Scores
Another quadruple win for The Bloods on the weekend once again saw every player and supporter with a big grin on their face.
Thanks to all of our secret scribes who have sent in match reports for the weekends games. Summarised results are below
Seniors || Aquinas 12.6.78 – Old Westbourne 8.11.59
Reserves || Aquinas 14.11.95 – Old Westbourne 6.13.49
Women || Aquinas 7.7.49 – De La Salle 3.5.23
U19s || Aquinas 25.17.167 – Therry Penola 3.2.20
Seniors Match Report
The Bloods were up against the in-form team of the competition — Westbourne Grammarians, in a must win clash to stay alive in the finals race. Last time these two teams met, Aquinas travelled out over the Westgate to the Westbourne School, falling short in a disappointing loss in round 8. Westbourne had been on an unbeaten rampage since that encounter, with the Bloods hoping to end their run on our home deck.
A new look Bloods outfit saw a number of inclusions into the lineup, with — Jacob Costello, Campbell Grech and Tyson Noyes coming straight out of the Craig Glennie football academy along with debutant and cousin-of Michael Costello, joined by a man who needs no introduction, Nick Morrison-Story. The game also marked 150 games for club favourite Sam O’Loughlin.
The first quarter was a tight contest that saw inaccurate kicking from Westbourne limit them to a 1-point deficit at the first break. Then second quarter was an all Aquinas onslaught as the home team booted 5 unanswered goals. Lachie Naulty put together as dominant of a quarter performance ever witnessed at the Vein, pulling apart the Westbourne defence as he muscled his way to 3 consecutive goals from contested marks. The midfield brigade took complete control over the game, helped by the sensational tap-ruck work from debutant Campbell Grech. James Wright and Nick Morrison-Story won just about every clearance for the quarter, with the former helping himself to a major to continue the onslaught. The Grammarians true to their form bounced back in solid fashion, kicking the last 2 goals of the quarter to reduce the Aquinas lead to just 15-points at the main break.
The Bloods controlled the entirety of the third term, kicking 3.3 to 0.1. Lach Naulty kicked his 4th for the afternoon with David Malvaso bobbing up to kick 2 important goals for the day. Despite a 35-point margin at the final break, Westbourne did what all good teams do, and fought themselves back into the contest, kicking 4 unanswered goals to bring themselves within 13-points.
Aquinas managed to hold off the rampaging Westbourne, keeping the scores deadlocked for 5 minutes late in the piece. Anthony ‘The Bull’ Mattioli kicked the sealer for the Bloods, who kept their season alive for a 19-point victory.
Jacob Costello was quite clearly best on ground, taking well over 20 marks for the day, to the point where he was being tagged at Centre Half Back. Fellow backmen Lach Barnes and Jarrod Sund put together another outstanding performance, continuing on from their consistent form to date.
Aquinas travel out to Kevin Bartlett Reserve this week to take on Richmond Central who are currently equal on points on the ladder. A win keeps the hunt for finals alive. A loss is curtains.
Reserves Match Report
After a disappointing 6 point loss the week before to Hawthorn the Reserves found themselves in unwanted territory. A win was the only possible option against 2nd placed old Westbourne otherwise we would be finding ourselves in strife to make the finals.
A great start for the boys helped by a big quarter from Damien Lord in the ruck saw us 19 points in front at ¼ time. Kicking against the slight breeze in the 2nd it was important that we at least hold our lead if not try to extend it. Extend it we did with an important goal, however inaccurate kicking from straight in front prevented a greater lead at the half. Importantly the backline once again held firm thanks largely to Jay Hamilton and James Dyck. A 26 point half time lead meant we had more work to do.
The message at the main break from Judgy was to keep pushing and to take our chances. This message obviously sunk in as the boys from Great Ryrie Street kicked 3 goals in 3 minutes to begin the quarter and effectively ended the contest. A goal to the visitors was quickly negated with 4 more to the Bloods and the 2’s were effectively home at ¾ time with a 61 point lead.
Unfortunately in the last quarter we took our throats off their necks and allowed 5 relatively cheap goals however the damage was done with a comfortable 46 point win ensuring the Bloods are well and truly still in the mix for a top 2 spot and that all important double chance.
Best players were Lordy in the ruck, Kinga up forward with 5 goals and Ash Jaya with a return to form on the wing. Tom Rosevear once again just got the job done in the middle.
This week we face Richmond Centrals and a victory would mean an end to their season. This is an important game as Richmond have a long tradition of being strong come finals time in the Reserves.
Women’s Match Report
This week the women took on De La Salle away at Burwood reserve with just 18 players for the day. Karli’s grandparents in attendance the Women were hoping to go two in a row, as their season is coming to an end. The girls were working with a matchbox sized oval, not like what their used to at Great Ryrie Street.
Caitie Flanagan and Sarah Beattie kicked the Bloods off in the first quarter with a 13-point lead. Caitie Flanagan just trailing 2 goals behind leading goal kicker Molly Sheehan at the beginning of the game. Emily O’Keefe a consistent and reliable player for the Women, played her best game for the season. She had a hard attack at the ball, and always clean hands. Em regularly moves between Mid field and the back pocket, to assist in moving the ball forward.
After half time the Bloods returned with just 17 players to take the field. Vice-Captain Bronwyn Dean played in the forward line alongside Alyce Bishop. Brons courage and tenacity helped her in playing her best game for the season, goal assisting on many occasions. Late night note taking from the AFL game the night before, saw Bron take on the De La women with a Dustin Martin “don’t argue” (and the crowd went wild).
Rach Mackay and Taylor Leslie took the game on in their respective positions, as well as both assisting in the ruck. Caitie Flanagan had an absolute day out on the field kicking 5 well celebrated goals to get the Bloods over the line, final scores being Aquinas 7.7.49, De La 3.5.23.
This puts Caitie in the lead for most goals kicked for 2018. Molly ‘Hot Feet’ Sheehan has her work cut out for her next week if she wants to hold the top spot.
The Women play their last game this week, 11:40 at home; against 2nd on the ladder Old Ivanhoe. Their hoping to finish their first season off with a crowd in attendance as they run out for last time in 2018.
U19’s Match Report
The Unders headed out to Oak Park to take on Therry/Penola who unfortunately could only field a team of 15.
The Bloods, after a slow start, with Therry pushing all their numbers back, did what was expected.
After kicking 4 in the first, we kicked 7, 6 and 8 goals to demolish our poor opposition with our switching of the football and our ball use going forward the highlights of the game.
Harry ‘The Wiz’ Dwyer kicked 8 with Poppy Mantel at the top of the goal kicking table with a lazy 5.
Best players Wiz, H Kerr, Livo, Shepherd, Leigh and Robb.
The Unders are back home this week, to take on Mazenod who defeated us earlier in the year, the boys keen to square the ledger.
E&S Women’s Player of the Week
Congratulations to this week’s E&S Women’s Player of the Week Emily O’Keefe.
Emily started the year as a dependable back pocket with a take no prisoners approach.
As the season went on she tried her hand in the middle and has got better with each game.
On Saturday her sure hands and cool head ensured another win to The Bloods against De La Salle.
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 || Richmond Centrals || 2:00pm at Kevin Bartlett Reserve, Richmond
Reserves || Richmond Centrals || 11:40am at Kevin Bartlett Reserve, Richmond
Women’s || Old Ivanhoe || 11:40am at Aquinas College
U19’s || Mazenod || 9:20am at Aquinas College
Sponsors
Thanks to all of our sponsors who give so generously to our great club
