SENIORS

We travelled to Coops’ neck of the woods to tackle St Mary’s Salesian at Ferndale park. It was a nice day for Footy, about 18 degrees and overcast, with little to no wind about. Our task was to play a side that took the drop from D2, and sitting nicely after 3 rounds at 3rd on the table

For us, we were sitting 4th and coming off a good win against rivals Monash Gryphons. We had a changed line up this week with Wes out at the last minute, Coops taking the opportunity to coach from the sidelines, Storma out with a niggle, and Chook out with a broken chicken leg. In came Benny White with great form in the Ressies sweaping across half back, Richie Benson to make a welcome return to the Senior side, along with Owey and Wally to add some speed around the forward line.   

Our focus was to start well, and that we did not. St Mary’s commitment to the ball was second to none, and they attacked in waves, providing plenty of supply to their big full forward in Hill. Edo was working tirelessly to nullify the big man, but the supply was just too good. The House had some very good opportunities to apply some scoreboard pressure, but costly misses by Tayles did not reward the hard work in getting the ball down there against the flow of play. To be only 2 goals down at the change was not a true reflection of the game in which St Mary’s were more committed.  

Once again, the opposition started strong with 9 & 10 getting plenty of it, and 11 creating havoc as a small forward. 13 was also getting plenty of it on a wing. Powerhouse were hanging in by the skin of their teeth, and started to hit their straps, with some good work by ACE in the middle who gave us some good drive, giving Disco a chance to slot some well needed majors. Our pressure on the opposition was much better, and we were causing turnovers, allowing Bakes and Jake more room to run and give our forwards some chance. A couple of quick goals got us back in the game, but a late goal to St Mary’s on the stroke of half time stopped the momentum.    

The House were still in the game, but there was a lot of soul searching to do. We were as flat as a tack, and just didn’t have that spark that is required against decent opposition. We were desperate to wake up and play much more committed football.  

Unfortunately, it was St Mary’s kicking to the club house end that peppered the goals, and the back line was under siege. Edo was swung to full forward in a desperate attempt, but the House could not get the ball down there enough to give him a chance. Old mate did a great job in nullifying the dangerous 11, and Moresi (with one R and one S) was fantastic on their big full forward. He may have had a few kicked on him, but he did give away a bit of height, and the supply to him was too plentiful. Lucas also dug deep at half back, but there were too many yellow jumpers in the mid field bring the ball back just as quick. A quarter to forget for Powerhouse letting in 6 goals 5 behinds, and offering little the other way.  

Powerhouse needed to re-group very quickly, and at least salvage something from the game. Sos went into the middle with Jake and Bakes and we started to generate a bit of drive out of the guts. Wally and Richie Benson got on the end of their hard work and rewarded them with some good running goals. It was a much more determined Powerhouse in the last, but the damage was already done. St Mary’s ran out comfortable winners, leaving a wounded Powerhouse with plenty to think about.  

Powerhouse are a much better side than that, and need to make the commitment to play a much harder brand of TEAM FOOTBALL. We have the ability, now it is time to show it. We face the red hot Bentleigh away this weekend in what will be a big test of character. We have had a tough draw, but a win against the odds is not beyond us.    

RESERVES

Powerhouse Reserves suffered their first defeat of the 2009 season at the hands of a strong St Mary's Sals outfit. Ferndale Park was the venue and a first look at the ground indicated that it was going to be a tough physical encounter.  A short ground with limited space on the wings was always going to make things difficult for an open free flowing game of footy.  Apart from a few sporadic periods neither team overcame this difficulty and the hoards of supporters were served up a battle dominated by stoppages and ball ups.

With both sides eager to maintain their 100% start to the season there was no time to settle into this one.  The house defence was called into action early on and assisted by the midfield brigade handled the pressure well and forced the Saints into pressured kicks and a solitary behind.  Half way through the quarter though the home side managed to bag a few goals to get the all important scoreboard pressure advantage.  This has been an unfortunate trend for the reserves this year and the "slow starts" are talked about each week but yet to be rectified. 
The new look forward line for the house was working hard with Patty Arnold taking some impressive marks and was unlucky not to even things up on the scoreboard with his first few shots.  Scratcher was also working hard snagging the teams first goal (and unfortunatly the teams first red card!) while Jimmy Makan's presence at Centre Half forward ensured there was no easy way out of the defence from the home side.   The teams went into the quarter time huddle with St Marys leading 3-1 to 1-4.

The second quarter followed a similar pattern to the first with plenty of tough contested footy.  Russ Macumber was cleaning up possesion from the stoppages and Lynchy was ever present when the ball broke free.  Makan was making himself at home in his revised position of centre half back and his attack at the footy was encouraging.  Kyney was also working tirelessly on the wing and made some vital interctptions to curtail the progress of the home side. The teams retired at half time with the scoreboard reading 4-6 to 3-5 in favor of the home side. 

Powerhouse didn't make things any easier for themselves in the third quarter and with missing personnel such as Marty Leahy and Richard Benson only manage to get 1-3 on the board for the quarter. Lynchy was continuing to show his credentials as a senior player and was popping up all over the ground to get the sherrin moving in the right direction for his side.  Ryan was up against a tough opponent in the Ruck but wasn't willing to throw in the towel and contested every ball up.  Dave Maloney was working as hard as ever at full back making it almost impossible for the Saints number one target to get a possession.  At three quarter time the homeside had extended their lead by a goal, 6-7 to 4-8.

The boys knew that the game was still well within their sights and Warde reminded everyone of the teams never say die ethos.  This was evident right from the start of the final term.  Peter Henshaw was leading well in his first game and exchanged some goals with the St Marys boys early in the quarter.  Mr T (Gerry) was also contributing well and kicked his second goal for the club.  Kyney also snagged a goal with a fine around the corner effort which staged the comeback for the house.  Sam Watson exploded from the bench to grab another.  Moments later Lynchy who had the footy on a string all day scored a fine goal from the 50 meter arc.  That goal put the bare minimum between ths sides with only a few minutes left to play.  Unfortunatly it was the home side that gave the scoreboard attendant his next bit of work and the homeside eventually ran out 7 point winners. 

Final Score St Mary's Sals 9-10 (64) Powerhouse 8-9 (57)