It was a fine day at the Ross Gregory, nice and sunny, but with that zephyr of breeze that is always hanging around. Into the side we welcomed back Coops after a spell to rest those ageing limbs, Dave Moloney who is playing very solid football at full back, and Sam “Dogga” Watson, who after 5 weeks of debauchery in Europe, is playing great football and injects so much youth and exuberance into the senior side.

 

Today was a great challenge for the House, and it is always good to try and regain form against the best. The boys were pretty keen and fired up, and were determined to hit the ground running. St Mary’s started the better with some crisp ball movement to their big full forward, and slammed home the first 2 majors of the afternoon. But the House got in to the act and replied with a more committed period of football. The back 6 were once again playing in unison, led by Sos who was at everything, and the in form Reece Humphries who was leading all the attack. Quick changes were made and Lynchy was thrown on to their number 29 in Hill, who is a very good player. Lynchy was all over him, and he did a fantastic job in trying to nullify his influence. Although Hill was the main difference in the match, Lynchy can take much heart from his performance, and learn from the best on how to get the footy. The Saints managed to put on some scoreboard pressure, and command a handy lead at the break.

 

There were some stern words from Coops about our commitment, and we had to respond. The boys were more aggressive in the 2nd QTR, but could only manage 2 majors, compared to St Mary’s 6. Nothing seemed to go the way of the Home side. Edo was getting some very close attention, and could not buy a goal, but presented very well. Richie Benson continued his good form, and Jaye was very handy once again across half forward. The House were playing some good football, and were spotting the targets we had been missing, but the Saints were very clinical in their team play, which was the difference between the 2 sides.

 

At the break, the House were a fair bit behind, but there was not white flag anywhere to be seen. The 3rd term was more of an arm wrestle. Dogga Watson was absolutely superb down back, playing on a class act, and well and truly took the points, and Dave Moloney was playing inspired, tight football, not giving their full forward a sniff. Coops played a bit more across half back and was in some great form, and Storma “Barb” Driesen was creating havoc on the wing, giving us some good drive. Powerhouse made many forward 50 entries, but could not hurt them on the score board. Edo could not buy a free kick, and we could not reward the hard work. St Mary’s maintained their handy break, and certainly showed they are a finals bound side.

 

Powerhouse were not about to throw in the towel. Edo started to get the rub of the green, and the side were started to gel a bit more. Old Mate continued to try hard, Jake and Chook were in and under, and Bakes worked tirelessly in the midfield. Bull was an absolute workhorse, playing a majority of the game in the ruck, with Wes pitching in on occasions. Both sides kicked 3 goals apiece, but the damage had already been done, and the Saints deserved their victory. Although the scoreline shows a 55 point defeat, Powerhouse can be proud that they continued to work hard for eachother, even against quality opposition.

 

2 games to go now. This is where we batten down the hatches, and with all the guts and determination, fight to the very last siren. We need to support our reserves players as much as we can, as they look up to us, and if we are fighting, it will give them the imputes to have a successful finals campaign.

 

Go House!

 

RESERVES

Besides the significance of a top of the table clash, this was also a milestone game for the old warhorse Rocket Marshall, playing his 200th game for the club, stretching back to 1998. A great servant of the club, he has been very consistent as usual at the back for the reserves all year. He also doesn't moan as much these days, perhaps finally figuring out that nobody listens to him anyway. Congrats Rocket on a superb effort. 

 

The milestone was a key part of Warde's speech to a team again lining up with a number of changes and a few key losses in personnel. Sammy Watson and Dave Maloney were elevated, Russ McCumber was away, Micky V was a late withdrawal with a foot injury and Pav was also injured. Again it was up the boys that came in to step up to the plate after loosing these top class footballers and Macca, Fergal, Marshall Bull and JB were keen to impress. Big Andy Boughan was asked to do a job in the ruck in place of the 'big Rhino'.

