Round 18 Match Review, 2024

 

Senior Men's Match Report

Old Haileyburians     4.3     8.6     12.8     17.14 (116)

Old Ivanhoe                3.1    3.2        8.6         8.7   (55)

Goals: C.Harrop 9, A.Stefanakis 3, J.Bell 2, P.Gleadhill 2, C.Riley

Best: C.Harrop, B.Steele, J.Gasparini, D.Seccull, R.Seccull, C.Riley

 

In our last game in the home and away season we played a second game for the year at the school against Old Ivanhoe. As most weekends lately a wind was blowing to one end so we had to make sure we were playing a different game style for each quarter. In the first term we were going into it so it was very important we got off to a good start and played the right way. Pleasingly our ball movement and work rate were both fantastic as we led by eight points at the first break. We were looking to take our chances in front of goal in the second term and we were really happy with how that went as we extended our lead to 34 points at half time.

The third term was another opportunity to shut down our opposition and try and hurt them on the counter attack. Even though we lost the term we did this well enough and still led by 26 points with a term to go. The last quarter was about keeping our discipline as a few spot fires were starting to develop. Pleased to say that we did this and took advantage of the wind again and ran out convincing winners by 61 points. A great result from our group who are playing the right way at the right time of the year.

Individually Charlie Harrop had a day out up forward finishing up with nine goals. Great reward for a young guy who works hard at his footy and it translates with his work rate on game day. The other 21 played their role to perfection on the day. We finish the year with the Minor Premiership six points clear on the top of the ladder. Great reward for our playing group who have bounced straight back after our year in A Grade in 2023.

All we have done is qualify and this group wants to achieve a lot more over the next three weeks. Our finals campaign starts this Sunday when we take on De La Salle at Box Hill at 2.10 pm.

How the VAFA saw the match:

With De La’s loss, Old Haileyburians was assured of top spot regardless of the outcome but finished the home-and-away season strongly with a 17.14 (116) to 8.7 (55) defeat of Old Ivanhoe.  The eye is drawn to Charlie Harrop’s outing: 24 disposals, 11 marks and nine goals in an astonishing display in blustery conditions.  “We got a good look at one of the best teams in the competition on Saturday,” said Old Ivanhoe coach Jarrod Gieschen.  “Although I was happy with our playing group’s effort and endeavour, there was a noticeable skill and class gap between the two sides.”

For full pictorial coverage of the Seniors' match against Old Ivanhoe go to the Gallery

 

Men's Reserves Match Report 

Old Haileyburians     2.0     3.3     4.6         5.6 (36)

Old Ivanhoe               5.2     5.6     9.9     12.13 (85)

Goals: M.Walstab 2, E.Hardeman, B.Prior, A.Williamson

Best: P.McPhee, W.Abraham, S.Connolly, J.Gillon, N.Traficante, T.McPhee

 

Under 19's Match Report

Old Haileyburians     2.6     7.10     10.13     12.18 (90)

Old Carey                   2.2       3.2          4.3         9.7 (61)

Goals: J.Kennedy 3, W.Hardeman 2, S.Lynch 2, W.McPhee 2, J.Connell, L.Riedel, B.Yates

Best: J.Connell, W.McPhee, J.Kennedy, M.Cowell, W.Hardeman, A.Daniel-Reid

 

On a blustery Father's Day the U19's took on Old Carey in the 1st Semi-Final at Trevor Barker Oval in Sandringham. Old Carey won the toss and surprisingly kicked against a strong breeze in the first quarter. On tough windy days it quite often comes down to effort, "Head over the Ball' effort and our players brought it in spades. We had plenty of the ball and double the scoring shots of Carey, we just couldn't convert and went into the small break with a slender four point lead.  We spoke at the break about getting more reward for effort and raising the output of our midfield at the centre bounces and stoppages around the ground.

The second quarter could arguably be our best quarter of the year, our midfield dominated the clearances with Will McPhee smashing ‘em, Scanlan Lynch worked tirelessly up against a hard tag and James Connell played the role of spare defender magnificently. The ruck combo of Ethan Hardeman and Dazzling Whitaker was well on top and their follow up work at ground level made a huge difference.

Unfortunately, Nick Cleary suffered a year ending shoulder injury with three minutes to go before half time, but our guys used this as motivation to finish off the quarter kicking three goals in the last three minutes against the wind to take a commanding 32-point lead into the big break. A five goal to one quarter. Huge.

We continued the third quarter where we left off in the second. We often talk about the importance of winning or halving your individual contest and our guys were well ahead of the ledger in contested ball. Matty Cowell and Will Hardeman as small forwards were continually giving our forwards second and third looks at it as they fought hard to keep the ball embedded in our forward line. Jack Kennedy and Bailey Yates were clunking everything that came their way setting up another four goals to one quarter as we regrouped at three quarter time with a 46-point lead.

The lead jumped out to a 54 points thanks to two early goals in the last and an arm wrestle for the next ten minutes meant the game was done and dusted.  Four late goals to Old Carey in junk time left us with a 29-point win and a ticket into next week’s preliminary final.  I am unbelievably proud of these guys who have worked their buts off to make a Preliminary Final and all parents and supporters should be as well.  Thanks to everyone that made the trek down to Sandringham on Father's Day to support, this makes a huge difference, and I know the players absolutely loved it.