be the scoring end. The second quarter was frustrating for the lack of scores despite continuing to make many forward forays and having a lot of the ball.

Third quarters have not been the OMs forte in 2007, but this was one third quarter that proved an exception. Ed Wilson and Ned Morrison enjoyed themselves on the field and on the scoreboard.

‘Funky’ Farquharson made a full return to his 2006 form with dashing runs across the field, and fearless attacks on the ball that gave Alex Farquharson (OM 1956) more reason than usual to say, "That’s my boy" to the other gentleman supporters, some of whom hail from the steam age. Mark Hawkins also showed more of his 2006 form than has previously been seen this year, holding marks that were almost always contested. In his third game for the OMFC Seniors, Tom Bachet was for the second time named amongst the best players, with strong second and third efforts showing he is an enthusiastic team player worthy of his place. Gus Waddell played like he was a young man again, and when OM honour was at stake and a stand had to be taken he was unrecognisable as the quiet family man we know off the field.

As good as the third quarter was - outscoring the ladder leaders - accuracy was again an issue. Despite an equal number of scoring shots, the OMs remained 20 points adrift. Notwithstanding the deficit, it was a margin that could be made up for a dream win. The game had been intense throughout, and the intensity was little reduced in the last quarter. A pleasing feature of the game despite its intensity was that it remained reasonably free-flowing.

The OMs struggled up forward in the last quarter, whilst OEG managed to break away and finish with a margin that flattered them and belied their first three quarters of football.

Despite the loss, it was a very good game by the OMs, who played as a team, and with an intensity that rattled OEG. OEG were bigger and stronger, and broke free more often, but for most of the game were unconvincing against the smaller OMs. The OMs inaccuracy was perhaps the only downside of their game, failing which they would have been on an equal footing or in front for much of the game, and psychologically and statistically better placed for a tilt at winning during the final quarter.

The loss returned the OMs to 8th position on the ladder. Next week they face Beaumaris at Banksia Reserve in a game that must be won. Be there to see them give their all to achieve just that.

Tags: Ed Farquharson, Ed Wilson, Gus Waddell, Mark Hawkins, Ned Morrison, Old Essendon, Tom Bachet