Rd. 3 Club XVIII Match Report

3 May 2011

Perhaps it was the stocking up on chocolate eggs over the Easter break or perhaps it was
the ‘excitement’ at watching the royal wedding the night before. Whatever the reason, the clubbies
juggernaut kicked into gear with a rousing 54 point demolition of the other university in a match that
is sure to kick-start future success and glory this season.

In his pre-match address, Merls stressed the need for a big start from the boys with the first goal of
the game. Despite this occurring, it looked as if the Blacks were headed for another poor first term
as Monash proceeded to kick the next three. The tide turned however as the midfield were able to
win some important clearances and with some brilliant finishing from big Moff (left footed snap-
over-the-head anyone?) we went into the first break trailing the Blues by just two points.

The premiership quarter came early for the Blacks, kicking 6 goals to one in a term that saw as have
winners all over the ground. Mick and Bruise were easily winning the ruck contests and feeding the
ball out brilliantly to the likes of Buster, Cords, Gus and Cam who were able to effectively move
the ball into our forward line, whilst young Oli provided excellent dash and carry for us setting up
countless scoring opportunities. The team rule ‘hands off the deck’ and ‘head over the ball’ seemed
to stick this match as the Blacks continually came away with the pill, were able to feed it to a
teammate in a better position and set up play on our terms. Moff had now also taken his match tally
to a lazy 5 without breaking into a sweat. 6 goals to 1 in the second – killed it!

The Blues came out with something to prove in the third and it’s a credit to our backline that we
were able to keep them out for this period. George Allen continued to win possession and took
some spectacular contested marks against strong opposition whilst Pup Ross gave the Blacks some
much needed run and carry. Full marks must also go to Scotty who played a beautiful first game at
centre half back and Phibbsy who came in for his first for the year: solid as a rock the pair of them.
Once repelled, the Blacks gained the ascendancy through some hard running, great decision making
and clinical finishing. In one passage of play, the ball came to Chest, quick hands to Wattsy who ran
in to kick one from 40 metres with the afore mentioned handballer crowing ‘Vintage Wattsssyyy!’
The storm was weathered, the Blacks were able to win the quarter 5 goals to 2, and the stage was
set for a cracking last quarter hurrah.

One might be forgiven for thinking that such a lead might breed complacency in a side, but this
would be ignorant and arrogant thinking. The Blacks still worked to bring others into the play, still
made their tackles stick and still bent their croaking backs and knees to be first with their head over
the ball. It was this hunger that saw our brilliant backline repel attack after attack, it was this hunger
that saw our magnificent midfield win the hardball and then run and carry and our fabulous forward
line work hard to keep the ball in, apply pressure to their backs and keep stacking the pain on our
much maligned opposition. All in all, this saw us kick 6 goals to 1 in the last term, the best of which
saw Buster run on to a loose ball, evade a stretching tackler and bag one from around 50 metres.
The final score: Blacks 111, Blues 57. This match saw our backline continue to growth in strength
and stature, it saw a greater gelling in our midfield and it saw our forwards working hard for one
another. Oh, and it saw Moff finish the match with 8.

Back to Crawford oval next week again Prahran Assumption. More of the same Blacks: let’s hit the
track hard and belt out the rest of the season.

Parris.