"Eastrn Loins"??? - June 24th, 2006

It has been many years since we played at the old Fairpark ground and on arrival we were slightly confused as to exactly which team we were playing as the line marker had proudly painted the grass with a big "Eastrn Loins" message.
The Lions had been in good touch winning their last three and making a mid season bid for finals contention. Although Warrandyte had all of the play, goal kicking was ordinary to say the least and Eastern capatalised on the majority of their opportunities. Not a good ground for full forwards, Morello was forced up the ground to present different avenues to goal. Gordon and Logan stepped up kicking truly, whilst Lee Evans continued his marking prowess in kicking range. Usually a good shot for goal, Lee has had the yips recently kicking three goals 12 in two weeeks. He wasn't the only one and at half time 4.13 played 6.3. Centre clearances were not going our way although Wood and Holman dominated around the ground with the assistance of Reid. The backline settled and gave plenty of drive for Morello and Ezbery who took charge in the third term and kicked an improving Warrandyte into a commanding position. The Bloods kicked the first two goals of the final stanza and the game was played at a lower intencity as a result. With the game beyond doubt Eastern Lions started to pepper the goals and the final margin could of been closer if accurate goal kicking prevailed. Morello left the field with seconds remaining and handed his sixth goal to Flash Gordon after a strong leading mark. McAdam, Reid, Opteynde, Holman and Wood were amongst the best and it was a pleasing return to form for Adian Davey. Warrandyte's underpraised backline also deserves mention for it's continued methodical approach and drive.

Eastern Lions 9.12 - 66
Warrandyte 14.17 - 101

Reserve's
The Reserve's have steadied the ship and continued good form has the season back on track. With some challenging weeks ahead the game against Eastern Lions was a must win. Unfortunately the Lions second 18 were up to their round one tricks with another king hit from behind which is doing nothing for their sides reputation.
Despite the dewy conditions it was a good game early with Warrandyte doing most of the attacking and Eastern Lions rebounding well out of defence. Veteran Dale Vitiritti was outstanding with his attack on the ball and accurate disposal. When Holland left the field with a suspect elbow the avenue to goal seemed to dry up and mixed with wayward kicking the Bloods rued lost opportunities at the first break.The second quarter was played in much the same vein and with Holland back on the field kicking truly a margin of 21 points was managed. 18 scoring shots to 10 probably should have put the game well out of Eastern Lions' reach. With fluctuating fortunes in the second half, Warrandyte maintained a similar margin until the final siren, running out 19 point winners. Holland was again a focal point up forward kicking 6 to lead the reserve's divsion goal kicking. Vitts was best on with Haskings, Boyce, Truno, Donovan and McKellar solid contributors. Knocking on the door of the four only two points from second and a game behind top spot, it is critical that the wins continue and a finals birth for all three sides is likely.

Eastern Lions 8.11 - 59
Warrandyte 11.12 - 78


Under 18's
The Colts had another week off and through match ratio have retained third spot on the ladder. They have had a good break to regroup for this weeks important clash against Whitehorse Pioneers.

469 to 104! - June 17th, 2006

All season we have just 'done enough' and not managed to bury our opposition, often taking the foot off the pedal, especially late in the game. This was a good chance to rectify that against a winless Glen Waverley Hawks. However early on it certainly wasn't the one way traffic that we expected and Glen Waverley took their opportunities when in attack to kick five goals in the first quarter. Unfortunately this wasn't the case for the Bloods with an inaccurate seven goals eight. Still lacking a first class ruckmen the brains trust threw young Mullett-Treloar into the mix and he rose to the challenge jumping over the top of his taller opponents. The contest around the ground was scrappy and goals not as easy to come by for either team in comparison to the first quarter. It wasn't until the third quarter that Warrandyte gained real ascendency moving the ball well and applying pressure to the opposition. Morello was again a focal point, with Wood and Holman also contributing several majors. Lee Evans was getting plenty of the pill in the forward fifty which he was not able to convert. Seven goals to two behinds stretched the lead to 85 points at the last break. Coach Green called for a ten goal last quarter and a boost to our lagging percentage. Another seven was all that could be managed and to the Hawks credit they battled on kicking four of their own with Darren Hill using his size and experience well. Morello's 10 goals moves him to 57 for the season, Wood kicked 6 and Holman 4. They were joined in the best by Reid and Templeton. However it was 17 year old Mullett-Treloar awarded BOG and the Players Award.
Thursday selection will be watched closely with Holland dominating and the anticipated return of Naughtin, Grybas and Dick. It is pleasing to be seven and two at the halfway mark with key players missing for many of our games. It is time to build on the foundation that has been laid and build up to a strong finals campaign.

Warrandyte 26.17 - 173
Glen Waverley 10.6 - 66

Reserve's
They were like two gazelles gracefully and effortlessly bounding around the forwardline, able to twist and turn on a six pence and thread the Sherrin through the eye of a needle.... well perhaps not so gracious and with Holland's late night preparation it was perhaps not a Sherrin he could get through the eye of a needle! Dutchy kicked 11 goals in three quarters taking his tally to 21 from four games in the forwardline and would certainly be pressing for senior selection.

