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OLD ESSENDON 16.14. 110 def CAULFIELD GRAMMARIANS 2.10. 22 Goal Kickers: G. Colosimo, G. Poulter
Best Players: E. Kalaja, M. Murphy, A. Spittal, S. Garrood, J. McCahon, B. Scott Coming off the back of a superb win which had rejuvenated the Reserves self belief and winning mentality, the $64,000 question was, quite simply, would the momentum carry on as we journeyed out to the windy plains of Essendon? Throughout the week both the quality and intensity of training had lifted noticeably. You could not help but feel the year was going to end the way in which we had envisaged at the beginning of the season. It was going to be a tough ask against a formidable OEG outfit, but as Bustling Blair Hall would say ‘Anything is possible in amateur footy’.
With two players short at the first bounce and a few injury concerns on top of that it was imperative that the Fields made their intentions known right from the start. Accountable football was the order of the day and when we had possession we were to roll the dice and attack. With nothing to lose and pride to play for the Fields attacked the ¼ with the vigour and relentlessness that, as the week before would attest, had the potential for us to snatch a gritty win.
The highlight of the ¼ was not a goal shoot out; only one goal was kicked by Gav Colosimo, but the continual improvement from Andrew Spittal, the versatility of Brett Scott and the footy smarts and leadership from Edward Kalaja. Blair Hall was causing headaches for the OEG defenders with his pace and unpredictability and it seems this is ‘Snake’ Dorman’s home away from home with the big man once again owning the ruck at his favourite ground. A good, solid 1/4 of contested footy saw the Fields with a well earned 8 point lead. However, kicking with the wind and not putting the pressure on the scoreboard would prove to be the turning point in the game.
The 2/4 saw OEG use the wind and their knowledge of the ground to hammer home 6 goals and regain the ascendency. The lack of scoreboard pressure in the 1/4 had come back to haunt the Fields as they watched the game slipping away. The difference between the two teams in this quarter was not necessarily the commitment to the contest; OEG just used the home ground advantage to maximum effect and were kicking goals from long range. The scoreboard did not flatter the Fields but nor did it flatter OEG. It was going to be a big ask but a win from this position was not entirely out of the equation. All that was required was to use the wind to our advantage and get back on an even keel with OEG.
This quarter was going to be the most telling. We would win the game or lose the game in the 3rd, so it was time to roll the dice and take some calculated risks. A scintillating run by the energetic Spittal set up the next goal, which was slotted through by the PM. The Fields managed to stem the goal bleed much to the credit of the backline, however, we only managed to kick 1 goal to OEG’s 2. The 201 game ace, Bow Wow, led from the front once again and was determined to set the tone for the rest of the lads to follow. Matching it with OEG was not going to get the bacon; we needed to trump them by a minimum of 4 goals. This didn’t eventuate. The story of the season to date, one quarter of irreparable scoreboard damage would see the Fields fighting an uphill battle. A win was unlikely, but it was important to run the game out and give a full account of ourselves.
If we were to overhaul this 7 goal deficit the opening five minutes of this final quarter, major inroads would have to be made. This important part of the game was once again hit with everything the Fields had. Ryan Chapple was menacing, looking for someone to steamroll. A very questionable holding the ball decision sent the rampaging Ryno into a state of utter disbelief and contempt for the umpire (note: this was not our man Scotty ‘Bill’ Williams). With a depleted bench OEG sensed the steam was running out of the reserves and kicked 3goals that killed off any chance of a miracle victory. The score line was blown out by 4 junk time goals. A disappointing 14 goal loss was dealt to the Fields.
With the low score of 22 points and the 14 goal loss some may argue that this was very much a one sided affair. These people have a fair point. However, the Fields made a contest of the game and in patches showed some very good footy. It seems that against the top line teams the reserves seem to show glimpses of brilliance and give credence to Coach Lawson’s belief that on any given day, when we are up and running, we are a very good football team. In the end the one and only factor that separated the two teams was scoreboard pressure. This has seemed to be the achilles heel of the reserves all year. Majority of games have seen our hard work and effort go unrewarded through the inability to put a decent score on the board.
OEG was the last hurdle we had to face for the year. Beaumaris and OM’s are not hurdles, merely just tiny speed bumps. We are evenly matched with both teams and with previous losses to both of them this season, they should not be under estimated. We need to transfer the momentum from the Old Carey game into the final two rounds. We need all hands on deck, a full team to pick from and remember that we have something to play for – not finishing with a wooden spoon.
Michael Murphy.
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