R16: Seniors lost by 27, Reserves won by 76

8th August 2009

Seniors

 

For the first time in almost a month the Old Mentonians were back playing at home, taking on the top side Rupertswood who had suffered their first loss for the year the previous week. Despite a much improved effort compared to the previous week, the Panthers went down to the ladder leaders but were far from disgraced. The result leaves the Old Mentonians two games and percentage out of the top four with two rounds to go.

 

The Old Mentonians started sluggishly and allowed Rupertswood to take an early lead. Handballs missed targets causing turnovers which gave the visitors opportunities to score. With 12 scoring shots to 4 at quarter time, a similar number to the previous week, the Panthers might have been lucky to only be trailing by 23 points at quarter time.

 

With a call for the pressure to lift at quarter time, the two teams went goal for goal in the early part of the second quarter. Brett Felsenthal marked and goaled and a long kick from Nathan Robinson ended in a mark and goal to David Teasdale. Rupertswood got the next two goals but the Old Mentonians then matched them for the rest of the quarter. A courageous attack on the ball from Matthew Wilton resulted in a goal to Nick Fisher and forward pressure produced a goal for Anthony Palmer. The Panthers trailed by 33 points at half time but had worked their way into the game.

 

The Old Mentonians’ season was possibly on the line in the third quarter and the efforts of the team demonstrated that. Despite Rupertswood kicking three of the first four goals of the quarter, the Panthers’ desperation was showing. Chris Graham marked strongly and goaled before more forward pressure resulted in goals to Matthew Wilton and Sam Hecker. Chris Graham kicked two more for the quarter but these were matched by the visitors as the margin was still 33 points at three quarter time.

 

The intensity of the Old Mentonians was again up in the final quarter but again Rupertswood managed to kick three of the first four goals. The Panthers did not stop trying though and might have reduced the margin more quickly but for some missed chances. The Old Mentonians did fight the game right out with the last three goals but a slight lack of polish compared to their opponents meant the result did not go their way.

 

While it is now unlikely that the Old Mentonians will make the finals in the Seniors, it is still a mathematical possibility and there is pride to play for. The Panthers take on the second placed side Werribee away next week before finishing the season at home against North Old Boys.

 

OMFC:                        2.2            6.6            11.8            15.12            (102)

 

Rupertswood:            5.7            11.9            16.11            19.15            (129)

 

Best:  Graham, Felsenthal, Kay, Fairbanks, Hecker, Speers, D. Alexander

 

Goals:  Graham 4, Eaton 2, Palmer 2, Robinson, Teasdale, Speers, Wilton, Fisher, Hecker, Felsenthal

 

 

 

Reserves

Knowing a win was required to keep their finals hopes alive, the Old Mentonians faced top side Rupertswood with plenty of determination. The mood was positive before the game as everyone seemed to appreciate the importance of the game.

 

The first quarter was a display of football that was possibly the best from this team in three years. With plenty of run, the Panthers played on at every opportunity, leaving their opponents trailing. The two Kyles, Tickell and Goulding, dominated the ruck and Russ Goulding and Cam Duncan were the leaders in providing the run. The quarter produced nine goals for the Old Mentonians as they burst to a 49 point lead.

 

Rupertswood challenged in the second quarter kicking four unanswered goals as they tried to work their way back into the contest. The Panthers steadied though to kick the last two goals of the quarter to have a comfortable half time lead.

 

The second half was more of the same for the Old Mentonians as they continued to play on when attacking but at the same time applying defensive pressure when they didn’t have the ball. The Panthers now face a crunch game against Werribee with victory required to hold onto fourth spot.

 

OMFC:                        9.4            11.9            16.12            20.17            (137)

 

Rupertswood:            1.3            5.4            6.8            8.13            (61)

 

Best:  Tickell, Stevens, Duncan, Parker, R. Goulding, Bournon

 

Goals:  Bournon 8, K. Goulding 4, Tickell 3, Duncan, Stevens, R. Goulding, Jenkins, Bardoel