VAFA ROUND 2.indd - Victorian Amateur Football Association

UNDER 19
Michael Collins
Nick Duxson
BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD
How quickly the sledgehammer of reality sets in
after a summer of hopeful optimism. Five matches.
Four old fashioned beltings. Four teams back to the
drawing board in hope that their devastating start
was just an aberration.
In an opening round of blowouts and
disappointments, Old Scotch and University
Blues provided the contest of the week. The Blues
seemed the more polished unit earlier on, but the
Cardinals stood firm with a fierce commitment to
the contest that allowed Scotch to level the scores
at halftime. As the match progressed into the third,
Scotch broke down across half-forward with the
lack of an obvious key forward. Scotch’s forward
thrusts continued but the Blues rebounded ably
across halfback and managed to snare a small
lead heading into the final term. Yet, with the
wind behind Scotch’s back, the Cardinals overran
the Blues as James Sansom led the victors with a
complete performance in the midfield. Old Scotch
will look to carry momentum against a struggling
Old Brighton in round two.
De La Salle sent an ominous warning to the
competition with a resounding 93-point victory
over an outclassed Fitzroy. The reigning premiers’
dominated from start to end. Sam Brookes was
the general across halfback with his creativity and
daring dash. De La Salle will meet University Blacks
as they continue on their rampage in the U/19s.
Fitzroy on the other hand, will look to bounce back
at home against the Blues.
Beaumaris continued on from their strong
preseason form with a hard fought but convincing
10 goal win against St Bede’s. Beaumaris’ work-rate
and spread from the congestion was impressive.
Dylan Davis exemplified what coaches want to see
from their troops- a ruthless and uncompromising
attack on the contested ball. While early in the
season, Beaumaris’ encounter with Old Xaverians
this week will reveal if they are legitimate
challengers in season 2011.
Old Brighton’s preseason woes continued in round
one as they failed to register a goal in the first half
against University Blacks. The Blacks held Brighton
with some sturdy defence and run through Simon
Lewis and Jacob Gardiner. The Students eventually
wore down Old Brighton to score a comfortable
win as they now prepare for the ominous task of
tackling the champs, De La Salle.
Old Xaverians began their season campaign with
a 144 point mauling of Old Melburnians. Daniel
Harangozo was the engine in the middle while
Louis Denton dominated around the ground
and finished his slick work with four goals. Xavs’
recorded an astonishing 39 more scoring shots – a
feat which Beaumaris will hope to deny this week.
In North 1, Werribee kicked off their 2011 campaign
with a six goal win away at Old Carey. A six goal to
one second quarter opened up an eight goal gap
for the Tigers, who held on despite a five goal last
quarter for Old Carey. Werribee co-captain Chris
Molivas was amongst the best with seven goals,
while Nick Morris slotted three for Carey.
Old Essendon welcomed Old Ivanhoe to North I
with a 70 point demolition. The home side kept Old
Ivanhoe scoreless in the second quarter, going into
half time with a seven goal lead. Jake Barrett was
amongst the best for Essendon with 4 majors, while
Tim Glesson converted twice for Old Ivanhoe.
Old Trinity almost pulled off a miraculous comeback
away at Marcellin before going down in a nail-biter
by five points. A massive seven goal last quarter
from Trinity almost cancelled out a 37 point three
quarter time deficit, but Marcellin proved too
good in the end. Dan Isaac was voted best on for
Marcellin, who had four multiple goal scorers, and
Sam Stacker slotted five majors for the visitors.
After a competitive first quarter, St Bernard’s ran
all over the top of a hapless Bullants at home.
Bernards captain Harry Overman led the way, while
both sides’ ruckmen battled valiantly all day long
50 THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2011
SPORTS INJURY CASUALTY - OPEN 1-7 SATURDAY