An amazing come from behind win by our Thirds was the major highlight of Round 4, read all about it here!
Thirds
UHS-VU 8.7.55 – Canterbury 7.10.52
Goal Kickers: David Fazakerley 3, Mitchell Welsh 2, Rayan Hajj, James Duggan, St John Seeger-Snowden
Written by Spencer Gigacz
Following three straight losses, the Zookeepers were looking to find their first win of the season when they played host to Canterbury on a sunny morning last Saturday. With several UHS veterans returning to the fold, a new-look Thirds side started strongly with Sinny bagging the first goal of the match in the opening minute. However, it soon became apparent that a tight contest was on the cards as Canterbury steadied to lead by 10 points at the first break. Despite a gritty Zookeeper performance in the second term, which included a goal to first-gamer Mitchell and dazzling work by the Zookeeper on-ball brigade, Canterbury held firm and went on to lead by 13 at the half.
With the third quarter came the wind in Canterbury’s favour and despite a strong aerial performance by the Zookeeper defenders, led by the brilliant Minho – who clunked marks all day – they took full advantage, putting through 3 goals to lead by 26 points at the final change. The deficit seemed like it might have been too much for the home team however, team leader Ant delivered a rousing and timely three quarter-time speech and the Zookeepers knew if they lifted their effort that their tiring opponents might just be overrun.
Having only kicked five goals for the season across the first three games, five goals in a quarter was always going to be a tough ask for the Zookeepers. Nevertheless, with key talls Mitchell and Faz snagging early majors, the Zookeepers trimmed the margin to under three goals with approximately 10 minutes remaining. It was at this moment that club mastermind Tony Boyce decided to send the spectating Rocke family behind the goals to ensure the swift return of the footy to the centre after goals – a move that would save several precious seconds.
With Canterbury tiring, Faz booted his third of the match. Suddenly the margin had been trimmed to just three points with only minutes remaining. The pressure was palpable for players on both teams as the ball pinged around the middle of the ground – each side desperate for their first taste of victory. As the ball spilled out from a holding-the-ball free on the far wing, Ant scooped up the ball and took off. Not knowing which way the free-kick had been paid, but determined to take this last chance he booted a long kick inside 50. Returning club favourite Rayan leapt for the mark – opponents closing in – and took a powerful grab just inside 50.
Seconds later the final siren blew.
Canterbury mouthguards were hurtled to the ground in disgust, but the match wasn’t over yet… With a slight breeze at his back, Rayan gave the ball an almighty roost. It soared through the goals, leading to rapturous celebrations from Zookeepers players and fans alike, who sprinted in to swamp the hero of the day, victorious at last.
It was a win the players will never forget.
Women’s Seniors
UHS-W 1.3.9 – Aquinas 13.7.85
Goal Kickers: Marlo Zambelli
Written by Anastasia Gilchrist
There were a lot of nerves heading into our round four match against top of the ladder team Aquinas. Multiple injuries meant our interchange was looking a little thin (non-existent). But in true UHS spirit, multiple players stood up and played in both the reserves and seniors games. Special mention to Emily Balaburov, Rachael Anderson, Erin Giblin, Belinda Chisholm, and Tahlia Barry. Why play just the four quarters when you can play eight?
The sun didn’t let up the entire game and neither did Aquinas. The first quarter started with a few quick goals by our opposition but multiple key saves by our defenders kept Aquinas at 14 points.
The admirable efforts of our defenders and midfielders, the likes of Katie Webb and Eliza Terry, continued for the rest of the game. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to withstand Aquinas.
We left the best for the end and worked well as a team to keep both the ball within our forward 50 and Aquinas scoreless in quarter four. A free kick in the goal square, saw Marlo Zambelli snap our first goal of the game.
It was a learning experience for the whole team, with a lot of takeaways for our game next week. In the words of Kelly Clarkson, “What doesn’t kill you, make you stronger.”
Men’s Seniors
UHS-VU 4.12.36 – Old Geelong 15.11.101
Goal Kickers: Todd Cracknell 2, Fraser Campbell 2
Editors report
In the Senior Men’s game, it was a traditional Northerly blowing to the city end at Brens Oval. South Yarra’s Old Geelong won the toss and quickly took advantage of the strong wind kicking 6 goals to 0 in the first quarter which defined the rest of the game.
With the wind at their back in the 2nd quarter UHS looked to respond, but were held at arms length by the experienced Old Geelong side. UHS looked to move the ball up the ground through the precision passing and strong marking of Gerard Hawkins, Fergus O’Neill, Todd Cracknell and James McGee but were frustratingly thwarted by Old South Yarra’s well set up defence.
Some 3rd quarter magnet moves saw young gun Will Thompson moved into the midfield and he cracked in hard to try and stem the Yarra’s tide. Despite the best efforts of our other young stars Ayui Makieng, Matt Dimattina and Fraser Campbell, as well as strong contested marking from Myles Legudi OG’s lead continued to extend throughout the day. A 50 metre penalty saw Silk Campbell get the opportunity for his for goal for the seniors and he took it gratefully.
A renewed effort in the last quarter saw Cracknell and Campbell both kick last quarter goals as UHS continued to run out the day exerting pressure and intensity.
More to build on for UHS with positives and the beginnings of future stars outweighing the negatives on the day.
Women’s Reserves
UHS-W 0.0.0 – Aquinas 8.20.68
Editors report
A tough day out at Ringwood saw a depleted Women’s Reserves side go down to Aquinas on Saturday.
Despite a brave effort across the ground the side was unable to register a score. The team will look to rebound using the lessons learned from this at our next game at home vs Richmond Central.
Men’s Reserves
UHS-VU 3.3.21 – Old Geelong 29.15.189
Goal Kickers: Harry Hilliar, Kaiden Jackson, Roy Girvan
Written by Harry Hilliar
On a warm and sunny day the Reserves fell victim to an Old Geelong ambush that sources compared to Quintillus Varus’ lost legions at the battle of Teutoburg Forest. Fortunately, unlike poor old Varus, there will be another opportunity next week for the 2s to sieze their second win of the season against Mazenod. I’m sure Emperor Augustus will be smiling in his grave.
In a loss already being described by this forward looking club as ancient history, Old Geelong jumped the 2s early piling on 61 points in the first quarter, with highly polished clearances from the centre bounce linking to an unerringly accurate forward line – also ably assisted by a mid-strength southerly breeze.
The 2s fought back in the second quarter with the wind now at their backs, but it became clear quite quickly that they would be playing for pride rather than the win. Old Geelong, to their credit, exhibited some very clean skills and communication which contributed to continued scoring throughout the game.
The second half went much the same as the first, with Old Geelong proving simply too fast and too good for the 2s, who by the final siren were significantly depleted with yet more injuries.
The Reserves had a number of late changes and debutantes to their victorious side of the foregoing week, however courageous performances abounded in a day where they did not trouble the scorers beyond three goals.
Lockie Allen stood tall as a formidable figure at the contest. Damian Nelson produced a well deserved best on ground performance, on-ball for the full day with no shortage of possessions. Kaidin Jackson showed his flexibility with a strong performance in the forward line. Jack Walter was electric with the footy in space, giving Old Geelong plenty to think about with incisive runs.
Skipper Jacob Best led from the front and lifted heavy for the entire game, providing much needed effort and encouragement to a football side under siege for four quarters. The men may have come up short on points, but there was no shortage of talent and endeavour on the day.
Spirits remained high after the game as the Reserves got around each other at the post-game function in the clubhouse, with lasting bonds formed in beers and blood that are sure to manifest in a much improved performance next week.