Scores
Thanks to all of our secret scribes who have sent in match reports for the weekends games. Summarised results are below
Seniors || Aquinas 13.6.84 – Hawthorn 19.22.136
Reserves || Aquinas 11.15.79 – Hawthorn 12.15.85
Women || Aquinas 5.2.32 – Whitefriars 4.4.28
U19s || Aquinas 14.15.99 – St Bedes Mentone 5.7.37
Seniors Match Report
After a narrow 1 goal defeat at the hands of the undefeated, top placed Glen Eira the round prior, the Bloods took great confidence in travelling away to take on a 2nd positioned Hawthorn outfit.
The first quarter saw an arm-wrestle between both sides, with the scoreboard remaining goalless for the first 10-minutes — despite the size of the ground representing that of a matchbox.
The in-form Jake Cawsey slotted through the first major for the day, ending up with 3 majors next to his name — taking his goal tally to 18 in just 5 matches.
The home team helped themselves to 2 first quarter goals, however the Bloods responded with 2 more of their own, with David Malvaso in his first senior game for the year, marking inside 50 and kicking truly to help regain the lead at the first break.
Inaccurate kicking in front of goal from the Hawks helped the Bloods stay within reach of their strongly fancied opposition. Immense amounts of pressure on the ball forced multiple turnovers, allowing the Bloods to propel the ball forward through countless forward attacks.
Aquinas had all of the play in the 2nd, as the young prodigy Michael Di Donato helped himself to a couple of majors, ending the day with an impressive 3-goal haul.
Two late goals in the final moments of the quarter allowed the Hawks to creep to within 4-points at the main break, with the Bloods leading 47-43.
The third term was another tight tussle, with both teams going goal for goal, with neither able to break away.
The midfield duo of Joe Morrison-Story and Anthony ‘The Bull’ Mattioili were outstanding all day, helping their team to get on top in the centre clearances throughout the game.
The Aquinas defence held strong despite countless forward presses from Hawthorn, lead by the ever consistent Jarrod Sund and Matt Prouse who was a late call up for the clash, not looking a step out place despite an unorthodox preparation.
Another goal on the siren allowed Hawthorn to break the stalemate, going into the final break with a 2-goal buffer.
Despite high hopes of an upset, the home side proved too strong in the clinches, with Hawthorn booting away to a 9-goal to 3 final quarter. A disappointing lapse when it mattered ceased any chance of an Aquinas victory.
However, the Bloods will still take confidence into next round knowing full well we can match it with the best, as we take on an in-form Westbourne outfit at home this Saturday.
Reserves Match Report
The Reserves came out to play at Hawthorn half asleep and as a result found themselves behind the 8 ball from the very beginning.
With Rathmines Reserve resembling a tennis court in terms of total surface area it took our backline by surprise and as a result the Hawthorn forwards feasted on some early opportunities.
A 43 point deficit at one stage in the 3rd quarter was probably a little kind to the home side but nevertheless Aquinas had plenty to do to get back into the contest.
It is arguable whether a single Hawthorn player had a possession in the last quarter as Aquinas finally awoke from their slumber. Once again though poor conversion in front of the big sticks cost us with multiple easy chances going begging. 3.7 for the quarter was the killer with Michael ‘Mompers’ Costello having a shot at goal fall short after the siren. The Bloods went down by 6 points.
Women’s Match Report
The sun shone down on the bottom oval of Great Ryrie Street as the Women looked to follow the lead of the U19’s. Taking on our arch rivals Whitefriars, who were sitting 2nd on the ladder and were hoping to cement their top two finals position.
A nervous start to the game, had Aquinas questioning how long we could hold on for before the Whitefriars tip toed away. We welcomed back the women’s first ever player to be named in a VFL side Maddy Wright, her short stint on the field before a devastating knee injury assisted the Bloods in a getting a kick start at the centre clearances and goal assisting.
