SENIORS 

Yessssss! Finally, a pleasant morning to wake up to. The weather God’s had taken away that awful wind that seemed to be following us like a bad smell. If we were not already excited at the prospect of playing in calm conditions, we certainly were in being matched against our old friends at Hawthorn. Regardless of ladder positions, they are always great games, played with the upmost intensity and passion. It is the Carlton V Collingwood of D3 Football.

 

We welcomed back some class this week. Josh “bums on seats” Ercoli was back after a spell, Jaye after a holiday in New Zealand, the rough shaven Irishman Brian Kyne after a hand injury (what else can go wrong), Wes “DJ Wold” Old after a few weeks away, and for his first Senior game for the club, Chocko. Please, do not get me to spell his full name. There are not enough keys on the keyboard. Let me just tell you it is a 4 Syllable Greek name. Enough said.

 

The House were fired up. It was an excellent preparation, although the wind had picked up ever so slightly (so much for the pleasant morning), and there were a few drops of rain. But the focus was entirely on the Brown and Gold of the Hawks, and to put in a solid 1st QTR. It was the Hawks that got off to a flier while the ball was a bit slippery, and slammed home 2 goals in no time. But as the game warmed up a bit, so too did the House. Matthew Taylor was absolutely superb at Centre Half Back, looking a natural in that role. I reckon the Hawthorn Brains trust were pulling out their hair about how Tayles was controlling the game. He was certainly instrumental in the House gaining some composure, and we managed the next 3 goals against the tide. Although the Hawks got back on their skates and scored the last 2 goals for the term, the House had certainly made their intentions felt, with some clean ball movement, and fierce attack on the ball.

 

The Hawks threatened to pull away in the 2nd term, but Powerhouse were there to play. Tayles was at it again with some fantastic football, and Ed Woods was a handful at full forward along with Richie Benson. Jaye was also handy, making some telling leeds up the flanks, providing a great target. Petey Pete Henshaw continued to blossom in just his second senior game, providing great voice and instruction with his accountable football. Ace had managed to break the shackles from the previous week and get free from his man, slotting a major and getting plenty of footy through the centre of the ground. Overall, one of the better quarters of football from Powerhouse for season 2009, which was sparked by a good move to put Tayles at Half Back, which allowed our backmen to play with freedom and hit targets up the field.

 

What a position to be in. We had played some great footy, and the Hawks were starting to ask some questions. The 3rdst senior game was giving us much needed speed in the forward half, which was evident in the tackle count with the forwards having the most for the match. A late goal to the Hawks had flattered them a bit, as it was the House that were controlling the game. Unfortunately for the House, Tayles and Foz had both sustained injuries during the term, and left the side a bit vulnerable in personnel. term was make or break, and Powerhouse were not about to give in. The boys started where they had left off. There was some great team work, and the back 6 were back to their best led by Reecey who looks a million bucks at the minute, and Sos providing great drive. Old Mate Boland had his hands full with the Skunk Lauletta, and as the game went on, the Old Boy was getting on top of this contest, it what will be the last battle between these 2 great players. Alan Foster was leading from the front, and Michael Lynch was giving their coach Murray one helluva time. Lynchy does get under their skin, and it is great to see. Chocko in his 1

 

The game was there for the taking, but it was the Hawks who had the legs. They seemed to find another gear, and the House were chasing opponents for much of the last. Powerhouse did not give in and battled manfully. Bull worked tirelessly as a lone ruckmen, as Wes was used down back to man up on Collins when he went forward. Storma did a superb job on Ogge, taking the points in this contest. Storma went in to the match injured, and managed to play out of his skin. Jake, Bakes, Bahry and Chooka worked hard in the midfield, but the Hawks had too many numbers in the last, and ran out winners on the day.

 

Football is a funny game. We had been so poor in recent weeks, and run out today a different outfit, one that was determined to work hard for eachother. However, we hit a Hawthorn side that is definitely not a bottom of the ladder team, and on their home deck, are a very good team in their own right. I have never witnessed such a dejected team after the game. It really hurt a lot as we had given them our all. But there is always next week to redeem yourself in football, that is why it is such a great game.

