18 degrees and sunny at the Ross Gregory, with the stock standard gentle breeze blowing towards the Lakeside Drive end. Absolute perfect conditions for football against one of our arch rivals in Monash Gryphons, led by old stalwarts in Wells, Leeton and Rutherford. After a disappointing road trip to Beaconsfield, the side was eager to set the processes, and put in a better performance.

Our 2 main goals for the day were to start well, and apply scoreboard pressure. We welcomed back Disco, Moz, Lucas and DJ Wold (Wes) to the line up. There was a great feeling amongst the group pre match, and we enjoyed a much shorter and sharper warm up to hopefully get us going. It was Monash, however, that started the better with some quick clearance out of the centre, allowing their on ballers and half forwards plenty of space to penetrate and put some shots on goal. Our defence remained steadfast and repelled each wave of attack that Monash could muster. After promising a good start, it looked like we could not keep our promise. But with some determination, the House started to put enormous pressure on the opposition and apply much needed scoreboard pressure with 5 goals. The midfield was getting first use of the ball, and providing many forward 50 entries which allowed Disco and Tayles to create some havoc down forward. The House did as planned, started well and put some goals on the board, providing for an 8 point lead at the first break. 

 

The message at QTR time was positive. We all knew our jobs, and it was up to us to keep up the pressure on the opposition. And that we did. The attack on the ball and the man was relentless. There was some ferocious tackling by the usual suspects Jakey and Sos, which allowed Chooka, Sladds, Lappo, Bakes and ACE plenty of room to run through the corridor and set up shots on goal. With much improved foot skills from last week and run from defence, Powerhouse were a much better team. Unfortunately, 12 shots on goal in this QTR could only provide 3 goals. A 23 point half time lead was not a true reflection on the House’s dominance and pressure on the oppostition, although a goal after the siren to Lee Wells added some respectability to the scoreboard for Monash, and gave them a glimmer of hope.

 

Going into the break, we knew that there was plenty left in the tank, and with some accurate shots on goal, we could break their spirits and set up a big win. There was an emphasis to start well, but Monash got the first, reducing the margin to 3 straight kicks. But that is where the resistance ended. Led by a determined and disciplined defence, Powerhouse piled on the pressure and banged home four goals to nothing. Edo was a pillar of strength at full back along with the Old Mate, Extreme Wilson was dominating off half back, and Nath Moressi was excellent, shutting down Wells and kicking 3 goals the other way. There was no weak link in the Premiership QTR. Nath Hunt was taking some good contested grabs along with Coops, and there seemed to be a good fluency about our play. We were rewarded with a 7 goal lead at 3 QTR time, and the 4 points were ours for the taking. An injury to Chooka was the only disappointment for the QTR, who up until then had been instrumental in putting pressure on Monash when they had the ball, and providing much needed run through the corridor. 

 

The House were determined not to stop there, and really put the foot on the throat, and secure a big win for once. In recent history, Powerhouse generally just do enough to get the points, but we are determined to break that habit, and start to bury sides. Our focus on the last was to keep up the pressure, and come away with a big win. 4 goals to none in the last was a perfect response. Burnside rucked tirelessly throughout the afternoon, ably assisted by DJ Wold, and Bakes continued to work hard through the centre of the ground, and rewarded himself with a couple of Captains goals. The defence held firm and only leaked 6 goals for the game. Wigzy and Lucas kept punching and bringing the ball to the ground, allowing Spider and Sos plenty of space to run the ball out and set up play. Jake was also instrumental to the win with a couple of goals when rested down forward. The big thing out of the win was that we really enjoyed our footy, and worked extremely hard for eachother. There is still a lot of work to do however, and we know that there is still much improvement in that performance. 

 

Two big weeks ahead with away games to St Mary’s Salesian and Bentleigh, who both took the drop from D2 in 2008. This provides us a great opportunity to test ourselves against two of the highly fancied sides of the competition both away from home. 

 

On another note, congratulations to Darren Cooper who played his 100th game for the club. This milestone was certainly motivation for a good performance, and we are pleased to have done that for Coops, who has provided 6 years of service to this great club, and within that time winning the 2003 B&F, and captaining the club to the 2006 D4 premiership in which he was awarded best afield.

 

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