CAULFIELD GRAMMARIANS 16.11. 107 def by OLD ESSENDON 25.19. 169

Goal Kickers: A.Slevison 9, M.Sundberg 2, B.Carboni, R.Foote, S.Widjaja, G.Winter, T.Sundberg

Best Players: A.Slevison, J.Stewart, B.Carboni, B.Hyland, T.Noblett, C.Royle 

Following the success of round 8 we met top, undefeated, old adversaries, Old Essendon on our home territory and in fine conditions. It was good to have Cody Royle and Chris May back in the line-up but we would miss Strainy particularly, now facing shoulder surgery.

It was ‘ping pong’ footy early with the ball being raced from end to end with shots for goal astray at both ends. Darcy Daly was prominent across half back and the back six generally were standing up well. Essendon kicked the first after we fumbled up forward and watched our opponents quickly take advantage. It was Sam Wood to Chris Game to Andrew Slevison for our first although Essendon were bombarding the goals and were generally in charge around the clearances. Jordan Stewart was cool and gaining plenty of ball and after Essendon kicked another, Matt Sundberg roved the pack and answered with a timely major. Essendon were inaccurate in front of goal before 2 quick goals gave them the first clear break in the term, one of these coming from a centre square infringement against us. All of a sudden Essendon were in control and kicked the next three in a row before Ben Carboni sent the ball forward and Matt Sundberg’s centering kick was picked up by Slevo for his second. Quarter time we were down 3.3 to 7.7.

We started the second term well but could not make the most of our opportunities. Carbs, Ben Hyland and Andy Lawson combined well but we missed another set shot up forward. Essendon rallied and kicked the first of the quarter. When Chris Hammond found Andy Sinclair who hand passed to Carbs, Slevo finished it off with his third and Essendon had suffered two hamstring injuries to limit their interchange options. Richard Foote also centered and again Slevo made the most of the opportunity and was on fire and we were only 2 points down. Cody Royle was using his experience was reading the play well and Essendon kept missing shots before eventually converting. It was Carbs again through the mid-field and a combination of skipper Wij, Shaun Meredith, Benny Evans enabled Slevo to again put one through at the 26 minute mark. Unfortunately Essendon marked too easily up forward and kicked two goals before the half time siren to establish a handy but far from unassailable lead, 8.11 to our 7.6.

With every hope of again challenging the leading team, we entered the fray confidently in the third term. It was fast and furious but Essendon settled first and had three goals and a clear advantage in skill level in the first 10 minutes. We were also in trouble at the centre contests and as a result Essendon started to take total control with three more goals before Evo and Hammo combined and Wij converted for our first for the quarter. Our backline had been re-jigged after losing the experienced Mark Pennycuick and Essendon’s bigger bodies were taking their toll. Benny Hyland had been giving it his all and was in it again to allow Hammo to find Slevo for his sixth goal. Cody and Maysie were working hard across half back to stem the flow and when Andy Sinclair marked and switched to Gav Winter, Gav found our inspiring spearhead who kicked his 7^th goal in a great personal effort. All of a sudden we were again with 4 goals but late in the quarter Essendon’s highly skilled small men handballed their way through the traffic for two more goals and a 37 point lead at the final break.

We had some chances early in the last quarter to make up some ground but failed to capitalise and also failed to heed Cat’s instruction to take chances and run. After two goals to Essendon, Slevo again produced the goods on the end of a Cody led attack. We were sadly undermanned down back and the big Essendon forwards were not getting any smaller and six unanswered goals made it a real blow out. Nobby continued to ruck his heart out but the taps he did get were being ‘sharked’ by the Essendon on-ballers. When nothing was happening at all for us, Matty Sundberg took a juggling mark and converted. Hylo and Jordy were working hard down back to steady a little in the latter part of the term. When Nobby created a spill, Gamey made the most of it with handball to Gav  Winter for a long running goal. Shortly after Maysie found Slevo who converted for the ninth time, an outstanding individual effort. Carbs took a fantastic mark for his first goal and we were still running on. Tommy Sundberg also majored following on from a couple of late Essendon goals with the final score 25.19 to 16.11. Far from disgraced but disappointed that we had failed to keep the gap as narrow as possible.

Some tough games coming up but with the capability to rise to the challenge.