Round 8 Match Review, 2024
Senior Men's Match Report
Old Ivanhoe 3.0 4.3 6.8 9.9 (63)
Old Haileyburians 7.4 7.6 11.7 13.9 (87)
Goals: L.Vaughan 3, W.Abraham 2, A.Stefanakis 2, L.Bailey, H.Jones, J.Munro, B.Seccull, D.Seccull, K.Turner
Best: M.Rose, H.Nosiara, A.Stefanakis, B.Seccull, N.Higgins, B.Steele
Round 8 and we headed out to Old lvanhoe for a crucial game for our season. With both teams on 5-2 for the year it was a crucial four points on the line. We spoke pre game about making sure we started well and got the game on our terms. That's exactly what happened as we banged on five goals to nil before our opposition could settle. We finished the quarter with seven majors to lead by 28 points at the first change.
ln the second term it had become an arm wrestle and at the long break our lead had been reduced to 2l points. The rain had arrived so in the rooms we discussed changing the way we wanted to play and what we wanted to do with the footy. Again our hardness around the contest was fantastic and after the third quarter we had extended our lead to 29 points.
The chat at the last huddle was we needed to continue to attack to win the game and we weren't going to put multiple numbers behind the ball. Pleasingly in another arm wrestle our boys stood up under pressure and came out victorious by an even four goals. A great team effort where 22 lads played their role to perfection against an opposition that we may see later on in the year.
We now have a week off and at 6-2 are sitting on top of the ladder in a very tight competition. After a rough start to the season our group had responded well and are playing the way we are wanting to majority of the time. With some boys to come back from injury and help us over the next fortnight we look forward to what is to come. We hope to see you all in a fortnight at Princess Park as we take on Old Camberwell who currently sit second on the ladder.
How the VAFA saw the match:
Old Haileyburians' hold on first spot on the ladder will continue in the week off, the Bloods starting hot then doing enough to hold off Old Ivanhoe at Chelsworth Park. Jarrod Gieschen’s men were left to rue a tardy first quarter, conceding four goals in six-and-a-half-minutes to start the game and giving up a 33-point lead before Seamus Gibbs kicked their first goal. “That was the margin at the end of the day,” said Gieschen of the frantic start – the Bloods running out 24-point winners, 13.9 (87) to 9.9 (63). “(The result) shows we have some work to do to match it with the benchmark team, but we aren’t too far off,” he said. Harrison Reid continued a strong month of footy, while Michael Mitris kicked two goals – ultimately, the Hoers left themselves too much to do and finish the first two months of the season in fifth position.
For Daniel Ward, the last month-and-a-half has been the perfect tonic to a slow start to 2024. “After a 0-2 start, to win the next six has been pleasing,” he said. Mattias Rose and Noah Higgins impressed from their respective wings, while Ward found goal kickers in Lachie Vaughan (three), Will Abraham (two) and Andreas Stefanakis (two).
For full pictorial coverage of the Seniors' match against Old Ivanhoe go to the Gallery
Hearts Match Report
Collegians 2.3 3.4 5.6 8.8 (56)
Old Haileyburians 0.2 1.2 2.4 3.4 (22)
Goals: S.Vudiniabola 2, E.McCrae
Best: E.Main, P.Gardiyawasam, I.Scaunich, R.Hobley, B.Hanrahan, S.Vudiniabola
Debut: Reanna Barbakas
The Hearts travelled to Albert Park on a dewy Saturday morning to face the formidable Collegians. Despite a blazing start from the home side, which saw them score two goals in the first three minutes, the Hearts maintained a positive outlook and responded with impressive grit.
Collegians, known for their size, strength, and experience, seemed poised to dominate the game. However, the determination and heart shown by the Hearts were nothing short of admirable. Pulli, returning from a knee injury sustained in Round One, anchored the defence with a stellar performance, repelling numerous Collegians'attacks.
Eliza Main took full advantage of her opportunity to play on ball, challenging the opposition with vigor. Regular contributors Bella, Ella, Eloise, Junior, and Serene delivered strong performances, reinforcing the team's resilience. Youngsters lvy and Sienna, despite being only under 17, displayed fearless determination, battling hard throughout the match.
As the season reaches its halfway mark, the Hearts hold a record of three wins and five losses. However, their
continuous growth and development are evident, and they are enjoying their football while improving with each
ga me.
How the VAFA saw the match:
Collegians solidified dominance in the league since their elevation to the Division 1 competition, with a 34-point win over Old Haileyburians, who now sit fifth on the ladder, a game behind Parkdale. The game was never really on the Haileyburians' terms, who were limited to 1.4 in the first half and only two goals for the second half. Comparatively, Collegians scored 5.4 in the second half to cement their win. Eliza Main was best on ground for Haileyburians, whilst Serene Vudiniabola had two goals in the low scoring affair.
Men's Reserves Match Report
Old Ivanhoe 5.4 10.9 13.11 16.12 (108)
Old Haileyburians 0.0 0.1 0.2 3.5 (23)
Goals: H.Grenda, J.Hardeman, N.Traficante
Best: J.Adams, S.Stefanakis, A.Williamson, L.Wood, P.Gleadhill, J.Vaughan
Under 19's Match Report
Glen Eira/Old McKinnon 1.2 4.5 6.7 7.8 (50)
Old Haileyburians 5.5 7.6 7.8 12.14 (86)
Goals: S.Lynch 4, J.Kennedy 2, J.Black 2, T.Antonis, Z.Fuleky, L.Riedel, B.Yates
Best: T.Antonis, N.Giustiniano, W.Gordon, B.Yates, J.Black, S.Lynch
Debuts: Jack Chamberlain, Sam Keenan
The U19's played away on Saturday against Glen Eira/Old McKinnon and although their ladder position might have suggested that we would win easily, we needed to summon our best football to come away with the win. Our pre-game focus was all about starting well, which we had not been doing over the last few weeks and our guys came out firing kicking 5.5 to 1.2. Quick ball movement and some fantastic examples of "lowering the eyes" and hitting up loose forwards gave us plenty of shots at goal.
Unfortunately, that's where it stopped and for two quarters it was left up to too few to provide the effort required to compete in Division One. As l often say to the guys, football is a tough game, and it requires 100% concentration and effort for the full hundred minutes and when that is missing, any team at any time can get hold of you. With the game on the line at 3 quarter time we moved Jake Black and James Connell up forward, put Bailey Yates in the ruck and "Dazzling Whitaker" down back. We asked the midfield for an extra special effort and instructed everyone to play-on at all costs and get the ball into our forwards quick. The result was a six goal to one last quarter and a 36-point win.
Pride in effort is important as an individual and if enough guys can walk off the ground with their heads held high then the team can do the same. But that effort needs to be for four quarters not just the two and that is something that we need to work on as a group. We are currently sitting second on the ladder in a tough division so we must be doing something right and with a well earned break this week we will come back next week ready to fire against the top side on a Super Saturday at Princes Park.