Round 11 Seniors report

The Black Hawk

BLACKS BOUNCED OUT BY BLUES

It was a frustrating day for the Uni Blacks, fighting out one of the most hotly contested Uni Derby’s in recent times but ultimately falling 23 points short against the Uni Blues.

With Jordan Quaile, Charlie Richardson and Sam Bennett returning to the line-up and confidence high amongst the group after back-to-back wins in the last fortnight, the Blacks were primed for another good performance.

Lachlan Huntington opened the scoring before Quaile marked his return to the field with a goal of his own. Harry Allen has taken his game to another level this season as an inside midfielder and proved a handy goal kicker by adding a third goal for the quarter.

The Blues got on a roll after that, nailing the next three goals to collect five in total for the opening term and lead by 18 points at the first break.

After taking stock at quarter time, the Blacks produced a withering quarter of football – equal to their efforts against Old Trinity last week.

The likes of Alastair Robbins, Bede Mahon and John Vrodos were busy around the contest, while the spread of goal kickers the Blacks produced was causing the opposition some headaches. A four goal to none quarter brought the crowd alive and a lead of seven points was thoroughly deserved.

Mitch Carney added his first goal for the match just after the main break which extended the lead to 13 points, but that’s where the joy ended for the Blacks as opportunities to increase their grip on the game went begging – 1.5 to the Blues’ 3.2 during the third quarter would prove costly.

As has been the case in recent Uni Derby’s, there wasn’t much in it at the last change – the Blues led by two points.

Two Blues’ goals to start the final term meant the Blacks were really pushing uphill to try and get the result and in reality, it was a bridge too far. Bennett kicked his second goal for the day to restore a pulse, but another opposition goal shortly after snuffed out any hope of a late Blacks’ charge.

Ultimately it was the little things – an errant handball here, a missed tackle there – which proved the difference between the two sides. The Blues were the cleaner side with ball in hand for most of the day and took their chances in front of goal when they needed to.

But, there are still positives to take away. Youngsters Allen, Vrodos and Lachie Haysman were prominent both through the middle of the ground and up forward, punching above their weight class at times against a strong Blues engine room.

Alastair Robbins continued his good form in the ruck as he covers the absence of Josh Steadman, while James Toohey’s intercept marking at half back was a real highlight.

The Seniors now head into their second mid-season break of 2017, before returning for a home game against Old Melburnians in two weeks’ time.

Goals: Bennett 2, Quaile, Dornauf, Allen, Curnow, Vrodos, Huntington, Carney

Best: Mahon, Allen, Vrodos, Carney, Haysman, Robbins