A history making games milestone and a big win headline our match reports! If you weren’t on any spontaneous walks in the park on Saturday, you can catch up on all the action here!
Women’s Seniors
UHS-W 0.4.4 – Ivanhoe 7.2.44
Written by Tara Corcoran
The sky was clear, the ground was muddy and spirits were high as the UHS Premier C side cheered their captain Abbey Mills onto the field for her 50th game in the green and tan.
The celebrations hit pause as Ivanhoe came out for revenge from their previous loss to UHS at home in Round 3. Ivanhoe moved the ball quickly and the fast pace kept the pressure on defence as their goal kicking accuracy hurt UHS early.
UHS had a couple of look-ins in their forward 50 but Ivanhoe’s defensive pressure kept the scores to behinds.
The umpire searched for his whistle as the contest was gritty and rough through all four quarters. Brave efforts were on display by UHS midfielders, including the woman-of-the-hour Abbey, and Greta proved formidable in defence, helping to keep Ivanhoe scoreless in the second quarter. Another notable performance was on display by ‘Crabby’ for her debut in the Senior’s side.
Unfortunately, Ivanhoe’s confidence never faltered and they came out strong in the third quarter, scoring four goals and one behind to just one point for UHS. Emily Jane Johnson proved a stand-out for Ivanhoe, adding four goals to her season’s tally.
While it wasn’t the result UHS wanted to celebrate Abbey’s milestone game, Daz had these heartfelt words to describe his captain: “always leads by example”.
Congratulations on 50 games Abbey – here’s to 50 more 🍾
Men’s Seniors
UHS-VU 14.21.105 – Preston Bullants 14.8.92
Goal Kickers: Patrick Brookes 3, Todd Cracknell 3, Matthew DiMattina 2, Fraser Campbell 2, Esubalew Ramsay, James. Gilfillan, James. McGee, Noah Seiderman
Written by Gerard Hawkins
Anfield. Stamford Bridge. Camp Nou. The MCG. Brens Oval – The names of grounds that fell victim to the restrictions on crowd numbers. When you entered Brens Oval on Saturday you could sense something felt a little different. A rematch of old rivals that had only just played against each other in the previous round. Despite UHS beating them in round seven, the players sensed a tough battle as they prepared for Payney’s pre-game address.
From the opening bounce, it was clear the rough, brutal football that had plagued UHS and Preston’s prior battles was going to dominant theme throughout the game. Preston opened the affair with an impressive out the back goal to the frustration of UHS’s defensive six. UHS quickly replied with a long bomb from Patrick Brookes. Around the ball, Ezza and Ben Dimma provided persistent tacking pressure on Preston’s formidable midfield. The repeated entries from Will and James Healey were not able to penetrate Preston’s defence. Lachie crashed the contests with his trademark fist. With a quick succession of goals to Preston late in the first term, it was apparent it would require an uplift in defensive prowess and attack on the football to beat this Preston team.
The second quarter started in a similar fashion to the first, with an easy clearance from Preston’s midfield resulting in a goal. Todd and Myles tried to inspire the troops with their attack on the football, but it was not enough against the fast-moving Preston with the goal-scoring advancing. As Preston slotted the ball through the big sticks, UHS struggled with their goal kicking, allowing the margin to bleed. A free kick in the second quarter to Patrick provided a sense of hope to UHS’s chances. Spencer cleared the path on the outside, applying his motto of “win at all costs’ to his opponent’s bodies. The quarter felt like an eternity with the unrelenting stoppages. A late goal to Speck provided a small reward for the enduring battle. At the break, UHS could feel that their rigorous running program in the snap-lockdown would help them run Preston off their legs.
The premiership quarter started in typical UHS fashion, the barometer was lifted through the likes of Crispy, James Dimma and Michael, with support from Noah and Kaidin. Fraser provided a luxury service of direct taps down to the midfield to the likes of James Gil. Ethan impressed with his tackling, foot skills and speed. Ayui dominated in the air with his high-flying marking. Fraser finally entered the goal-kicking sheet with a textbook snap. Suddenly, the tables felt like they had slightly shifted in UHS’s favour. The sharp-shooting Patrick provided the fans at home a reason to leave their seats with a classy finish late in the quarter. Into the final break it was UHS down by nine and with Preston in their sights.
The final quarter started on the backfoot with a goal to Preston. It did not stop UHS’s exuberance, a flurry of goals left Preston’s defence in tatters, unable to cast on eye on the most dangerous adversary with all the forwards presenting as dangerous options. The continual flow of points did keep the coach’s box packed with nerves. A stoppage goal from the captain, Ezza, applied pressure to Preston’s remaining lead. As the blinding sunlight fell away into the darkness, the vultures feasted on their prey. Matt Dimma kicked a momentous running goal that settled the nervous coach’s box. Fortunately, UHS’s grit and determination pulled through to deliver a terrific victory against their archrivals.