Whitefriars were on top of the Bloods at half time with a 14 point lead. The Women disappointed with their start, falling second to the ball and lacking the communication and team effort they knew they had from previous weeks. We regrouped at half time and questioned our beliefs and values, knowing we could give more to the game. Like father like son, club great Craig Barnes whispered some inspiring words to the women, and described how committed we were to this game.
The Women came out in the 3rd with Laura Weeks booting a goal to send us on our way, the girls roared with excitement and the show went on. Best on ground were Em Winters, Sophie Matthys, Kate O’Loughlin and Freya Dowling.
Pocket rockets Caitie Flanagan and Molly Sheehan each kicked 2 snags. The back line, like a well oiled machine kept Whitefriars scoreless in the second half.
With no bench for the remainder of the game due to injuries the women gave everything to send Whitefriars home without a peep and Aquinas taking the win by just 4 points.
Not bad on the bottom oval they say.
U19’s Match Report
The Unders hosted St Bedes/Mentone on the bottom oval at Bloods Stadium which has become a fortress for them this year. St Bedes had to win this game to kep their finals hope alive and the unders wanted to continue on their winning way following the break the week before. Big out for the unders were the coach, boundary umpire and water carrier who were sunning themselves in Bali. Assistant coach Cam was ready to step up and expected big things from the boys. Donuts O’Malley just wanted a win in Oxs absence as his previous 2 eforts had been unsuccessful.
The Bloods got off to a great start with the midfield dominating however poor execution and a bout of smothers kept the scores pretty even at quarter time. The score did not reflect our dominance. The stand-in coach did not yell and scream though at quarter time, he encouraged the boys and focused on the positives of which there were plenty.
The second quarter saw a bit of an improvement but once again the Tigers from Mentone would not roll over and fed off our turnovers. Half time saw the Bloods maintain extend their lead but poor kicking was hurting our chances of finishing off the Tigers . There were contributors all over the ground but our elite midfield were dominating out of the middle.
The third quarter saw a bit of an arm wrestle but our defence was paricularly strong where we held the opposition goalless. Donuts tried the move of the year by throwing Joffa up front following the withdrawal from the game of Cob for an elevated heart rate which was not caused by work rate in the forward line. This proved to be a great move with his enthusiasm and tackling pressure surprising the Tigers backline. The stand in coach urged his players to finish offf the game in style as we knew the opposition were ready to crack open.
As had been the story all day we dominated all over the ground and a 6 goal to 2 final quarter and 62 point win provided an acurate reflection of the days outing.
Hard to single out any individuals as everyone played their part. This group are starting to have a real belief in their ability and are setting their sights on higher honours at the end of the year. This win and other results ensured the Bloods are one game clear at the top of the ladder.
Cam had time to sing the club song before rushing to the airport for a flight to Vietnam. Donuts went off to Dinkums to celebrate in style.
This week we are at bottom of the table Thierry Penola were we expect trying to find our way to the ground might be the biggest challenge (sic) but we are keeping a lid on it. Ox and his Blood family will be back to guide the boys with Cam golfing in Vietnam and Donuts in NZ seeking new franchising opportunities.
E&S Women’s Player of the Week
Congratulations to this week’s E&S Women’s Player of the Week Emily Winters.
Emily has played much of her footy through the middle or on the wing this year and provides a lot of attacking flair through her explosive speed and evasiveness.
On Saturday she was the driving force behind our comeback win over 2nd placed Whitefriars.
Well done Emily
Functions
We have a Sunday Session booked in on Sunday 12th August at our sponsor The Firehouse in Ringwood. There will be a one hour happy hour on the day with all proceeds going towards the Bloods. Thanks to Rob Mantel for his hospitality.
Round 13
This weeks games as follows
Seniors || Old Westbourne || 2:00pm at Aquinas College
Reserves || Hawthorn || 11:40am at Aquinas College
Women’s || De La Salle || 11:40am at Aquinas College
U19’s || Therry Penola || 9:20am at Therry Penola
Sponsors
Thanks to all of our sponsors who give so generously to our great club
