Round 2 Match Reviews

Both the Seniors and Reserves needed wins to kick start their season and they delivered in spades! A huge weekend for the club saw two big wins in a traditionally tough road trip to La Trobe.

Seniors:

The Seniors entered this match with a ‘win at all cost’ attitude, Coach Voyage had been stressing all week the importance of this fixture! The match was very tight in the first half, Ben Circosta was providing great run, unfortunately his brother Steve was injured and left the ground early, adding to this Andrew Kuhanez had to come off also. At half time it was 5 goals apiece and the match was in the balance.

In the 3^rd Quarter the PHAFC stepped up and ran riot, a 6 goal to 1 goal term really set it up for the House, both Collett brothers hit the scoreboard well and ended up with 3 goals each, Burnside was rucking everything and Baker was cleaning up all across the ground. Rhys Gregory and Irishman Aidan Reynolds were fantastic across half back with their rebound and run.

Co-Captain Ben Leske was solid in his return to senior footy, in the forward line Heath Miller, Twelftree and Urwin presented well all day and were unselfish by setting up a number of their team mates.

The last quarter was a tight affair with PHAFC kicking 2 goals to 1. The end result was a big 35 point win to the House, this result was fantastic considering La Trobe really thumped us last time we were on their home turf. We look forward net week to a match against our old rivals Hawthorn – the first time in a couple of years that we will face them! Coach Voyage will be stressing the importance of backing this great win up, make sure you get down to Hawthorn next Saturday to cheer on the boys!

GO HOUSE!

La Trobe University AFC	7.9-51
Power House AFC	13.8-86

Power House AFC

Goal Kickers: T. Collett 3, A. Collett 3, C. Urwin , B. Circosta , C. Betts , J. Theofanis , H. Miller , D. Burnside , L. Stubbs
Best Players: , D. Baker , T. Collett , D. Burnside , C. Betts , R. Gregory , A. Reynolds

Reserves:

La Trobe did a number on our reserves last year in the Qualifying Final – belting us to the tune of 10+ goals, this time around it was vastly different. It was a tight contest for much of the first half, new comers Jack Quirk, James Cox and Nick Jeffrey slotted very well into the line-up and racked up a lot of possessions. Duncan Eastey was back for his first game and was putting on a clinic in the ruck and ‘Captain for the day’ Euan Edwards was like a steam locomotive off the half back line.

Patty Arnold was dangerous up forward and kicked the side only 2 goals in the first half, PHAFC were wasteful in front of goal in the 2^nd quarter and should have been 3-4 goals up, instead they found themselves down at half time.

The 3^rd quarter was a war of attrition with La Trobe kicking the first goal before Daniel Buckley marked and converted from about 30 out, as the 3 Quarter time siren went the boys were feeling the pinch – La Trobe’s ground rivals the MCG in size! Coach Phil Mackney implored the boys for one final effort.

In the last quarter the ball was going end to end without much scoring being done, the PHAFC backline was rebounding everything and holding firm- Paddy Barrett was relishing his return to the 2s throwing himself into every contest, the forward line failed to make the most of their opportunities as it looked like time was running out.

Padriag O’Grady took a mark outside 50 and was felled by a La Trobe player, after a bit of a scuffle there was a 25m penalty awarded and Padraig calmly slotted it through to put PHAFC less than a kick down. In the final minutes there were numerous forward attacks which only resulted in a couple of rushed behinds.

In a shortened final term the call came out that there was less than a minute left, Phil was screaming at his charge for a final effort. There was a ball up outside the 50 and the ball spilled out to Ben ‘Fridge’ Roberts who looked up and saw Daniel Buckley by himself in the pocket, he chipped the ball, Bucks marked… then the siren went with the HOUSE 2 points down! La Trobe players gathered around the mark as Bucks went back to take the kick from about 30m in the pocket, Bucks aimed for the left post with his kick and as the ball sailed through the big sticks pandemonium followed! – the 2s had just pinched their first win of the season in an all-time classic. There were hugs all round and the song was sung with absolute gusto! It was a special win for all involved and we hope this propels us to greater heights this season- What a win!