UHS’s second win in a row provided the momentum that they needed to tackle the remaining eight games. A celebratory song was sung, with a few extra decibels reached to acknowledge the important work Tim Habel has done across in his role as chief board coordinator.
Women’s Reserves
UHS-W 4.3.27 – Ivanhoe 9.12.66
Goal Kickers: Lucy-Sue Beukers, Camille Devereux, Katherine Richardson, Madeline Hince
Written by Emma Bagg
On a typically chilly Melbourne Saturday morning the reserves set out onto the muddy fields of Ivanhoe with a spring in their step and almost instantly soaking wet boots. The conditions looked slightly harsh for the team’s latest debutants Molly and Maya, but the clouds soon cleared and so did the footy when Molly won the first ruck tap of the game.
The match descended pretty quickly into stoppage-based play and despite the dogged persistence of our midfielders – special shout out to debutant Maya, captain Bella and tenacious on-baller Lucy – the Ivies were too quick for us over the back and managed to pull ahead early and maintain their lead throughout the first half.
After an orange-based reset at half time we were ready for the premiership quarter: some quick goals by Richo, Lucy and Maddy brought us right back into contention with both the breeze and the momentum. Props for getting it to the forwards go to Amelia, Niamh and Kat.
Alas, a football game has four quarters and we weren’t able to run it through this week despite an early fourth quarter goal from Camille. Final shout out goes to Rach who woke up at the crack of dawn to make it down from Shepparton and then stood tall in defence with a comprehensive win in her match-up at full back.
Men’s Reserves
UHS-VU 7.5.47 – Preston Bullants 8.13.61
Goal Kickers: M. Mallia 3, D. Wall 2, J. Lowe, N. Grapsas
Written by Damien Nelson
It was the rematch that VAFA fans had been waiting for. After a hiatus due to the most recent lockdown, the Reserves were keen to get back on the home deck at Brens Oval to face their old foes, the Preston Bullants. The previous four weeks had done nothing to temper the group’s attitude towards the boys from Preston, and it can be confirmed that “we still hate those dogs”.
The game got off to a grinding start, with both sides fighting hard to get the ball out of a boggy centre. Harry Hilliar was a dominant figure in the ruck, pushing the ball forward at every opportunity, with Aidan Cancian and Jackson Lowe at his feet ready to mop up any lose balls. A decisive goal from Darcy Wall (a trend which would see him earn a well-deserved best on ground) saw UHS finish the quarter on 1.1-7 to Preston’s 2.4-16.
With the cobwebs well and truly blown out, UHS came into the second term with unmatched tenacity. Darcy Morton’s speed on the wing was unsurpassed, dancing around Preston players and delivering the ball into a hungry Uni forward line. Taylor Johnstone led from the front, providing ample scoring opportunities. While Matt Mallia was a strong target (for both UHS and Preston), kicking an important goal from an intercept mark and proving himself as a key forward. These efforts saw UHS head into the rooms with a score of 4.2-26 to 4.8-32.
After a characteristically inspirational rev up from skipper Jacob Best, the boys were on the hunt for a few quick snags. However, the premiership quarter is named as such for a reason, and Preston proved difficult to get on top of. Under siege the entire quarter, Uni’s backline held strong. The muddy slog saw valiant efforts from Jack Walter, Jamie Stackpole, and Tim Rocke (collectively known as the Great Wall of Brens) as they repeatedly repelled the visitor’s attacks. Heading into the final term, the scores were 4.4-28 to 6.10-46 Preston’s way.
Unfazed by the previous quarter, the Vultures came out with their heads up and looking to prove themselves. Jacob Best was dazzling through the middle, leading by example and providing the energy that the Reserves needed. This final effort saw brilliant performances from the likes of Connor McCutcheon, Reis Korpetutuncu, and Nicholas Grapsas, who were unyielding throughout the day. Both sides were desperate, tackling hard and applying extreme pressure to get an edge. Unfortunately for UHS, despite winning the quarter, it wasn’t enough to win the match. The final scores were 7.5-47 to 8.13-61.
Although they didn’t come away with the win, the boys were more than happy to get out on the turf again with their mates. Footy’s back, let’s hope it stays.
Thirds
UHS-VU 4.5.29 – Glen Eira 8.10.58
Goal Kickers: Jack Cumberlidge, St John Seeger-Snowden, Craig Mawdsley, Mitchell Welsh
Editors Report
Playing against a team that had previous beaten them by 71 points the Thirds showed great fight to be in this game right until the end. In front at half time and only down by 2 points at three quarter time the game was set for a big upset! Unfortunately Glen Eira were able to edge ahead in last but it did not dampen the strong performances of Rajiv Gya, Andrew Fortune and Brenton Cross. Plenty of positives to take into this week for the Thirds who will be away at Hampton.