In many ways football was the loser on Saturday as the 3s ground out an ugly victory in horrid conditions. A sluggish start gave Werribee the first (and their last) goal of the game but only the OMs adjusted their footy to suit the Oval 1 quagmire and after quarter time the result was not in doubt.
Even in the grim conditions, there were still significant positives. In the absence of his promoted partner, Jono Gooley played his best game for the year across half back setting up many forward forays and Aaron Gregory's silky skills and soccer pedigree served him well in the wet. Nic Russell's attack on the footy was first rate and his left foot reverse-barrel was one of the goals of the day.
The much-anticipated return of the Finley Flyer, Pete 'Pistol' Kennon was everything the fans could have hoped for as PK dominated the clearances, setting up goals and jagging two of his own. Tim Gobbo's precision kicking put him among our best and in weather that would have seen some big men (Ben Baines) fake work commitments Clunker Lugg, Townsing and debutant Lackmann all got their dukes around the soapy pill and ensured we always had a target heading forward. Putting aside the disappointment of his demotion from the captaincy, Spirit McCoy was at his bullocking best around the stoppages while Tom Healey's three last-quarter goals put some polish on the final scores.
This was not a game for the highlights reel but an important test of character that the group passed with flying colours. The bandwagon rolls on.
OM's 10.17.77 defeated Werribee 1.4.11
Best- J. Gooley, M. McCoy, P. Kennon, A. Gregory, C. Stubbe, L. Cameron
Goals- T. Healey 3, P. Kennon 2, N. Russell 2, T. Gobbo, M. Stannard, M. Neal