2 July - Victorian Amateur Football Association

PREMIER CDi LangtonDANCES WITH TIGERSSome strange magic occurred last weekend atGordon Barnard Oval. The Wellers, pale shadowsof their former selves sitting in tenth pozzie,managed to lure in and tame the competition’smost fierce and feared combatant from the wildwild west. Perhaps it was the delayed startingtime that threw Werribee’s preparation, or maybecomplacency had crept into the ladder top-dog’sgame, but the Tigers were fully expected toride into the low plains and pillage some cellardwellerscalp.Whatever the impetus, Old Camberwell put ona three-hour block-buster that channelled a fewancient warrior spirits: Mitch Hough (Stands WithFist), Damo McGuigan (Wind in His Hair) and RohKapoor (Ten Bears) were in the thick of it. Notto mention Robert Penn-Tonkin (Two-Dads).Playing tough, tight, in-close footy, the Wellergameplan paid off in spades particularly in thesecond and third quarters. Not only did they keepWerribee goal-less, they created the scoreboardpressure that would eventually secure the game.Simon Bennett was impenetrable in defencewhile Caine Hillier (3) made a successful returnto the forward line. Werribee had few KickingBirds, with an unprecedented bout of shankingthat sent most attempts off the reservation.Nathan Black managed a pair, while defendersAdam Morrow, Nath Addamo and Matt Deancould hold their heads high. A last quarter surgemade for a too-tense finish, but the Wellers heldon for grim death and a seven point victory. Asthe sun sank slowly in the west, the victors sanka little moonshine to celebrate their move off thebottom peg.In Sunbury, Rupo got off to a quick four goal leadover Ormond that looked ominous as it grewto 36 points by half time. Gareth Phillips got alate VFL call-up from Geelong (the James Bartelconcussion having a domino effect through theselection ranks) but brother Justin was brilliantthrough the midfield providing clean delivery toLeroy Brennan (3) while Jared Pretty (4) wascontent to get his own ball. Ormond debutant,17 year old Tom Gibney (3) was very nippy upforward, while the sure-footed Matt Hine (4)was their best leading a third quarter revivalthat brought them within 8 points, setting up atypically close Ormond-Rupo finish. Rupo held offtheir strong-finishing rivals with an 11-point win.AJAX played a pair of debutants and a veteran intheir lineup against Fitzroy, covering six forcedchanges including Geoff Measey who misseda week for shaking a goalpost in a bizarre raindance at the Runway two weeks back. The Roysthrew everything at the Jackas, sitting within 8points at three quarter time before the Jackashit the after-burners, pushing the final marginout to 38 points. Warren Steinberg was great indefence, while Royboy Tom Cheshire is runninginto excellent form.Jake Beard kicked five for Mazenod in their35-point win over Old Essendon at CentralReserve, Trent Skurrie booted four for theBombers. Essendon led comfortably at the halfbut was completely over-run in the second, theNodders outscoring them ten goals to two.TODAYSelections in BOLDMHSOB v RUPERTSWOODOLD ESSENDON v MONASH BLUESORMOND v MAZENODAJAX v OLD CAMBERWELLWERRIBEE v FITZROY6 THE AMATEUR FOOTBALLER 2011SPORTS INJURY CASUALTY - Get back in the game