 

Let’s stick together and finish off the year with aggression, unity and spirit!

 

In the words of Harry South…Go House!

 

RESERVES

Wardie had what you might call a welcome selection headache this week, which is only going to get tougher as lads return from injury. Back into the side this week came Pav, Matt Treeby and James Riley from injury and good to see Jimmy Callahan return from the long term injury list. Aaron Miller also returned from a bout of flu to play in front of the folks over from New Zealand. Big 'Rhino' was a welcome inclusion in the ruck, back down from the senior side. This was balanced by a few outs, most notably Andy Boughan, who had injured his ribs the week before.

 

A fresh cross field wind on the short but wide Rathmines Oval favoured neither side as the umpire balled it up for the 1st time. From the start it was evident that it was going to be a long hard slog on a ground with little space and 2 teams determined to gain the physical advantage over their opponent. Russ McCumber was doing fine work in the middle for the house, with Marty getting on the end of good service to kick the 1st few goals. Scratcher was also having a positive influence on the game with many possies and good distribution. Hawthorn worked their way back into it as the quarter wore on though with some good hits to their tall forwards to leave 2 points in it at the first break.

 

The home side started better in the 2nd quarter and had Powerhouse under extreme pressure for the 1st 10 mins. An uncharacteristic missed target by Scratcher gifted the hosts their first goal of the term. Even with a cross field wind, the side attacking to the home sheds appeared to have a slight advantage. Russ and Moz began to exert more influence as the quarter wore on, aided by some typically effect defending by Dave Maloney and great running by 'T-bone' off the half back line. Marty managed to grab some marks into the 'bread basket' in typical Leahy fashion to keep the scoreboard ticking over for the boys. Hawthorn snagged another late in the quarter to again leave nothing in it at the break, the 'House with it's nose in front by a few minor scores.

 

Warde was calm at half time, he knew the boys were only at 70% and asked for a huge lift in another 'premiership' quarter. He asked for a huge lift from Ryan in the ruck to provide a platform for the onballers who were dominating. The team did lift in the 3rd, unlike the previous week, to wrestle the game their way. Birthday boy Jados Captain Luigi ran tirelessly all day with Chris Plazzer going in for the hard ball gets and more often than not winning them. Jados was rewarded with goal of the day on the run from the centre. Paddy Arnold was also beginning to torment the opposition and kicked his major midway through the term. Marty continued to torment the opposition and when he controlled on the volley, spun around and kicked round the corner Gaelic style, the 'House could sniff a win. At the siren, the boys had a 3 goal plus change lead to protect in the final term.

 

Warde again asked for a lift at the final break, knowing that Hawthorn would throw the kitchen sink at his troops in the final quarter. As the rain began to fall in Hawthorn though, the conditions suited the side protecting the lead. The tackling was fierce, with Jimmy Callahan on the end of an elbow and having to come off. The home side managed a goal midway through the term to sow the seeds of doubt in Powerhouse's mind. That was before a dogged Johnny Brennan put the head down inside 50, ignored 4 handball targets, evaded the would-be tacklers and booted it between the big sticks. Seconds later, he was seeing stars at he turned into trouble and was cleaned up in the middle. But JB-hifi had all but sealed the win as the clock wound down and he came off seething, with claret trickling from his nose. 'House locked it up after this, McCumber continuing to give the stats man headaches, and held out for a gutsy win when not at it's best.

 

Finals footy beckons now for the boys, and with games against the top 2 in the coming weeks, we should get a good idea where the team is at come Sept. Plenty to work on in the coming weeks, and with lads already missing out on selection, plenty of incentive for everyone to get to training on Tuesday & Thursday and train well. Go 'House.

 

                       Q1    Q2     Q3     Q4

Hawthorn          3.3    5.7    8.9    9.10  (guessing!)

Powerhouse      2.5    4.9    5.10   6.12