6 September 2009
2009 Second semi-final at Coburg Oval.
OLD MELBURNIANS v ST. KEVIN’s.
SENIORS.
1ST Quarter: OMs 2.2.14 SK 3.3.21
2nd Quarter: OMs 5.8.38 SK 4.4.28
3rd Quarter: OMs 8.14.62 SK 10.7.67
Full time: OMs 20.21.141 SK 13.8.86
Goals: Michael Davis (5), James Beaumont (4), Simon Beaumont (3), Jeremy Beaumont (2), Marty Kennon (2), Tom Seccull (2), Adam Marangon (1), Tom Paule (1).
Best: Adam Marangon, Angus Lapin, Tom Paule, James Beaumont, Tim Davis, Mark Hawkins.
Report by Lurch.
It was allegedly springtime finals football, and while it was finals football, it was anything like spring at Coburg Oval, where the weather was as bleak as the ground. Although it did not rain, the sky was dark and threatening, and a gale blew strongly towards the southern end of the ground. It was to this end of the ground the St. Kevin’s captain had the misfortune to elect to kick when he won the toss.
Coming out strongly, and being favoured by fortune, St. Kevin’s had 20 points on the scoreboard before James Beaumont kicked the Dark Blue’s first goal. St. Kevin’s kept coming strongly, but exceptional work by the OMs’ defence prevented any further major damage being done. It was a depleted backline, already missing Captain Turner and Sam Playfair, and it lost Charlie Gardiner to injury halfway through the first quarter. This is, however, a backline which has been through the fires of hell in recent years, and which has emerged tougher for the experience. Its only fault was occasionally handballing backwards into the mire despite the way forward being clear. The OMs’ forwards had minimal opportunities against the wind, but when Jeremy Beaumont’s great tackle in the forward line gave him possession, he kicked to Michael Davis, who snapped at goal and bounced one through. It was 14-20. The going was tough, as players from both sides hit the ground as a consequence of solid clashes. St. Kevin’s had a long and ultimately unsuccessful attack on goal which ended with the siren. Having only a goal less than St. Kevin’s, which had the wind, seemed to be a good result, but this could only be confirmed by St. Kevin’s second quarter effort going into the wind.
The second quarter continued in the same vein as the first, with the play getting quite willing. Although the OMs had the wind, there was no score by either side during the first eight minutes. Steven Greene helped break the drought by bombing from the centre to James Beaumont, inside the 50m arc, and his pass to Kennon resulted in a snap and a goal. Good work by Will Harvey through the centre began a chain of possessions which found James Beaumont, who ran, steadied, and goaled. It was 28-22. A series of penalties then gave St. Kevin’s its only goal for the quarter, showing just how good a job the OMs had done against the wind on their own merits in the first quarter. The Dark Blues then spent a long time in attack, but kept missing, and failed to make the best possible use of the advantage given by the wind. 3.6 for the quarter could have been a score later regretted. Some good work was done leading up to these failed shots on goal. Michael Davis took a great speccy. Seccull played very clever footy when the area in front of goal was so congested it was impossible to get clean possession and a shot at goal. He punched the footy 25m back to the 50m arc into space, where a chain of possessions around the arc presented a shot on goal which was, unfortunately, one of many misses. Eventually Michael Davis found space, ran onto the loose ball, and goaled.
At halftime it was a ten point lead to the OMs, who had not made the most of the wind, but who had restricted St. Kevin’s to 1.1 for the quarter. If they could restrict St. Kevin’s scoring with the wind in the third quarter, it would help set up a win in the final quarter with the wind.
The second half was very different from the first. It became a much more open, free-flowing game, with less intensity. St. Kevin’s scored the first goal from a free kick, but James Beaumont retaliated immediately, drilling a magnificent goal against the wind from the centre bounce. In these conditions a goal against the wind was effectively worth two. St. Kevin’s then got a run-on, scoring two quick goals to take the lead. Michael Davis stopped this run getting out-of-hand by breaking free and nailing a goal. St. Kevin’s scored a goal or two before the OMs turned the tide and went into attack, but scored only points against a wind which was pulling kicks up short, and swinging the footy sideways. Jeremy Beaumont then showed the way by marking and goaling, taking the score to 61-66. St. Kevin’s ended the quarter long in attack, but the Dark Blue Rock of Gibraltar that is the OMs’ defence kept out all but a further point. Only five points down at three quarter time, it was either side’s game, but the OMs had the advantage of the wind, and just had to work hard to use it well.
The OMs have had some awesome fourth quarters in 2009, but none more so than this one. The siren had barely stopped sounding to mark the start of the fourth quarter when the goal umpire could already be seen waving two flags, signalling the fact Michael Davis had marked and launched a huge kick at goal. It may well have happened faster than Ablett’s record effort of several months ago. Kennon then marked directly in front and goaled. From the centre bounce, Marangon hoofed the footy, bouncing it mid-point in front of the goal and point post, and spinning it Warne-style across and through for a spectacular goal. From the centre bounce James Beaumont kicked and goaled. It was a Dark Blue tsunami, and, after years of being on the wrong side of goal-scoring sprees, it was incredibly satisfying. It was not yet over. Seccull kicked a monster which fell short, but cleared the pack, and Simon Beaumont swooped and snapped a beautiful goal from the tightest of angles. It was 95-67, and the optimists were declaring the game was over. The pessimists wanted a greater margin closer to the siren before making such a call, keeping in mind Carlton’s experience the previous night.
St. Kevin’s was given a goal from a free kick, but Seccull then marked as he fell to the ground, and goaled. Simon Beaumont broke free of his opponent and goaled. Marangon screwed the footy across to Simon, who dobbed his third goal for the quarter. Michael Davis then knocked the footy over to Seccull, who snapped, goaled, and was dragged. Paule steamed in and goaled, after which St. Kevin’s managed two consecutive goals. Marangon took the footy out of the centre, delivered it to Jeremy Beaumont, and he delivered the Dark Blue’s final goal. It was a quarter to remember!
Michael Davis was arguably best on ground. Not only did he top-score, he also set up many goals, and his delivery was impeccable. His younger brother Turbo Timmy also had a big day out, fearlessly throwing his wiry frame into the fray, and coming out with the footy more often than not. Marangon had an almost equal claim to best-on-ground status with Michael Davis, but for some mistakes made early in the game. When remembered, however, that he was in Year 12 at MGS last year, and this is his first Senior season, it puts into perspective just how good he is. He loves to run, and his delivery rarely lets him down. Similar to him is another youngster, Lapin, who again played well, although perhaps with less impact than in some recent games. His skills are exceptional, and to watch him and Marangon in action is inspirational. Paule played the tough and uncompromising but skilful football to which we have become accustomed this year, and he stood up against the toughest St. Kevin’s had to offer. The Beaumont brothers had a big day out, with James again delivering regularly both on the scoreboard and into the forward line. Hawkins again proved his return to the Seniors was long-overdue, dominating in the centre to help the OMs get first use of the footy, particularly in the final quarter when multiple goals were scored within seconds of centre bounce clearances.
The win puts the OMs into the B Grade grand final for 2009, and therefore automatically returned them to A Grade, where they will relish taking on Scotch and other old foes in 2010. This weekend they have the opportunity to refresh themselves in readiness to play either St. Kevin’s or Trinity in the grand final on 19 September 2009. The Under 19s play their grand final this Sunday, 13 September 2009 from 2:15pm at Trevor Barker Oval, Sandringham. All supporters of the Dark Blue are urged to get along to support the future of the Old Melburnians.
