Phoenix downed by OMs

Monday 03 September 2018

The Phoenix had their season cut short on Sunday, going down to Old Melburnians by ten points in their semi-final clash at Trevor Barker Oval.

Persistent rain throughout the morning made conditions greasy and difficult for either side to find clean possession, but the Blacks were able to trim a nine-point quarter time margin to just one point at half time.

It was OMs who found the going a bit easier in the third quarter, booting three goals to the Blacks' two to put a small amount of breathing space between the two teams at the final change.

The Blacks were able to kick another goal in the final term to offer hope of a win, but OMs would answer with one of their own and hold on for a gritty ten-point win.

Ethan Etheridge, Brayden Poole, Josh Dawson and Rohan Cleary were among the best players, while Julian Di Nezza finished with a couple of goals in a solid display up forward.

Although the Phoenix are out of the running from a finals point of view, they should be immensely proud of their efforts in 2018. Sitting sixth on the Premier Thirds ladder after Round 13, they won five games in a row from Rounds 14 to 18 and built some real momentum heading into Sunday. Hopefully they can carry that momentum into 2019.