Kicking against the strong wind, we bottled the ball up well in the opening minutes and a strong mark by Zac Parsons deep in defence immediately warranted his elevation from the U19’s. As a regular on-baller and goal kicker in the U19’s, Zac looked like relishing the close checking job in defence. A sudden surge forward by MHSOB obtained their first game at the 3 minute mark followed by some spirited defence and ball control by our boys for the following 5 to 6 minutes. Gradually working the ball forward and with Tom Sundberg in the thick of things, Darcy Daly and Strainy combined to find Tom who had cleverly followed up his hard work and he kicked a very valuable goal into the gale.

Tim Noblett was sharing the ruck with Nelly and applied plenty of pressure at ground level and Hammo’s crunching tackle on one of the opposition ball carriers set a standard for all to follow. The bust Chris May and Andy Slevison worked well together with Maysie short passing to Hammo for our second, highly valuable major at the 11 and a half minute mark. The next 4 or 5 minutes saw MHSOB regain some composure and two goals resulted for their effort. Nelly was strong in the air and Chris May working exceptionally hard up forward. When Hammo stormed through the centre Zac Parson found Slevo who kicked his first and we took the lead again despite the howling wind against us. MHSOB again answered but the move of Slevo to the back half of the ground seemed natural to him as he relieved on more than one occasion with great balance and surety of hands. Just before the quarter time break, after a bit more magic from Tom Sunny, our great skipper, Wij, combined and with great hands enabled Maysie to kick his first and our fourth. Quarter time 4.3 to 4.2 was an exceptional effort into the wind.

The first 4 minutes of the second quarter seemed to go so quick, especially as we could not find the goals and with some really good defence from our opponents, and some wayward, blazing away we were not taking advantage of the conditions. Finally, at the 10 minute mark, Woody sent one forward and Tom Sunny handballed smartly to enable Strainy to capitalise on his move up forward. Less than 2 minutes later, Slevo snapped a Darcy Daly pass and converted and perhaps we were ready to explode. Despite some strong attack on the ball by our guys, the experienced MHSOB players rallied and after 7 goalless minutes, we allowed MHSOB to goal and lessen the margin. In a brilliant display of roving to Zac Parsons entry to the forward line, Maysie exploded to kick our 7^th. Again, the opposition pushed the ball forward and goaled and it was some relief that greeted Phil Zarra’s goal at the 29 and a half minute mark after some typical “Fields’ forward pressure. At the main break. 8.5 to 6.4 was a valuable but slightly disappointing lead.

Cool heads prevailed during the half time break and the coach praised efforts but reminded the boys that we had plenty in our tank. Matt Sunny’s tackling went up a level and we held the opposition up for some valuable minutes before they scored their first goal courtesy of a clever snap from the boundary. Our on-ballers went into overdrive after a second goal was scored by MHSOB at the 11 minute mark and a further 6 minutes ensured before the visitors scored their ninth and took the lead. We had our chances up forward but could not manage to convert in the trying conditions and Slevo’s efforts on the wing showed great leadership, as 200 gamer, Mark Liddell, with his experience and control. The tenth opposition goal was obtained nearing the 20 minute mark and we desperately needed to hold MHSOB’s surge. With a superb effort from Matty Sundberg at half forward Wij swooped on the tap on and enabled Tommy Sundberg to kick a highly valuable goal against the flow into time on. Melbourne High led 10.6 to 9.7 and their second quarter, if repeated, would make our chances far more difficult.

It was both sides full bore in the opening minutes of the last and some frustration was showing but we knew our work rate would eventually be rewarded. Andy Lawson eventually drove the ball forward and Maysie slotted his third to get us up and running. Shortly after, Matt Sunny proved he can be extremely damaging up forward as he burst through the middle and drilled one from CHF. Some more great play from Slevo and Wij deserved better but failure to kick strongly through the ball, even with the strong breeze at you back, is an oft seen error. With everybody contributing, it became Breeny’s turn to excel after what had been a quiet day for him and he never looked like missing from the boundary line with a superb, lofted kick allowing the wind to do the work. Just when our two goal lead at the 10 minute mark looked to tie the game up for us, MHSOB scored against the flow to bring them back with a chance. Five minutes elapsed as we lost the momentum but not the desire and when Phil Zarra heeded the cry from the crowd to bomb it long from half back he obliged with a torp. Delly was now deciding to celebrate his 200^th and judged Zarr’s bomb superbly against two opponents, handed off to the running Jonesy who passed to Slev; result straight through the middle. A further delay in scoring ensured became Delly again marked with acute judgement, centred the ball for Hammo to convert at the 22 minute mark. All of a sudden we gained complete control and first Slevo goaled and excellent recovery from an Andy Laws entry and Hammo set up Strainy for a goal as we raced away on the scoreboard.

In a very fitting finale, Tom Spinks, Slevo and others created the now expected forward pressure and the kick to our goal square to a vintage Delly, hold his ground, out body his opponent and bang through out 17^th. Final score 17.11 to 11.7 – a great win and full of character against good opposition.

Goals – Slevison 4, Chris May 3, Tom Sundberg 2, Chris Hammond 2, Strain 2, Zarra, Matt Sundberg, Breen, and Liddell.

Best (in my humble opinion) and in no particular order – Chris May, Parsons, Liddell, Tom Sundberg, Matt Sundberg, Widjaja, Slevison, Nelson, Chris Hammond, Colosimo, Noblett and the rest pretty good.

Geoff Reilley