Link to Sporting Pulse Report

Caulfield  13 – 17 – 95     Defeated     Ormond  5 – 15 – 45 

I decided to miss the early part of the Reserves, albeit only 10 minutes, to have a squiz at the Thirds in their first encounter for the season. Upon arriving at Glenhuntly, it was terrific to see 5 or 6 players on the bench, itching to get on the ground and a fast, open style of play by both teams. Joshy was assisting Luke Matias with the board and Ormond appeared to have good numbers as well. I was temporarily confounded when the opposition full forward looked remarkably like someone I coached at Ormond 21 years ago and it turned out to be one and the same; that was the moment I felt a little older!! The highlight while I was there however was Strainy soaring above the pack just like days of old and despite a very bumpy landing, got up, focussed and kicked truly! Then I noticed Andy Lawson and Ed Kalaja bouncing around looking as though they had just completed a full pre-season! Trent Bockman has also returned to CGFC and although ‘slightly’ over his previous playing weight, was into the action. Now apart from these guys there were lots of fresh faces wearing the blue and white and good support on the bench. To be honest I could only accurately identify a handful! Will Bowes, coach in waiting, will be pretty pleased when he arrives back in Melbourne Town to take over the coaching reins! It was good to hear later that these lads had won quite convincingly; a great start to their 2016.

And so on to the EE Gunn reserve, a ground I know (or knew) so well where the Ressies seemed to have caught the inaccuracy bug from last week’s senior team with behind after behind while the opposition had no real trouble in front of the big sticks. Disappointingly the Ressies went down with poor shooting for goal so costly – 5.17 to 8.5. Luke and ‘Spits’ will be on their case during the coming week I’m sure.

The seniors’ line-up was varied from the previous week with Dec Reilly incurring a two week holiday after a report by the VAFA when completing a video review of the umps performance the previous week and Lloyd Everett out with a slight hammy. Into the line-up came Theo Thompson and Jack Wallace from Sandringham’s list and very welcome they were too. Jack had given an encouraging indication of his skill level last season and I was keen to see his further progression. Theo, also released from Sandy for the day I hadn’t seen play before. I was however aware of his fine reputation from School and ‘rep’ footy. I eagerly awaited his display knowing only too well of the exceptional Thompson tradition, from his own generation and from two generations prior! I was not disappointed!

And so to the start with Ormond kicking with the breeze. It was a good start and into attack early against the wind but Ormond stood firm. Tom Smith, after a good performance in round 1 laid an early tackle, something I always like to see as it sets a standard individually and team wise. Theo Thompson looked steady and controlled in the early stages, we had a number of entries forward but Ormond were reading the play well. Louis O’K enabled our first score, a hurried behind. We were getting plenty of the ball; a passage with Andre marking to Jack Wallace to Brett Sinclair but only a further behind from the Malane Street boundary line pocket.  A very quick transfer by Ormond brought up their first score, also a behind. Tom Smith again featured with a strong contesting mark as we continued to have more than our share of possessions. A quick kick by Brett Sincalir to Jack Wallace brought a further minor score, followed by a quick shot from Jessie Toniolo for another minor, hopefully not heralding a similar scoreline to round 1.

An error from a kick-in and Ormond swarmed as we appeared slow to pick up loose players and Ormond suddenly looked cohesive. It was developing into a scrappy game. Jess Toniolo and Sam Banfield combined to relieve some of the pressure and I noted and liked Louis on the ball for a time. In the tug of was that ensued Ormond pounced and sent a long kick deep to their goal-square where inexperience was our only excuse with 4 Fields’ flying and no one down – result easy goal to Ormond 16 minutes in. I suspect there would have been questions asked in the box! I was impressed immediately after the error as a quick entry out of the centre saw us lock it in the forward 50 but Jess T missed a chance with a behind followed by Dom O’K to Chas Logan to Nico but only for a behind. A quick clearance by the home side really hurt when their long entry rolled through for a goal and we had been through a period with some shoddy ball handling. Tom Silvestro and Greeny combined well but we suffered another turnover but just into time-on. Charlie Logan provided the required finishing touches to kick our first goal at the 24.20 minute mark. Hugo Gates put in a great spoil after Ormond had run the ball deep into their zone and as we gradually moved the ball forward, Jack Wallace moved superbly to run on, hand ball to Jordy Stewart who made no mistake for our second major. It was an impressive piece of play! It was Jack again in the action, but this time giving away a penalty downfield, fortunately Ormond only kicked a minor. I know there was plenty of heat out there but I also know we can get better with our handball in heavy traffic; it’s a key part of the game more than ever now. Just after Jordan kicked a behind on the run, the siren sounded for the first break and we trailed 2.5 to 2.6 but had worked quite well against the wind.

