Our sixth consecutive win for the season was also the thirds’ most satisfying. Pitted against our old nemesis De La Salle on an unappealing gluepot at Dairy Bell Park, rocked by the late withdrawal of Judas Bennett and a Goddardesque neck injury to Gordon Code, the threes rose to the challenge with pleasingly familiar tenacity.
In a torrid struggle each goal was worth a premium. Tom Healey slotted our first with a characteristically steady set shot before air-swinging wildly in the goal square to eventually nudge through our second in controversial circumstances. Steve Petsinis gave a visibly disappointed Liv Ralph something to cheer about with a couple of eel specials and set the tone for our tackling efforts up forward.
Meanwhile in the mud and slop of the centre square Jono Gooley was clearly best afield as he consistently won his own footy and made the play. Jack Slade was at his penetrating best and still got a few shots out of the weapon even with a disgustingly muddy and heavy pill. On a day when Will Harris would most likely have stayed at home, Matt Lugg was superb in the ruck and gave the midfielders first use on almost every occasion.
Down back Toby Dickson played with his customary blend of courage and polish, taking several important marks backing into heavy traffic and providing a platform for every forward thrust. Pinch-hitting ruckman/full forward Paddy Levy also lent a bit of poise to the often besieged half back line. A break from Friday night Shark Park did wonders for Chris Stubbe as he split packs and applied his physical presence to win the hard ball and set up our runners. Super veteran Dean Osmond continued to defy both age and his critics and broke several opponents’ resolve with his relentless defensive pressure.
With a three quarter time lead of less than three goals and 75 minutes of hard work behind us the entire side rallied magnificently in the last. Punters who backed ‘any other player’ for the first goal in the final quarter had a handsome collect when Tom Lackmann completed a neat bit of roving on the goal line. Bert Healey bagged his customary last quarter major and the job was done.
The boys would particularly like to thank Charlie Cumbrae Stewart for giving up his Saturday to be our runner and Gus Lapin, Chris Wischer, Harry Jupp, Will Myer, Tim McLardy, Lewis Harralambous, Josh Freezer and Ed Hughes for getting along to support us.
Best players- Jonathan Gooley, James Newton, Chris Stubbe, Jack Slade, Toby Dickson, Tom Healey
Goals- Tom Healey 3, Steve Petsinis 2, Tom Lackmann