Aquinas took on Parkside FC at the fortress which is The Vein, with the hope of notching up their 7th straight victory.
Parkside would be no pushover though, especially after last time these two teams encountered each other which saw a gallant fight by the Alphington based club.
A wet and windy Saturday saw Aquinas win the toss and kick towards the Wantirna Road end which has now transformed itself into a mud slop thanks to the unpredictable weather of the Melbourne climate.
This decision by acting skipper James McMahon confused majority of the rugged up, coffee wielding supporters, however Macca proved himself a genius after the Bloods came out and kicked 6 first quarter goals to 0.
A fantastic team effort saw Russell Foster in unusual territory kicking the first major of the game. The footy had to be quickly swapped over as no one at the ground had a ladder high enough to reach the moon that Russell’s kick no doubt ended up on.
The Bloods were ferocious at the ball from the get go. Lou’s canteen must have sold out of dimmies pre-game as Aquinas had an unyielding hunger for the footy right across the ground, which saw them control majority of the play.
This total dominance allowed our big targets in Liam Whelan and Ash Naulty to hit the scoreboard early, helping themselves to two early goals apiece.
The second quarter started off like a scene out of a horror movie. If the horror was about Parkside getting the first two clearances and kicking 2 goals within the first two minutes of the quarter of course. The margin was quickly reduced to 4 goals and momentum was with the away team.
However, the ship was soon steadied and the game was quickly shifted back into the hands of Aquinas who managed to kick 7 straight goals unanswered.
Joe Morrison-Story helped himself to an inspirational goal with the two goals sneaks in Billy O’loughlin and Hayden Judge contributing to the cause with 2 goals apiece.
Aquinas’ half time margin of 69 points was swiftly cut through by the proud Devils, who managed to boot 5 majors helping them to take honours of a frustrating and wasteful quarter from Aquinas.
Phil Dyck erected a fight back in the last term after a ¾ time spray from coach Ash Naulty, and with his best game in the red, black & green took complete control over the ruck battle.
Aquinas ran away with an 83-point victory on the back of another 6 goal term.
Nick Morrison-story had a field day with a familiar 30 disposal game for the club, supported by Jarrod ‘Sharky’ Fisher who was thrown into the deep end of the backline for the day and finished with 24 touches and multiple rebound 50’s.
Will Morris impressed again in his second senior game for the year as well as James McMahon, who both collected 21 disposals along with 8 marks apiece.
The Bloods sit pretty in 2nd position with a healthy percentage of 310, only one game behind the undefeated North Brunswick.
Aquinas take on the in-form Eley Park Sharks away this weekend in Phil Jurkovsky’s 150th game for the club.