We were into attack early in the second quarter with frees to Andre, then Nick ‘Silver’ before ‘Barks’ snapped a behind. ‘Barks’ was into the action again as he broke clear and Greeny swooped on a loose ball, found Brett at CHF but ‘Shiggy” didn’t display one of his best with a behind. I know he would have been fuming after Ormond ran the ball almost the length of the ground after the kick-in and goaled on the run. Ormond got busy again but Dom marked surely in defence to repel their attack, probably saving another Ormond major. Ryan Harris was fluent with a mark on the run but was disappointed with only a behind. I made a note at this stage that the standard of the game was not great with unsure ball handling and poor decision making by both teams. Ormond’s Martinov was prominent but was also becoming ‘Martinoff’ with his set shots, fortunately for us! It was good to see young Finn McEvoy produce a saving mark in defence but I was worried that not enough attention was being paid to the Ormond veteran, ‘Digger’ Keleher, who was setting up play from defence. In due course it was good to see ‘Digger’ covered and not allowed too much freedom. A much needed shot in the arm was welcomed when Tim Nixon, busy as usual, got in a quick delivery to Brett Sinclair who made no mistake this time. ‘Martinoff’ was still missing his chances, we tended to give off too many outside handballs in traffic that enabled Ormond to defend on the boundary but hey, the boys were getting their hands on it! Ormond converted 23 minutes in, off the pack, to even the game. Response was required and delivered by “Nico’ who goaled in a timely manner and almost against the flow, followed by some brilliance from ‘Barks’ out of the middle and Charlie Logan made no mistake within 40 seconds of our previous goal. Just before the siren, a minute later, Dom O’Keefe produced a saving mark and we went to the rooms leading 5.7 to 4.7.

The third quarter was a real to and fro affair! Neither side could break through for a goal, only behinds forthcoming. When Theo marked surely at half back, the train to Nixon, Tonkin, Toniolo, Harris was great and with Jordan Stewart on the end of it a certain goal, even though the ump took Jordy to a more difficult angle. I still backed Jordan and fortunately couldn’t get on Sportsbet in time as he mangled the kick! Despite the lack of conversions for CGFC I felt we were gaining momentum. Jack Belkin is a very likely looking lad up back in our new look defence compared with recent seasons and delivers the ball nicely and well ‘weighted’ giving his team mates plenty of opportunity to use their judgment. Tom Green was becoming more involved and Nick Tonkin starting to use his run and carry, just needing a little more subtlety by steadying. We started to ‘pepper’ the goals for a time and it was annoying to see the wastage but the boys were combining and just needed to finish more conclusively. There were certainly some good passages of quick movement and Charlie to Andre to Greeny deserved better than a behind. Nick Silvestro to Brett to Louis was another miss but our tackling was good. We really looked in control but needed to prove it on the scoreboard. Our numbers were strong at the ball, an impressive sign and we kept it in the forward half. Just when an act of class could provide a lift, Jack Wallace provided. He swooped on a loose ball for the first goal for the quarter. We probably could have made more of the next 7 minutes or so but behinds were resulting rather than 6 pointers. Tom Smith made a super spoil when out of position, Charlie was great across the middle and the linkage was looking better, but, must we needed goals! When Tim Nixon marked strongly, Jack Wallace and Harrison Mills linked beautifully creating a chance for Louis who made no mistake into time on for our 7^th goal. Ormond answered well into time on, almost against the flow and the clock ran down with the score at three quarter time 7.14 to 5.13 in our favour. If we could become more assured with our delivery we had a chance to secure this game.

It was a great start to the final term and when Andre was freed and found Louis, a goal resulted inside 2 minutes. Some gang tackles were a great sign, Ormond missed a couple of shots on goal but the young guns, Theo and Jack were combining across half back. Greeny was clearly intent on ramping it up and used his balance and pace to give Charlie another chance; he made no mistake with our second for the term. The back half was linking well. Brett Sinclair kicked his second courtesy of the cohesion by our running backs and Will Barker was prominent. There was a notable lift in the quality of the tackling and Chas Logan was not only kicking them but making them with assistance from ‘Barks’ and Brett was the beneficiary whilst becoming a huge headache for Ormond.

Jesse Toniolo busted it out of the centre and Ormond were losing control of the game and of their discipline, Jordan Stewart the beneficiary of their awful play in defence. We probably should have converted more during this time with behinds to ‘Silver’ and Jess T. Brett Sinclair was now spending time in defence and repelling any Ormond attacks with the help and support of the back six. Ormond players were cramping while we were running on well. ‘Wally’ to Harris to Domma to Nico only produced a behind but was evidence of our dominance. All Caulfield players looked fresh enough in the final stages and Dan Meddings raced away from his opponent as Charlie Logan completed a good day with his 4^th goal, two minutes before the siren. The final score of 13.17 to 5.15 said it all. Yes, some missed opportunities but far better cohesion and commitment to the demands of the coaches. No threatening injuries as far as I was aware and much to look forward to it the coming weeks.

Better players – Logan, Harris, Barker, Lister, Sinclair, Smith, Green, Wallace (in no particular order).

Goals – Logan 4, Sinclair 3, Stewart 2, Louis O’Keefe 2, Wallace 1, Nixon 1.

Disappointed to hear the results from the Under 19’s but maybe they met a really good side and kicking 1.16 doesn’t help!

Selection will be interesting this Thursday and from my observations I think we will have more available for round 3. Good situation to be in!

Well done to Simon and his coaching staff after a disappointing result in round 1. I’ll say it again, Premier C will be a tough season and durability will count. There is a clear commitment by the playing group with emphasis on recovery and everyone accountable. I really like that – “if it is to be it’s up to me”! Take responsibility for your particular contribution and leave no stone unturned.

 Can’t wait for round 3! If only the Bombers had got over the Cats it would have been a superb weekend, not just a good one!!

Go Fields