3rds: OMFC 13.11.89 d St Bedes Mentone 12.10.82
Another away game for the thirds saw them venture out to Southern Reserve, Mentone, to play against an unknown St Bedes Mentone side. The game turned out to be an absolute cracker with fierce battles through the middle of the ground, the backs holding down their men as best they could and the forwards presenting vigorously.
St Bedes jumped early like a ready to go race horse and before the OM’s knew it the opposition had two majors on the board. The top of the ladder juggernaut then straggled the momentum and found their feet kicking a vital goal against a slit breeze to finish the term marginally behind.
The break saw a spray from the coach who has been dubbed around the league as ‘Erwin the Ruthless’. Staying in a huddle the whole break the OM’s then came out with some more conviction in their play. However, clearances were going Mentone’s way with their larger bodied, more experienced players running free and breaking tackles at will. At the long break the visitors were up by a goal and a bit but this game was far from over.
The second half was one of the finest halves of football you’ll see at Clubbies level. A sea-soaring affair became a goal fest with both sides breaking the lines to find targets up forwards. Again Stinger seemed to be the sole weapon up forward taking some terrific marks against two and three opponents. Gooley and Kennon used their running power effectively to across the half-back line to repel any opposition attacks, and were easily in the OM’s best.
In the last term Guest was thrown up forward one out and caused all sorts of problems for the Mentone boys. Patty Nestle was good all day finishing off the game well as did Ned Guy who was pivotal in the final term. The Mentone big man seemed to be the only one fighting for the cause, kicking three inspirational final quarter goals to nearly single handily win the game for the Home side. A gutsy effort by the Mentone side, who didn’t have a coach and were a shambles before the game, to go down by an honourable 7 points.
A close call for the young Old Melburnians as this match has shown the weaknesses in their game. They are a smaller bodied unite that rellies on their exception running power and team structure to hold them in front of all other opponents. From the weekend it was obvious that they didn’t stick enough tackles and were hesitant to go in and get the ball themselves. The older players must set the example for the junior members of the side and make sure that they protect their teammates.
With plenty of players to come back from the 2nds and injuries it should be a bright second half of the season for the OM’s that has already shown so much promise.
‘The Statistician’
