Link to Sporting Pulse Report

 

Caulfield   21.16.142     Defeated     Marcellin   4.10.34

 

The second half of the season can create many scenarios and at the turn CGFC were nicely placed in terms of the overall position of the club, all four teams up an about. First’s, seconds and thirds, each in second place and the nineteens in fourth spot but two games clear of fifth; pretty good first half especially with the off-field humming along nicely. Our scenario is consolidation needed in the early rounds of the second half of the season with an opportunity to challenge for top position as the weeks go by. There have been some key injuries, especially in the big man department and the challenge was to see if the absence of Andre Lister and Declan Reilly could be covered adequately in the coming weeks. The remainder of the injury/unavailable list shows how important the improved depth of the club has become. Everett, Harris, Smith, Tonkin, Belkin, Wallace and Presnell have all played in the senior team this season and all will challenge for places in the coming weeks. There are also improving players in the reserves awaiting their chance and it is worth repeating my long held view to those in waiting – make every game a good one because you don’t want to have a ‘downer’ just when the door opens! With Tom Rothel, Chas Logan, Lachy Gallop, Sam McDonald, Lachy Holmes, James Easton, Tom Stewart and others all waiting in the wings there is no room for complacency. The ‘Ressies’ are going about their business impressively and can’t wait to have another crack at Ormond!
I had the chance to drop in to watch a bit of ‘Bowesy’s Boys’ at St Mary’s but they were undermanned with the usual sabbaticals and injuries in our other teams all taking their toll. The ‘thirds’ will bounce back and the U19’s did the job again and certainly have some exciting young players.  I was back in time to see the last 10 minutes of the U19’s and good to see them win again and with healthy numbers on the bench. 
The reserves set the scene appropriately with a big win (16.18 to 5.8) and I always look for those who are consistently performing in readiness for the call. It was another very even performance I have to say but I was impressed with Alex Young’s game, especially his penetrative kicking, TJ’s continued development up forward, Jimmy Gray’s leadership and Lachy Holmes ability to see his way through tight situations with calmness and surety (obviously a cricketer)! Plenty of dash from Gallop, Logan, Conly and Stewart and Big Sam McDonald was again impressive. Conor M’F and Robbie Handel provided real bite across half forward and Andy and Luke were justifiably pleased with themselves. Another good effort boys. 
The main game was played in pretty good conditions, only the sticky centre square providing disruption and an excuse for unsure ball handling. The first five minutes or so saw both teams move the ball quickly outside of the centre square and Marcellin could easily have had a couple of goals on the board. Marcellin certainly applied some pressure early in the game and did kick the first goal after 6 minutes of play. We were having some difficulty getting the ball consistently into our forward half but Theo Thompson grabbed the opportunity when Tom Small found him with a nicely executed delivery and Theo banged it through. This provided some momentum and we started to gain the ascendancy except for a couple of behinds. It was Theo who responded with six points after Louis O’Keefe’s pass to him and we had our second on the board after 14 minutes. Tom Green busted it out of the middle but only a behind resulted and although we were having most of the play, goals were not forthcoming. Marcellin actually had a couple of chances to convert but didn’t seem to have the know-how to finish off, including running into open goal for only a behind. Damien Simic missed an opportunity that would have been a good fillip to his promotion from the Reserves but he was a fair way out for only a behind. After 20 minutes play Louis O’Keefe marked strongly from a centre clearance, passed to Will Osborn and ‘Ossie’ converted for an overdue goal. Joe McLelland was busy in defence and looking like a veteran alongside Dom O’Keefe and Joe’s clearance allowed Dan Meddings a long shot but only for a behind. The opportunity to keep the back six together for a few weeks was showing with Dom providing the perfect shepherd to Jackson Small and the defence was refusing to let anything through. Theo Thompson was constant in his role around the ground and finally Will Osborn scored his second goal for the quarter and his relatively new found stamina was allowing him more opportunities. One of Marcellin’s few forward entries resulted in another behind but Harrison Mills goaled well into time on from a move started by Dom O’Keefe’s switch deep down back. The obvious intention to change the method of play to utilise space was promising. 5.6 to 1.4 at quarter time was good but we could do better one felt. 
When the second quarter got underway there was a fair bit of sharing the control of play between the teams but I liked the way Jackson Small backed his judgment to clear the first real attack by Marcellin. Down our end Dan Meddings had a shot on the run for a behind. The first goal for the quarter came from Will Barker and Tom Green combining to break it open and Louis O’Keefe’s handball provided Nick Silvestro with the opportunity. ‘Silver’ accepted and finished off the work for the six pointer, four minutes into the term. 
Theo’s clever use of the body against numbers was impressive. Tom Green, Louis O’Keefe and Nick Silvestro combined but only a behind resulted. Joe McLelland was covering plenty of ground in his defensive role, being actively involved on the wing. Eight minutes into the quarter and Brett Sinclair was freed on the outer flank, played on promptly and centered to Louis O’Keefe who kicked our 7th goal. 
Goals were like hen’s teeth for the next 16 minutes. In the meantime Hugo Gates made a great second effort to juggle a mark on the wing and Drew Dickson judged a saving mark nicely on the last line of defence. 
Harrison Mills made a very quick recovery to send us forward again but Marcellin defended and were thwarting our efforts with a mixture of doggedness and our inability to hit targets. It took a really good contesting effort from Damien Simic against the flow to inspire Will Barker who made no mistake at the commencement of time-on. 
When Marcellin launched another affront Jackson Small remained prominent with a well-judged mark deep in defence. At half time we had control 8.8 to 1.6 but it had been somewhat of an untidy quarter but maybe some credit for that was due to the opposition’s efforts. Regardless, the approach to spreading suits our line-up. 
