Round 7 - Saturday 24 May 2008 at the Junction Oval.

 SENIORS, by Lurch.

Goals: Sam Parsons (3), Mark Hawkins (3), Heath Thompson (2), Ned Morrison (1), Tom Seccull (1), Tim McLardy (1), Tom Bennison (1), Tim Davis (1).

Best: Stuart Boyd [incorrectly named L. Boyd on the VAFA site], Mark Hawkins, Ned Morrison, Tim Davis, Sam Parsons, Pete Kennon.

At the end of this game against Old Carey, on the famous Junction Oval, venue of the 1898 VFL (now AFL) Grand Final, an OM trainer, James, was in tears. What kind of tears were they? Were they tears of sadness? Tears of joy? His Carey slicker, worn by him in his two years in the Carey 1st XVIII, and in the rain against St. Bernard’s the week before, stayed home in the closet on this dry, sunny day. Were his tears for his former class mates and team mates, who trudged defeated from the Junction? Or were they tears of joy for the boys in Dark Blue whom he patches up and sends out into battle, and who, on this day, broke a five game losing streak? Ask him.

This was a game the OMs were capable of winning, and had to win, being on the bottom of the ladder. With Coach Russell Morris interstate, much-loved OMFC identity and assistant Senior Coach Mick Lovejoy aka The Reverend Lovejoy took the reins. Born not with a silver spoon in his mouth, but instead with a silver trowel in hand, he understands the game and how to get the best out of his charges.

Heath “Thommo” Thompson, who finds himself putting out fires at one end of the ground or the other, found himself up forward this time, and scored the OMs’ first goal. Reliable forward Sam Parsons slotted the OMs’ second goal, Morrison had a characteristic run in from the middle to score truly, and Seccull kicked a beautiful goal from close to the boundary line. It was a free-flowing goal-for-goal ding-dong between the two sides, but eventually the OMs kicked away to a handy first quarter lead with thanks to Thommo’s second goal, and a late goal to Hawkins, whose big kick was marked by a Carey player taking a fine speccy between the goals. However, the ball was correctly adjudged to have passed over the critical line before it was marked, and six points went the way of the defenders of the Dark Blue faith.

The first quarter was just what the OMs needed. Everyone was doing their bit, with Carey boys being brought to the ground by OMs in twos and threes. The example of Collingwood in the appalling game played the night before was being followed with the OMs’ tackle count being 13 for the first quarter. Stu Boyd returned to play this game in a helmet, as a result of collecting a concussion in his last game to add to his large collection of concussions. Perhaps it made him feel unbreakable, as he rejoiced at being back with a game full of hard running and tough pack work. He had a friend in Pete Kennon, who unobtrusively worked hard around the packs.

The second quarter loomed as a challenge for the OMs, who last kicked a second quarter goal in Round 3. Carey was first to score, although the OMs were the first to attack. Tim McLardy, glamour boy of the MGS 1st XVIII in 2007, was new to the Seniors. He did not know about the OMs’ second quarter goal-scoring hoodoo, and smashed it with his first goal for the Seniors, having crumbed a long bomb from Cudlipp and snapping truly. The coaching panel and its administration were in awe of his talents, with one commenting, “Don’t think the 19s [the Under 19s] will be seeing much more of him this year”. Thommo, now in the ruck, tapped beautifully to Captain Turner who sent it into the forward line, where Parsons eventually got his hands on it to score his second goal. Hawkins was in fine form, needing to impress his parents, an uncle, a brace of MGS and future MGS cousins and his sister, most of whom had come down from NSW. His excellent marking form continued, and it was after one of these he was awarded a free kick and scored his second goal. The second quarter hoodoo was nicely broken, although Carey was not, and had closed the margin.

Behind closed doors at half time, The Rev. Lovejoy said a few prayers and gave the boys spiritual inspiration for the half ahead. Belying his small stature, Bennison kicked a long goal from a set shot. Nick “Tall Boy” Lawler blocked a Carey kick out, and a good sequence of play found Tim Davis, who scored truly. Inaccurate kicking cost the OMs their half time margin, which was further reduced by the more accurate Carey. It set the scene for a tense final quarter.

The game had changed from the free-flowing first eighth of the game to a more intense struggle, with the ball being strongly contested in packs. Carey scored the first goal from one of an avalanche of free kicks before one went Hawk’s way for a push in the back, and he capitalised with his third goal, as he enjoyed a well-earned rest at full forward. The exciting young Tim Davis took an incredible mark at full gallop down the members’ wing and found Seccull, whose kick was well marked by Parsons. Parsons scored his third and final goal of the game. The game was put out of reach of Carey, and the OMs registered their first win since the famous last-gasp one point victory against St. Kevin’s.

The OMs’ game strategies have always been well-planned, but not always well-implemented. Against Carey, the Dark Blues did everything required of them, with all contributing, including occasionally brilliant efforts by Wilmoth, and genuine hard and disciplined efforts by Gus “Daddy” Waddell. A target of 120 “one-percenters” was set to help win the game. The final tally was 147.

The same effort will be required against Old Caulfield at the Junction on Saturday to climb the ladder and out of the danger zone. Get there early and support the undefeated top-of-the-ladder Under 19s as they take on undefeated Ormond. Comprising many members of the Class of 2007, the Under 19s are a tight-knit bunch which played social matches against one another over summer, and their enthusiasm is now being measured in wins. They, and all teams comprising the Dark Blue Empire, deserve your support.

Tags: Heath Thompson, Mark Hawkins, Ned Morrison, Pete Kennon, Sam Parsons, Stuart Boyd, Tim Davis, Tim McLardy, Tom Bennison, Tom Seccull