Round 8 - Saturday 13 June 2009 at the Junction Oval.
OLD MELBURNIANS v OLD CAREY
SENIORS, by Lurch.
1ST Quarter: OMs 2.3.15 OC 1.3.9
2nd Quarter: OMs 4.6.30 OC 2.5.17
3rd Quarter: OMs 7.10.52 OC 4.7.31
Full time: OMs 9.13.67 OC 5.7.37
Goals: Simon Beaumont (2), Michael Davis (2), James Beaumont (1), Angus Lapin (1), Tom Paule (1), Tom Seccull (1), Steve Greene (1).
Best: Josh Freezer, Hamish Turner, Andrew Prowse, Angus Lapin, Lewis Haralambous, Charlie Wilmoth.
The OMs had the good fortune to return to the Junction Oval following their loss to St.Kevin’s, and a weekend off. They came up against Old Carey, which has historically provided the OMs with some stiff competition. The day was cold and windy, but mercifully dry. The start of the game saw the smallest turnout of spectators in living history, with those few hardy souls keen to see how the Dark Blues would respond in the wake of their loss.
Although the OMs started in attack, the quarter – and most of the game – was characterised by scrappy, congested football, due largely to Carey’s flooding and strong defensive efforts. They could not, however, stop Seccull taking two strong marks, and goaling after the second from 50m. Carey then scored its first goal and several points to take the lead. Gardiner marked strongly in defence, handballed to Morrison, who kicked inboard to Michael Davis, and he kicked to Simon Beaumont. Beaumont was given a free, and scored truly to return the lead to the OMs, 14-9. Seccull marked on the 50m line as the siren sounded, but he was unfortunately deemed to have taken the mark too late.
Although the OMs had the wind in the first quarter, Carey’s defensive tactics made the game a mire, with few opportunities to string together a few possessions. The boundary was often hugged on both sides of the ground in an attempt to find some space, and with targets being missed under pressure, and the ball frequently being passed backwards to maintain possession, it was not pretty footy. Someone commented the quarter-time scores were like soccer scores, which was perhaps why the spectacle was as unsatisfying as that usually expected of that lesser code.
The second quarter began as scrappily as the first, with both sides only managing points. Simon Beaumont then conjured a goal, followed two minutes later by one from his brother James. Carey responded with its sole goal of the quarter soon afterwards, and that was the end of goal-scoring for the quarter. Paule had two chances on the run, but unfortunately sprayed them both. The quarter ended with a 13 point lead which was significant in the context of the game.
The OMs opened the third quarter in attack for a lengthy period before Michael Davis ran side-on into the goal square after the loose ball, and toe-poked through a goal. Carey marked on its goal line and goaled. Ned earned a free from a tackle, handballed to Paule, and he scored truly. Minutes later, Michael Davis snapped a beautiful goal. Each goal was a diamond in the rough, given the way the game was being played. Late in the quarter Morrison’s number was taken by the umpire, and Morrison subsequently elected to take a two week mid-season break.
The final quarter saw play finally free up to some degree, although it remained reasonably intense. The tackling by both sides was a feature of the game. Carey scored the first goal. Michael Davis took a shot on goal which fell short, but it fell into the very safe hands of the spring-heeled Lapin, whose return to the Seniors from injury was a welcome sight. He scored truly. Another welcome return was that of Collister, who took a great defensive mark to stop Carey’s run. It was Greene, with style, from the boundary, who scored the last goal of the game.
It was not the powerful and slick display that might have been craved after the last round loss, but it was a win, and it was hard-earned. It was actually a very valuable experience, as Carey forced the OMs to play a true four-quarter effort. Carey threatened all day, and two quick goals could have made a crucial difference when the game was in the balance. In the beginning, Carey was hurt most by its inaccuracy, but after halftime the OMs dried up Carey’s opportunities, allowing it only five shots at goal. The OMs’ defenders played a key role in winning this game.
Freezer and Prowse stood tall in defence, with Prowse beginning to return to his 2008 form. Captain Turner was particularly crucial in defence when Carey’s attack was at its strongest in the first quarter. Gardiner’s coolness under pressure and safe hands in defence earned him a presentation as the OMs’ best player. He was important in starting attacks out of defence. Lapin did some very nice work up forward. Ruckman Haralambous often gave the OMs first use out of the middle, and took some handy marks around the ground. 2008 Best and Fairest, Charlie Wilmoth, worked hard through the middle. Tim Davis threw his lightweight frame into contests all day.
This Saturday the OMs return to the Junction Oval to take on the Uni Blacks, a team which has been reasonably competitive this season, and which cannot be taken lightly. Get down to the Junction to cheer on the boys in Dark Blue.
Last Friday Lurch and a few other OMs watched MGS take on Scotch at Scotch in the annual Cordner Eggleston Cup. See the report of this game in the MGS Match Report section of the OMFC website.
