Round 16 - Saturday 15 August 2009 at McKinnon Reserve.
OLD HAILEYBURY v OLD MELBURNIANS
SENIORS.
1ST Quarter: OMs 4.1.25 OH 3.4.22
2nd Quarter: OMs 11.7.73 OH 4.7.31
3rd Quarter: OMs 16.8.104 OH 10.10.70
Full time: OMs 23.10.148 OH 12.11.83
Goals: Tom Seccull (5), James Beaumont (3), Ed Wilson (3), Simon Beaumont (3), Tom Paule (2), Tim Cudlipp (2), Jeremy Beaumont (1), Marty Kennon (1), Ned Morrison (1), Michael Davis (1), Barclay Dixon (1).
Best: Tom Seccull, Tom Paule, Steven Greene, Charlie Wilmoth, Mark Hawkins, Tim Davis
Report by Lurch.
In 2007 the OMs avoided relegation to C Grade by winning the last game of the season against Ajax. In 2008 the OMs avoided relegation to C Grade by winning the second last game against Caulfield Grammarians. In 2009 the OMs secured a place in the finals in the third last game of the season against Old Haileybury. Things are looking up.
With Old Haileybury beating finals contender St. Kevin’s by 71 points the previous week, and the OMs losing in a lacklustre effort against Old Trinity, this game at McKinnon Reserve looked daunting. Consequently, many tipsters predicted a win for the Bloods. They underestimated the power of the Dark Blue at its best.
Cudlipp and Simon Beaumont scored goals to give the OMs a 12-3 start, kicking into a strong wind. A Blood managed to score OH’s first goal as he fell to the ground, and a huge roost picked up by the wind almost gave them another goal, but for it being touched on the line by an Old Haileyburian! The Bloods goaled a minute later. The game was quite intense and congested. With the wind roaring in their direction, the Bloods goaled from the centre bounce. Gardiner then had a great pick-up and showed his evasive skills on the half-back line to start a chain of possession which sent the ball quickly forward, allowing Morrison to goal on the run. The deficit had been closed to take the scores to 18-22. Seccull then marked and goaled to give the OMs the lead at quarter time.
Outscoring the Bloods against the wind was a great start which had to be continued. After the centre bounce, Seccull was pushed in the back and was given a free kick. From about 55m his accurate kick on goal sailed through halfway up the goal posts. Soon after the centre bounce Kennon was tripped, and his free kick from directly in front was another goal. Paule and Morrison worked cleverly together to set up an opportunity for a goal, but with the OMs outnumbered 3-1 in the goal square their good work could not be finished off. Seccull took a good pack mark and his ugly-looking kick from outside 50m was his third goal, taking the scores to 38-23. He took a great mark in the centre, and was in fine form. Michael Davis’ strong tackle 20m out, directly in front of goal, gave him his only goal of the game. Seccull then took an awesome mark in a display that was becoming reminiscent of his first game against Old Trinity. He converted truly. The OMs were making the best of having the wind, with Marangon finding Simon Beaumont, and Simon finding the goals. It was 59-31, and was becoming a handy margin in preparation for an expected Old Haileyburian onslaught in the third quarter. Tim Davis was having a great game, and burst through traffic to fire an accurate shot at goal, but his good work was not rewarded, as the wind carried the footy 10m to the right. From 45-50m out, Paule snapped around his body and goaled. The siren went with the OMs in attack. The Bloods scored 1.3 for the quarter, and their few other forward thrusts were repelled by the OMs. The second quarter has often been the OMs’ most underwhelming quarter, but this quarter was anything but underwhelming. Being 42 points up at halftime put the Dark Blues in a commanding position.
