1 win from 4 matches probably didn’t tell the tale of the tape out of Round 7. With both women’s sides deserving of a win and the men’s reserves right in it until the last 10 minutes.
Women’s Seniors 4.3.27 defeated Mazenod 1.8.14
Fresh off an impressive win the week before the women headed back to their familiar territory at J.W. Manson Reserve looking for more success.
A brilliant start via an inspirational Di Haines goal from long range had the crowd in awe and Hainesy stoked.
Jenna White and Tash Derksen were on top in the middle of the ground and Aquinas had all the running.
Sienna Jones and Yasna Cook quickly followed up with goals and all of a sudden the Bloods were on a roll and leading 3.2.20 to 0.0.0 at the first break.
A dominant pack mark and subsequent goal from Holly Spicer early in the 2nd quarter was followed by 2 crucial injuries to the Aquinas team.
Coupled with the fact they had 6 players doubling up who’d just played a full game in the reserves the 27 point lead was golden.
After half time the game was slowed down as the women in red, black and green piled on the determination and played the clock to perfection.
Withstanding a heavy onslaught after half time, it was stoppage after stoppage as Aquinas managed to eek out an important 13 point victory and with it, a spot in the top 4 for the first time this season.
Special shoutout to Soph Patterson and Di Haines who were instrumental down back especially in the back half of the game.
Women’s Reserves 6.4.40 defeated by Mazenod 6.6.42
Controlling the game and the scoreboard for 99% of the game it was a heartbreaking loss for the reserves.
4 goals from Laura McHugh and 1 from Soph Braunthal were just rewards for some fantastic team play across the ground.
Bella Schneiders kicked goal of the year, winning a 3 on 1 contest on the forward flank, she fought them off then sprinted off towards goal and kicked truly. She celebrated in style, rock on.
The midfield brigade of Ash Broderick and Izzy Sharma were unchanged all day in the slop, ably supported by Phoebe McNamara and Jess Campbell on break from her Melbourne Rebels rugby commitments.
Unfortunately despite some fantastic play in the last quarter Mazenod kicked a goal with just 8 seconds left on the clock to snatch victory and it was heartbreak for the Bloods.
Despite the loss this team is really starting to play some wonderful football and this will begin to show in terms of results soon.
Men’s Seniors 8.12.60 defeated by Parkside 19.9.123
A fast start for Aquinas on the bottom oval saw us skip to a 12 point lead courtesy of goals from Jono Nicosia and Gavin O’Malley.
Unfortunately Parkside then kicked the next 7 goals of the match and really used the rare firm ground to their advantage at the Reilly Street end.
9 goals to 4 over the next 2 quarters really blew out the margin which was probably unfair on the Aquinas men as they were battling really hard but just lacked the polish and finishing ability of the Parkside team.
Gavin O’Malley worked hard all day despite a broken hand sustained in the first quarter, Harry Flack was his usual dynamic best in the midfield and Nick Hannah was back to his best in a best on ground display.
The last quarter proved more fruitful for the Bloods as we peppered the goals and lost the quarter by a solitary point.
We get to play on a much better surface this week at Whitefriars and hopefully our young guns can run on the top of the ground for the first time in weeks and can find that winning form.
The boys have been working hard at training and haven’t been getting the rewards so hopefully we can grab the 4 points this weekend against our old rivals and get our hands on the Wilkinson-Strike Cup.
Men’s Reserves 4.1.25 defeated by Parkside 4.11.35
An incredibly low scoring game unfortunately went against Aquinas this week after Parkside finally got their goal kicking boots on late in the game.
Having kept the opposition goalless in the first half Aquinas were rightly confident of victory but a tense second half ensued and goals were at a premium.
Josh Robertson managed 2 for the home side whilst Leon Holewa was at his usual best down back, helping to earn himself team of the month honours.
Naish Campbell was electric on the wing in what turned out to be a big 24 hours for the man.
Another chance this week for victory and a strong side selected, let’s hope we can snag the 4 points and get back on the winners list.