Thud! - June 3rd, 2006

Those in football circles suggest that 90% of the game is played between the shoulders. Well we hope this is true after an embarrassing performance against Surrey Park. After a high of the previous weeks well fought victory against The Basin, it was suprisingly very flat on the track and during the pre-game warm up. This was soon evident on the paddock as Surrey were first to the ball and had many loose options available. The backline did well to hold up and repell so many inside fifties. Although the margin was only four points at quarter time the Bloods could not manage another goal until mid way through the third quarter. Morello was being double and triple teamed, whilst not unusual, our deliver to him was appalling and played into Surrey's hands. Other forward options were presenting on occasion however our ball carriers could not find them with any effectiveness.
A margin of 54 points at the last change meant that the game was all but over and it was about respectability. Holman and Wood who were solid contributors showed their class in defence and Haskings proved he was a worthy selection for senior footy. Mullett-Treloar and McAdam continued their good form, however as a team it was an unacceptable performance. Morello winning a loose ball, breaking a tackle and strolling into an open goal only to be tackled and penalised summed up the teams mindset and performance. Let's hope it was 'one of those days' that we can be put behind us and ensure it doesn't happen again.

Surrey Park 15.9 - 99
Warrandyte 5.10 - 40

Reserve's
Surrey Parks ground was in great nick and it was a perfect day for football. The Reserve's got off to a flyer winning the ball from the middle and linking well around the ground with fantastic foot skills. Archie Bourke was dominating the half back line and providing plenty of run with Bruno Elliott. The supply to our forward line was plentiful and scoring opportunites came from several marking contests. Unfortunately our forwards looked a little sluggish when the pill was on the deck and Surrey Park repelled many forward thrusts. A three goal quarter time lead was reduced to two goals at the main break but the ascendency was still with the Bloods.
It is yet to be determined whether the disappointing third term could be attributed to the usual lapse in concentration or that Surrey Park were on the juice at half time. Either way six goals to two saw us battling to stay in the contest. It was a ripping final quarter with both sides hard at the footy desperate to edge ahead and each goal was celebrated with much gusto. After kicking five goals to wrestle back the lead, it wasn't going to be relinquished without a fight. With only minutes left the Bloods were two points ahead before a couple of behinds were rushed through...could we have our second draw in as many weeks!? No, a four point win was the final margin. Archie Bourke, Jarrod Boyce, Leigh Giampietro and Bruno Elliott starred as did club's fastest man competitor Campbell Holland who kicked another 4 goals.

Warrandyte 11.9 - 75
Surrey Park 12.7 - 79

The Under 18's had a bye which could not come soon enough. The rest will hopefully see a few of the boys again available for selection.

Another 3 Reasons to Party... - May 6th, 2006

We made the long trip to Ferntree Gully on an important day for the club, celebrating our 100th year at the Centenary Dinner later that evening. The seniors have not been great starters in 06 and with 5 forced changes round 4 was to be no different.
With Moose out Gully had early dominance out of the middle and the backline were under constant pressure. Our opposition kicked the first 4 goals before we were able to peg one back. Treeby and Logan settled the half back line down and McAdam was presenting well across the half forward line. Another goal prior to quarter time kept us in touch however it was far from acceptable.
An expected Green spray had the desired affect and the tempo lifted. Holman began to dominate and Reid was at the bottom of every pack. Ferntree Gully’s onballers probably had us on points and were better suited to the conditions.
A strong third term with good run from the backline and a number of targets up forward including Lee Evans took us to the last change with a 23 point lead. However we finished poorly and only a late steadying goal from Morello allowed us to sneak in by 10 points. Not putting together 4 quarters is hurting our percentage and needs to be rectified. Holman, Logan, Reid, Davey and Treeby were of the better players.

Our Reserve’s continued their winning ways slowly wearing Gully down over four quarters. Kon Krios continued his form in front of goal booting six and Jimmy Riddell dominated in the ruck and around the ground. For the second week in a row conversion was poor, especially in the last kicking 3.9. Haskings and Boyce again starred through the middle. It is great to have so much depth pushing for senior selection and also searching for a game in the reserves.

U18’s by Brad Curtis;
On a heavy ground on a cold day at Ferntree Gully and with Stats, Hammer, Beaser, The Arab & Jibba out the 18's played 3 solid quarters but went to sleep in the last to o be out scored.
The first goal came via a great call on the wing from the Glove to Bres, then to Dunnie who goaled. Ollie was solid in the backline all day. A dubious umpire decision cost us the opposition's first goal. Another great pass from the Glove to Cal, to Mitch another goal. A great tap out from Tully and a rebound produced another goal. A solid mark on the flank saw Dunnie with another goal. 5.3.33 to 1.1.7
The second quarter saw Daniel tackling like Tony Liberatore and in getting in and