Old Haileybury had the wind again in the third quarter. It was perhaps the Bloods’ last chance to get into a winning position. The OMs, however, had shown their ability to score against the wind. A great run of possessions from the half-back flank into the forward line saw Paule finish off with a goal. The Bloods got loose and dobbed a long goal, but Simon Beaumont counterattacked with a goal. Another attack on goal by the Bloods was foiled by Andrew Prowse touching it on the line. It was 85-39. Gardiner took a great mark in defence to foil another attack. The Bloods’ next attack seemed certain to be defended, but it unexpectedly bounced in the Bloods’ favour and they ran into goal. Ed Wilson, a talented veteran, returned for his first Senior game since Round 1 in a miracle of modern physiotherapy. He began to make his presence felt, beginning with a beautiful long kick into the wind, directly in front of goal, for his first goal of the game.
Paule then took the mark of the season – but it was not from a speccy or from a great contest. He showed off his skill by marking it with both hands behind his back, first juggling the unseen mark, trying to hold it, then trying to get it around in front of him. He kicked it to James Beaumont, who gave Paule’s mark the respect it deserved, converting it into six points. The Bloods scored two consecutive goals, taking the score to 98-57. From the centre bounce, good quick movement was finished off with a goal by Wilson. In response the Bloods goaled, and an Old Haileyburian cried, “We’re coming Bloods!”. Forty-one points down, his optimism had to be admired! Loewe kicked a point close to the goal post, and it was flagged as a charity “goal” – his only one for the day. For his own safety he was being kept a long way away from Seccull. Simon Beaumont had a kick at goal after the siren, but the wind sprang up as he kicked, and sprayed it wide.
Early in the final quarter Tim Davis was knocked in the head and was motionless on the ground. Some small outbreaks resulted before he rose from the dead and resumed playing, after which the Bloods were interestingly given a free kick from the incident and scored a goal. James Beaumont responded with a goal, but OH got another one back. It was 110-81, and the closest the game had been for a while. It proved to be effectively the end of the Bloods’ game, as the Dark Blues began to really enjoy themselves, and entertain their supporters.
Dixon and Cudlipp teamed up to give Cud a goal. There was a lull in scoring before Dixon marked, handpassed to James Beaumont, and he had to pull up quickly before the goal line to give himself time to poke the ball through. The wind cranked up to gale force, and blew the footy past James Beaumont’s hands. His brother Jeremy ran past and toe-poked it through for a goal. From the centre bounce the footy was kicked out to Seccull, who took a magnificent mark. He kicked a good goal in the strong wind, which was blowing left to right across the goals, and he could not help but express his excitement at his own amazing form. Gardiner to Tim Davis to Wilson – goal. Quick movement to Wilson, over to Dixon – goal. Siren.
It was a fantastic win, and required a true four quarter effort. There were no noticeable lulls in the OMs’ pressure, and OH was never allowed to get back into the game. In gusty conditions the OMs’ accuracy was superb, particularly given the costly inaccuracy of the previous week. There was little the OMs could have done better.
Tom Seccull was best on ground. He left the ground to plunge his hands and feet into buckets of iced water, as both were on fire all game. It is hoped his hands will recover from first degree burns in time to once again mark almost everything in the game this week. Lurch reckons he only saw Seccull drop one mark, and that was effectively palmed down to a running player in any case. It was a masterful and entertaining display, and it can only be hoped Seccull can consistently reproduce such great form.
Paule’s occasional brilliance would have stolen the show from Seccull, but for Seccull’s consistency. Paule again put in a solid and valuable effort. Greene’s experience in the middle was crucial, and he was well-supported by Wilmoth’s vision and effort. Tim Davis’ light frame, indestructible body and fearlessness yet again provided the OMs with a great soldier. Hawkins, once the Master of Marking, was only outdone by Seccull as he completed his return to form.
This week the OMs play Hampton Rovers at the Junction Oval for what will probably be the last time at this venue. Although fourth last on the ladder, Hampton is still in relegation territory, and will be desperate to win. In their earlier game against us this season they took the lead in the last quarter, and their strong forwards were troubling. With a finals place secured, and coming off a great win, the OMs will have to approach this game with the will to win to maintain top spot, and to remain in top form for the finals. Get down to the Junction to help cheer the Dark Blues to victory on this famous ground.