It was great to say g’day to a number of past players who had gathered for the annual past players’ luncheon. It was evidently a good roll up and Andrew Will’s rendition of Caulfield Family Feud was said to be the highlight of the celebration. The work that ‘Willsy’ does with the Fieldsmen is greatly appreciated. 
My supporter of the week goes to Stephen Newton AO, our magnanimous, co-Patron, who hardly ever misses a match and whose patronage has been essential to the Club, not only during his term at School Principal but to the present day. Having worked closely with Stephen during my days with the CGA, I can vouch for the outstanding support Stephen provided to all affiliates of the Caulfield Grammarians’ Association and especially during the time when we were preparing CGFC for a sustainable future on and off the ground during Matthew’s Scholten’s presidency. Not only a great School Principal, a wonderful supporter of CGFC.
The third quarter started well with Louis O’Keefe deservedly receiving a free and converting inside of two minutes. It looked as though Joe McLelland was having a run on the ball as he was suddenly involved in getting the ball out of the middle. We continued to win plenty of the ball but our finishing skills could have been better. It had become one of those games where the eventual result was not in doubt but the process was really important. I admit I was looking more for trends at this stage than ball by ball descriptions. I must however chronicle the next two goals, both by Will Osborn and within three minutes or so. The second resulted from a smart centering ball by Louis O’Keefe but importantly it reminded me of the transformation of ‘Ossie’ from the prominent thirds player to a deserving member of the senior team. We all knew Will had the skill to play at our highest level but we were not sure if it was what he really wanted! It is now in the eye of the beholder and that’s me. I don’t like to see natural talent wasted and I think ‘Ossie’ could become a really good story. Well done Will!
Nick Silvestro was quite active around this time and his handover to Tommy Small brought about a behind from Tom’s long shot. ‘Silver’ then marked a kick-in and converted half way through the quarter and the aforementioned ‘Ossie’ was in everything around this time just before he short passed to Brett Sinclair who kicked a goal to make it five unanswered goals to the Fields. I must add that Sean Stewart again proved his worth with constant competitiveness in the ruck and as expected proving the value of depth in our playing list. As usual, Tim Nixon was competing as though it was his last chance and his will to compete is inspiring. I have always used the analogy of the champion boxer, “one who get’s up when he can’t” to describe the type of player that ‘Nico’ is. Not emblazoned with the silky skills of others, Tim is now being watched by all opposing teams and that’s his ‘badge of honour’. At this stage of the game ‘Nico’ was racking up possessions. ‘Damo’ Simic tried a check shot that didn’t quite come off and he has to realise that the odds in this regard aren’t quite as attractive in senior matches, but, having said that it is not something that should be removed entirely from his repertoire, rather apply when no other option exists! After twenty two minutes of play a beaut follow up by Joe McClelland by gathering cleanly allowed him to transfer to ‘Damo’ who put another major through and the scoreboard read 14.12 to 1.8 and it didn’t stop there and Damo was playing his role really well. 
It was obviously clear to all and sundry at this time that our boys were in complete control and a matter of how far! I reckon our tackle count was well up as almost every possession by Marcellin was subject to intense physical pressure. Louis kicked a goal at the 26 minute mark following a delivery from Will Barker and then Greeny supplied ‘Barks’ via handball with an opportunity and it was another major. Sean was continuing to dominate in the ruck and I thought “no Andre, no Declan, no matter”! Of course that’s a flippant remark but I was rapt for Sean. Jesse Toniolo made Marcellin pay from an errant kick-in as he kicked our 17th goal and is another of the ‘young guns’ making his presence felt. 
Louis kicked off the final quarter with his fourth goal for the match, Sam Banfield providing the entry with a smart baulk. Sam is really good to watch in traffic at times. Domma was marshalling the back six as usual and is always looking to square off to the open side as he did on this occasion with ‘Millsy’ anticipating Dom’s delivery and driving us forward again. Marcellin were being thwarted each time they tried to enter their half and when they did, Dom’s troop tidied up. I observed that Marcellin, when they did win possession, kept retracting as all their options were covered. Twelve minutes of play ensued before Damo successfully demonstrated a check side goal, courtesy of Nick Silvestro’s centering delivery and I made a note that 12 minutes had elapsed without the opposition threatening our defence. Another example of Ossie’s advancement saw him marking and relieving at half back but shortly after Marcellin finally broke through for a goal. They followed up with some more attacking play but ‘Jacko’ was constantly in the way supported by ‘Gater’ and the other defenders. 
We scored another goal, by Tim Nixon, at the 20 minute mark with a nicely timed ‘hook’ by Millsy to Tim Nixon, his shot bisecting the big sticks. The sting had gone out of the game by this stage and it was a bit annoying  that Marcellin scored two of the last three goals. Our 21st goal close to the end of the game was started by great running defence from ‘Jacko’ and Louis topped it off just before Marcellin’s final effort. Final score 21.16 to 4.9 and still some work to do on our conversion rate but an important and comprehensive victory. 
Goals – L O’Keefe 5, Osborn 4, Thompson 2, Silvestro 2, Barker 2, Mills, Sinclair, Toniolo, Nixon
Better players in no particular order – J Small, McLelland, Barker, Osborn, McEvoy, Nixon, T Small, Stewart, Thompson, D O’Keefe   
Interesting selection this coming week with pressure from the reserves and perhaps others returning from injury! Good position to be in but no resting on laurels just yet! Old Camberwell may well prove to be our toughest test yet on the spacious Gordon Barnard Reserve. The Wellers ran Mazenod closely two days ago and led at three quarter time, and they don’t like us!
Another good day at Glenhuntly and well done to Simon and his team.
Go Fields!!