Press Releases - Archive News

Collegians Too Good

23, Sunday, May, 2010

In 2004, a wispy, whippet-like footballer ran around for the Scotch College seconds. This player was one of the ultimate goers; he could run like the wind, would get to the right spots and would never back down from a contest. Nevertheless, despite his good form he was never rewarded with the ultimate school honour of playing in the 1st XVIII. I always remember the day that coach Steve Holding took him aside and said 'It's just a skills issue with you, isn't it, Dak?' To his credit, this player continued on, and while never playing a 1sts game for school, has carved out a respectable career at the OSFC and has become a much better player than some of those who took his position in that 1st XVIII.
Why do I bring this story up you ask? Well, the contest between Collegians and Old Scotch eventually came down to what could aptly be described as a 'skills issue'. Not that Old Scotch are lacking the requisite ability, rather that tired and under pressure, we were not able to execute the desired skills to a level that would allow us to defeat the top placed and undefeated Collegians team.
In a game that was billed as having plenty of feeling, the first half was rather lacklustre, as Old Scotch seemingly hung on against a Collegians team who dominated possession. Two early goals to Collegians put Scotch immediately on the back foot, but when former Wesley student Tom Campbell barrelled one through into the wind, Old Scotch was on the board. Lachie Hill was an unfortunate casualty in the first 10 minutes, rolling an ankle and taking no further part in the game. The rest of the first quarter was spent repelling Collegians attacks, Rich Eva and Sam Thompson leading from the front, both set with difficult tasks. At quarter-time, Scotch trailed by 16 points.
The second quarter continued in the same fashion as Scotch's defensive game plan was making scoring difficult for Collegians. At the same time, Collegians were dropping numbers behind the ball in front of Mark Passador, and a very one dimensional Old Scotch team failed to recognise and restructure accordingly. Ferraro and Nayna cruising through the middle were having no trouble finding the ball, and Old Scotch's only goal for the quarter was registered by first gamer Sean Leith. Nearing half-time, Passador pulled a hamstring, a massive blow as the Cardinals went into the half time break 22 points adrift.
A reshuffle was required to reinvigorate the ailing forward structure, as Coach Banfield moved Brennan, Pike and Nayna into the forward half to offer some spark. In next to no time, this reshuffle provided results. Leith was the first beneficiary, comfortably slotting home a set shot from 30. This was followed by a strong pack mark 25 out from Tom Campbell and a long searching lead from Luke Brennan who both nailed their set shots. Dick, Ferraro, Houlihan and Bowden had complete control over midfield usage and when Al Pike 'smothermarked' a kick-in and bounded into an open goal for the CANNON TOYOTA GOAL OF THE DAY, Old Scotch were well and truly on the charge.
If the supporters on the hill were already excited, nothing could prepare them for Luke Brennan's towering speccy and goal moments later, the Old Scotch crowd going into fits of excitement.
An uncharacteristic Adam Houlihan turnover gifted Collegians a goal before Jack Furey responded with another for the Cardinals. Collegians scored one late after missing some opportunities and at three-quarter time they held a slender 1 point lead.
The last quarter was set up for an epic tussle, and Collegians made their mark early to extend their lead. Old Scotch responded with some attacking forward thrusts but crucial misses by Will Davis and Luke Brennan proved costly. The game continued to seesaw as the quarter wore on, but vital skill errors into the forward line hurt Old Scotch, as Collegians made the most of the opportunities, adding another two to snatch the game away from the red men. The siren sounded with Old Scotch 19 points adrift, another exasperating loss under 20 points for the fourth time this season. Next week, Old Scotch tackles Old Xaverians at K2 Stadium, our fiercest rivals and last year's premiers.
Hopefully this week we can take the next step, produce a four quarter performance and take a scalp of a top four team.