 

Its a great achievement that the boys have been able to string 6 wins from 7 together with so many changes each week and a credit to everyone's efforts in training to see the hard work paying off. The team rules were emphasised by the warrior Warde in the rooms as was the effort Rocket puts in each week. The boys owed it to their teammate to bring home the chocolates on his great milestone. The theme of applying pressure through supreme effort had to be followed through on all day.

 

With a medium breeze heading towards the collegians end, Powerhouse attacked that end from the 1st bounce with an intensity that seemed to shellshock their opponents. Marty certainly had the physical advantage on their full-back and 2 fine inside 50s in the first 2 attacks gave Marty 2 shots and 2 goals. Marshall Bull and Moz were dominating in the middle, ably assisted by Warde and Captain Luigi as the visitors struggled to get inside the Powerhouse half. Marty snagged his 3rd with great use of the body before Drew got on the goal sheet to leave it 5-1 to no score halfway through the quarter. When the ball did go inside 'House's 50, Rocket, the 2 Paddys and T-Bone returned it with interest and set up attack after attack. It was raining goals at the collegians end, with JB snagging a trademark round the body effort, Marty adding to his total and James Riley contributing to leave an amazing score line of 9-1 to 1-2 at quarter time. 'House could do no wrong.

 

An excited Powerhouse team gathered at 1/4 time but soon Warde was asking for calm and a call that there were 3 more quarters to be played and that the opposition would hit them with alot more in the 2nd term. That was exactly the case as St. Marys celebrated their 1st goal of the 2nd term with an air of a team with something to prove. Slowly though, Powerhouse gained the ascendency again, not giving the away team the time or space to play their brand of footie. The backline got on top with Fergal coming more into it and Wal snagging a goal on the boundary to share the quarter in terms of goals kicked. Marshy was having an outstanding afternoon and may have to lay off on the marathon training for the next few weeks. At half time it was 10.1 to 2.9, more a reflection of our backline pressure than their shooting. Marty went down late in the quarter with a shoulder injury, robbing the 'House of it's main goal target as he played no further part for the day.

 

It was important that the boys regrouped at half time and come out firing to finish off the wounded St. Mary's. They are not 2nd on the ladder for nothing and would be quite capable of closing the gap if the boys dropped off by even 5%. The home side came out firing though with some great run and carry and support play which seemed to kill off the opposition challenge. Macca was doing some good work on the wing, Marshall Bull continued to have it on a string and tough guy Moz was everywhere. Andy Boughan was doing a superb job in the ruck against a very good opponent and more than matching him, ably assisted by Fergal when required. Marshy and Drewy kicked the goals in the quarter to put the final nails in the St. Mary's coffin. The defence had been outstanding in the 3rd term, Paddy Barrett rebounding countless times of the backline, T-Bone dominating his opponent and Rocket, Ferg, The Unit and Arnold all putting their bodies on the line.

 

The boys had put in a supreme effort for 3 quarters but Warde asked his charges to lift once more and win the last quarter. However, the run and carry seemed to dry up and their ruckman finally started to give their onballers 1st use from the centre. 3 quick goals by the away side gave more respectability to the scoreboard from their point of view but the boys saw out the quarter well and kicked the final 2 see see out the win comfortably, Warde capping off a fine day with a goal and Jados adding the 14th for a fantastic win.

 

A minor 'shemozzle' 20s seconds from full time involving the 200-gamer - clearly his opponent had enough of his moaning - failed to dampen the spirits as the song was sung with gusto in the rooms after. Preparations for finals have to start now with no excuses for missing the next 4 important training sessions of the home and away season. St. Mary's would no doubt love another crack at Powerhouse in Finals after this defeat. Competition for spots is going to be fierce in the next few weeks and everyone needs to be fully prepared for the challenges ahead. Go 'House.

 

                      Q1   Q2   Q3    Q4 

Powerhouse     9.1  10.1 12.5  14.8-92

St Marys Sals   1.2  2.9   2.11  7.13-55