Scores
Thanks to all of our secret scribes who have sent in match reports for the weekends games. Summarised results are below
Seniors || Aquinas 13.20.98 || Manningham Cobras 5.11.41
Reserves || Aquinas 7.15.57 || Manningham Cobras 5.7.37
U19s || Aquinas 21.19.145 || St Kevins 3.5.23
Seniors Match Report
The Seniors headed out to Bulleen to take on arch-rivals and our 2017 Grand Final opponents in Manningham. After our massive 220 point victory in the week prior, a win against the fourth places Cobras (with other games falling in our favour) would cement a miracle finals birth in our 2018 campaign.
The Cobras are known to play well at their snake pit, so a heated and tough encounter was certainly expected. A strong Bloods outfit, including Jacob ‘Chompers’ Burnett and Tyson ‘Neighbours’ Noyes from the Craig Glennie Under 19’s Football Academy, continued their red hot form in the opening term, kicking 3 goals to 0. Matt Prouse found himself free up forward, kicking a rare major to end a dominant quarter from the Bloods. Prouse also put together another solid performance in defence.
The second quarter saw a relentless Aquinas backline hold up strong against a strong breeze, forcing the home side to 0.11 for the first half. A 25-metre penalty after the half time siren, allowed sharpshooter Jake Cawsey to slot through a certain goal, giving a pumped up Bloods outfit a 6-goal lead at the main break.
The Cobras showed a bit of venom to start the third, booting through two goals in as many minutes, to reduce the buffer to just 20 points. The Bloods were able to steady the ship kicking the next 3 goals of the game. Inaccurate kicking in front of the big sticks saw our boys kick 8 behinds for the quarter, opening a slight chance for a Cobra comeback.
However, a determined Aquinas outfit knew they were only one solid quarter of football away from jumping into fourth position. Led by the midfield brigade of Phil Jurkovsky, Anthony Mattioli, James Wright and Joe Morrison-Story (who is in career best form) the young Bloods took complete dominance over the game, booting 3 unanswered goals to put the Cobras to rest.
Aquinas ran away with an emphatic 57-point win, and news quickly circulated of the other games falling in our favour, meaning the Seniors had pulled off an absolute miracle, ensuring they would be playing finals in 2018.
Jake Cawsey was best on ground kicking 7-goals, ending his season tally with 41 majors in just 8 games.
Reserves Match Report
The Reserves arrived at the picturesque Koonung Reserve in Bulleen needing a win against the home side to notch up a victory against every side in the competition. A dominant start was unfortunately not matched by scoreboard pressure and a 2.5 quarter was a disappointing waste of the wind advantage.
Manningham made us pay in the 2nd quarter kicking 5 goals to our 1 and going into the main break with a 3 point lead. A firey speech in the rooms from Coach Judge implored the boys from Great Ryrie Street to put their bodies on the line and work for each other.
The 3rd quarter was undoubtedly where the game was won as the Aquinas lads, despite more inaccuracy in front of goal managed to open up a 13 point lead heading into the final quarter. The impressive part of the premiership quarter was the resolute defence shown by the Aquinas backline.
About a minute into the final term the heavens opened and all sorts of wind squalls, torrential rain and hail bucketed down on the players. A 13 point lead was all of a sudden worth about 5 goals due to the conditions and an early mark and goal to Nick Spencer effectively put the game beyond doubt.
Best players were Nick Hart in the backline, easily his best game of the year he didn’t lose a contest all day and was ably supported by James Dyck and Jay Hamilton. Sam Scanlon, Sam O’Loughlin and James Morris were also important through the middle of the ground.
Onto bigger and better things this week as we face Glen Eira in a crucial second semi final clash.
U19’s Match Report
The Unders headed out to Basil St Reserve to take on St Kevins. We started well but bad kicking meant we weren’t getting the rewards on the scoreboard. It took Harry Kerr to break the shackles with a lovely goal on the run and the Young Bloods were away, 4 late goals for the quarter to go with our 6 points saw us 29 points up at quarter time.
The second quarter was better in front of goals with 6 goals 3 points to the solitary goal from SKOBS our backline impenetrable, well lead by Quinny and Chris Mayne with Brendan Maglica taking some strong marks impressing.
The second half turned into the Jacob Baxter show with our onballers hitting him up consistently, Lukey Latts prominent with quality disposals and Liam Brown doing some damage with his composure. 6 goals straight in the last quarter from Cobb saw him finish with a well deserved 12 goals, his leading a highlight.
In the finish it was a 122pt victory which will give us confidence as we head into the 1st week of finals, where we take on De La Salle at Aquinas for a spot in the Grand Final.
Goal kickers Baxter 12 Dwyer 3 Kerr 2
Best Players Baxter, Leigh, Kerr, Brown, McKinney and Maglica
Functions
Our next major function is Presentation Night which is being held at Linley Estate in Kilsyth. All players, partners, parents and supporters are encouraged to attend what should be a great celebration of the season. Tickets are $95 and include a 2 course meal as well as a full drinks package for the evening. Speak to Craig Glennie for details or email the club at secretary@aquinas.com.au
Finals Fixtures
This weeks games as follows
Seniors || Westbourne Grammarians || 2:20pm Sunday at Garvey Oval, Parade College, Bundoora
Reserves || Glen Eira || 12:00pm Saturday at Whitefriars College, Donvale
U19’s || De La Salle || 9:20am at Aquinas College, Ringwood
Sponsors
Thanks to all of our sponsors who give so generously to our great club
