Round 7 - Saturday 30 May 2009 at Righetti Oval, Kooyong.
St. KEVIN’S OLD BOYS v OLD MELBURNIANS
SENIORS, by Lurch.
1ST Quarter: OMs 3.5.23 SK 2.1.13
2nd Quarter: OMs 5.8.38 SK 8.2.50
3rd Quarter: OMs 6.9.45 SK 13.11.89
Full time: OMs 14.16.100 SK 18.12.120
Goals: Ned Morrison (3), Tom Seccull (3), Tim Cudlipp (2), Michael Davis (1), James Beaumont (1), Simon Beaumont (1),Tom Paule (1), Andrew Prowse (1), Jono Miller (1).
Best: Charlie Gardiner, Ned Morrison, Josh Freezer, Will Harvey, Sam Playfair, James Beaumont.
With the OMs on the top of the ladder and SKOBs in second position, this was a much-anticipated clash. Righetti Oval was mostly covered in grass, in stark contrast to the Hampton ground of the previous week, but it was still not a great surface. It was a windy day, with the western end favouring SKOBs in the first quarter. They scored the first goal, after which both sides were long into attack before Cudlipp goaled for the OMs. SKOBS scored their second goal. A great snap from the boundary found the safe hands of Morrison, who scored truly. He followed his good work with a brilliant pass to Simon Beaumont, but his set shot was offline. Soon after the footy was kicked back into play, Miller was dragged off his attempt at marking, and goaled from 35-40m out in tricky conditions. Late in the quarter Prowse copped a vicious elbow to the head which was seen by all but those who mattered. His actions had kicked off a final forward thrust which almost resulted in a goal, but for play becoming bogged down in front of goal.
Against the wind the OMs finished the quarter in the lead, but with twice the scoring shots the margin should have been greater. With the wind in the second quarter, the OMs had a chance to increase that margin. The quarter started with promise. The footy spilled free from a contest, Morrison ran onto it, kicked from 40-45m, and let the wind do the rest. Soon afterwards he goaled again, and the margin was looking good on a day when goals seemed unlikely to come easily. Perhaps incorrectly thinking the job was done, the OMs then allowed SKOBs to kick the next six goals, first equalling and then passing the OMs’ score. The difference was SKOBs’ mosquito fleet, which attacked the ball with vigour. Less skilful than the OMs, they played in the way the OMs have done in recent years against superior teams, going in much harder for the ball, and tackling strongly. Late in the quarter Seccull had a shot for goal, but stabbed at it and missed. The siren sounded soon afterwards, with the OMs trailing and due to face the wind-assisted SKOBs in the third quarter.
SKOBs started the third quarter as they had ended the second, going in hard and winning the ball, with the OMs remaining inexplicably flat. SKOBs scored four consecutive goals in the windy conditions before James Beaumont scored a goal late in the quarter. It was the OMs’ first score of the quarter. SKOBs responded immediately with a goal, and a late attack by the OMs only added a further point to their score. The OMs were fumbling the loose ball, and rarely had a chance to score, while SKOBs controlled the play with their greater intent, and increasing confidence as the margin blew out to 44 points by the end of the quarter. It was cold and windy, and, with a quarter remaining, there seemed little to look forward to.
However, at three-quarter time, the Rev. Lovejoy reminded the OMs they had a history of big final quarter efforts, and the game could still be won. Despite the margin, it was a realistic assessment, and it buoyed all within earshot.
Although SKOBs attacked from the centre bounce, Captain Turner repelled them, and the OMs showed they had awakened from their two quarter slumber. Morrison centred, Seccull went for the mark, received a free kick, and goaled. From the centre bounce SKOBs attacked, but Gardiner took possession, kicking to Greene, who found Michael Davis, and passed it to Simon Beaumont, who finished the job. It was a slick chain of possession, and more like the OMs we have come to expect in 2009. Cudlipp then marked on the wing, and his goal took the OMs’ score to 64, to SKOBs’ 90. Another chance went begging, and SKOBs goaled from a free kick. From the centre bounce the OMs responded with a goal by Michael Davis. SKOBs countered with a goal, followed by another, to show they were not about to sit back and let the OMs take away their hard-earned lead. Paule was not prepared to let the OMs’ attack flounder, and snapped truly out of a pack in front of goal.
Things then went against the OMs. SKOBs dribbled through a goal. Morrison then steamed into goal, let rip, and goaled, to the cheers of the supporters behind the goals. However, it was indicated as a behind, and, despite feverish consultation between the umpires, the decision remained. Seccull then marked strongly, and was as delighted as the supporters behind the goals when his goal raised two white flags. Seeing the joy he had brought the multitudes, Seccull decided to goal again. Prowse then found his way up the ground to take a great mark, following it up with a goal. The score was 99 to SKOBs’ 120. Time, however, was running out, and the OMs only added a further point before the siren sounded, leaving them with a 20 point loss, and a drop from the top of the ladder to third position.
It was a very disappointing loss with mixed messages. The OMs yet again went “missing” in the second quarter, but even more so in the third quarter, allowing SKOBs to score freely and look better than they are. If there was an upside, it was that the OMs almost beat SKOBs by effectively only playing two quarters. Greater accuracy (8.7) in the final quarter would have delivered that victory. The teams both had 30 scoring shots. A four quarter effort should reverse the result when the teams next meet.
Morrison’s efforts have been thoroughly documented. Gardiner was a very important linking player through the spine of the ground, and stepped up in the final quarter. He was notably very cool under pressure. Freezer also continued to impress, particularly as a skilful player whose composure under pressure belies his youth. Harvey was again at his fiery and dedicated best through the middle. Playfair came up the ground, with good work on the wing, and a booming shot for goal in the final quarter was only just off target. James Beaumont did good work in supplying the forward line, and contributing a goal when it was needed most. It gave the OMs the glimmer of hope at the end of the third quarter that sparked the great fight back in the final quarter.
This Saturday the OMs meet Old Carey on the Junction Oval. Old Carey has struggled so far this season, with only two wins thus far, but they beat the OMs in their last meeting late last season. This will be an opportunity for the OMs to show they are capable of playing four good quarters, and to set the tone for the remainder of the season. Get down to the Junction to see the OMs play their best footy.
Before the game against Old Carey is the Cordner Eggleston, MGS’s annual clash with Scotch, starting at 2:00pm on Friday 12 June 2009 at Scotch College. It is the first Cordner Eggleston since Don Cordner’s death on 13 May 2009, and the first clash with Scotch since beating them on the MCG in the last round of the 2008 season to win the APS premiership. With a number of MGS’s premiership players remaining in the team, and Scotch out for revenge, it promises to be a great clash. Come along to support the boys in Navy Blue, many of whom will one day become OMFC players.
