Press Releases - Archive News

St Bede's Get the Jump in Anzac Day Clash

26, Monday, April, 2010

ST BEDES/MENTONE TIGERS
Goal Kickers: M. Wintle 2, H. Shakaib 2, P. Wintle 2, L. Terrell , C. Tobin , S. Anstey , J. Hellier
Best Players: L. Wintle, J. Tyquin, L. Collins, P. Tyquin, S. Anstey, M. Wintle

OLD SCOTCH
Goalkickers: M. Passador 4, M. Abney-Hastings 2, S. Angus , G. Dick , A. Pike
Best Players: R. Nayna, T. Campbell, R. Ferraro, R. Eva, M. Passador, M. Tyler.
Privileged to be a part of the Premier football Anzac Day blockbuster for the third year running, Old Scotch were hosted by St Bede's/Mentone Tigers at Brindisi Street on Sunday. A short and respectful service was held prior to the match, with credit to St Bede's/Mentone Tigers Football Club for their handling of it.
Gus Gray, Luke Brennan and Marcus 'the Prince' Hastings were back into the team after a short injury break, as Adam Houlihan, Lachie Hill and Ash Lim watched from the sidelines. The oddly shaped Brindisi St ground has confused many good sides, and St Bede's have become incredibly adept at exploiting its quirkiness. From the outset it appeared that Scotch weren't at the peak of their game. In contrast to the Scotchies' explosive start last week, St Bede's made Scotch looked sluggish as the Cardinals struggled to move the ball past half-forward. Rob Ferraro was lively early, his curly red locks bouncing across half-back, dicing angles and repelling all that came his way. As the quarter wore on, the red men started to win back some contested footy, cleaner skills into the forward line providing several opportunities. Unfortunately, poor kicking meant that at quarter-time Scotch went in behind, scores: 3.4 to 0.5.
The second quarter began much the same, as St Bede's extended their lead with two further goals, and the scoreboard began to look dire. However, with apologies for the cliché, the margin didn't actually reflect the difference between the two teams. Matt Tyler was having a strong game in the thankless tagger's role, but not many others were playing consistent football. Another 4 behinds had Coach Banfield pulling out his hair, and it wasn't till halfway through the quarter that Mark Passador got the Scotchies on the board. Unfortunately, two untimely St Bede's goals kept Scotch at a 5 goal arm's length lead. Another vital late goal to Scotch was important, and after a tangle of arms, elbows and expletives were shared between both teams at half-time, Old Scotch went into the large break trailing 7.6.48 to 2.10.22.
Several players were on the end of a paint-shredding tirade from the coaches at half-time, and going into the second half, the improved on-field demeanour was evident. At a vital point in the match, Old Scotch responded with a telling Passador goal and moments later a strong George Dick mark in the forward pocket for two in a row. In what turned out to be a pivotal turnover, a promising forward entry that looked sure to bring up a 3rd consecutive goal was turned over by a poor decision to play on, and as the ball raced back down the field I covered my eyes only to hear the cheers of the St Bede's/Mentone faithful. To further our woes, Matt Tyler and Rob Ferraro both limped from the ground with knee injuries. In the next few minutes, St Bede's probably had the opportunity to put the game out of reach, but with a reversal of goalkicking fortune, they could not seize the game and at three-quarter time, the margin was a very reachable 17 points.
For Old Scotch to have any opportunity to mount a comeback, the first goal was imperative. However, it was not to be, as St Bede's won important stoppages and kicked away with two more goals to make any comeback very difficult. Scotch continued to fight, however sloppy decisions and important clearances were continually lost, and while goals to Pike, Angus and Passador brought the margin back to 14 points, St Bede's always seemed to have the game in control. Passador's last goal found him on the end of a chain of handballs, at the top of the goalsquare and faced with an opponent ahead and a team-mate to the side. Instead of risking a shonky handball and having the opponent shut down the space, he instead barrelled through the St Bede's player and threw it on the right foot as he was being tackled to bring up the CANNON TOYOTA GOAL OF THE DAY. It was all too little too late, Scotch falling short by 12 points; another unsatisfactory loss to a quality opponent.
Hopefully the win/loss ledger can be rectified with a big win against Old Trinity at home next week.