Round 3 - RESERVES V Monash Gryphons

The first home game of the season against Monash Gryphons was eagerly anticipated on the back of two very good away performances in April. On a warm May day with little wind perfect for footie, the Ressies lined up with what is starting to look like a very settled side and in this scribe's opinion, probably the strongest since the 2006 D4 Grand Final. Ryan Anderson was back from his week off to start in the ruck, with young Jimmy Macken taking up the key centre half back job. Otherwise it was as last week, with Maloney and White leading the backline, Marty and Richie the tall forwards and Wardie in the engine room. Micheál Lynch was a big inclusion, down from the senior side. The settled line-up, which is a luxury in the Magoos, is doing wonders for the team's confidence at the moment and its certainly being displayed in the way the boys are going about it. 

That said, they were looking for a better start than the opening two rounds and while the attack on the footie was evident, the boys know that they can still start games better. Monash were well up for this game on the back of some fierce contests in the last few years and they shaded the opening quarter on the scoreboard to take a two goal to one lead at the first break. Marty was the sole goal kicker in the opening term, the 'House probably a bit guilty of overuse at times and a few costly turnovers let the college side in. 

The boys knew that there was more in this team and they signalled their intent right from the start of the second term. Some great work by Plazzer out of the middle saw the ball reach Wal who turned and goaled. It was the start of an eight goal term in which the Powerhouse fitness and skills would leave Monash struggling for possession at times and will have please Warde no end. Micheál Lynch and Brian Kyne were having an influence in the centre line and a good centring kick by Kyne to Russ who immediately offloaded to Benny for a precise pass to Richie inside 50 was probably the goal of the day. Billy Baxter was dominating off half back ably assisted by Dave Maloney who's having a great season. Paddy Arnold, playing on the half forward flank joined Wal in the scoring, the latter getting his second with some speed and trickery before Warde ran through a pack to kick an inspirational goal. 2 buck fine has to go to the President who kicked a great round the body goal from the pocket and then gave a finger salute to the 'crowd'... consisting of a passer by and his dog! Love your work Scratcher. 

Plenty of backslapping at half time but Warde pulled the boys in and made it known in no uncertain terms that the job was only half done. Monash would come out fighting after the long break and 'House had to be ready. They were and matched the away team's efforts in the opening minutes before strangling the life out of them and the game after Monash kicked the first from their No.2. More slick passing by hand and foot through the corridor resulted in Jados getting on the end of a goal. Everyone was contributing with Lynchy getting leather poisoning, revelling in his opportunity after coming down from the senior side. Sammy and Benny pushed forward to kick goals in the third to leave the game all but over at 3/4 time. What was great to see was the boys switching the footie in the backline and playing through the corridor, the confidence is showing from a winning side. 

Warde asked the boys not to drop away in the final term and finish the game out strongly to take it into next week. The boys won the final quarter too four goals to one, Paddy bagging his 2nd of the day with a good set shot from the arc. Johnny Brennan had tried hard all day and some good work by him saw the ball break to Aaron for an Irish-Kiwi combination goal! Benny showed his class with a great goal on a tight angle before Jados rounded off a captain's 2nd half performance by bagging the last. The boys wont be getting ahead of themselves and you can only beat what's put in front of you but the boys certainly did that. Also a very even spread of contributors which is a very good sign. Two very tough weeks ahead against opposition also in the top four but the boys are up for the challenge and are sitting pretty at three zip. 

Best: M. Lynch, B. Baxter, D. Maloney, C. Plazzer, B. Kyne