By Mick Carty, coach.
The reserves took on 3rd place De La Salle in a game where we needed to win more to keep our finals chances alive. The first quarter was a great start with real conviction in our efforts and intensity all over the ground. The fact we had 22 players for the first time in 5 weeks made it alot easier to rotate players particularly the guys who had just returned from overseas.
After we lead by nine points at ¼ time the second quarter was important to keep reinforcing the pre game messages. The on ballers lead by James Mitchell ,Charlie Wilmoth and Harry Jupp were working really hard around the ground. Down back Ed Mitchell, Jono gooley and Dean Osmond were defending really well. Both teams were trying to score but the pressure was very good by both teams .We held a 10 point lead at ½ time and needed to do more in the second half as good teams will come back.
Sure enough our effort in the third was not good enough and simple turnovers and lack of work rate means opposition teams make you pay and De La salle kicked 3 goals to our nothing.
Now 13 points behind at the last change and big James Mitchell straining his hamstring meant we had to find a new ruckman and who better than his brother Ed. The running stopped and simple skill errors crept in to our game and again they kicked 4 goals to our 2 and ran out 27 point winners
Final Score OM 6-8-44 def by De La sale 10-11-71
Goals-Mat Marangon 2,Ed Hughes 1,Tom Healey 1,Al Ferguson 1,Billy Hatfield 1
Best Marty McCoy,Jono Gooley,Mat Marangon, Dean Osmond,Ed Hughes,Jono Philips