Monash
University
Whites Football
1964-1965;
1971 onwards
Victorian Amateur
Football Association
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BEYOND 2000
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2009 RESULTS
25th April, 2009 at Brighton Beach Oval, Brighton
- Round 2
Old Brighton 4.0 7.0 9.2 9.4.58 Monash Blues 3.1 3.2 7.5 9.7.61 Goals: Coughlin, Goodfellow 2, J.O'Dwyer, Speekman, Woods, Bell, Fitzpatrick.
Best: J.O'Dwyer, O'Meara, Bell, Rhoden, Goodfellow, Riddle.Match Report: The privilege of playing on ANZAC Day meant a later start time at windy Brighton Beach Oval. Under the new regime the boys were too scared to arrive late, with the vast majority there half an hour before required. The day started well with Roo winning the toss and electing to kick with the aid of a strong breeze. The Whites were right in the spirit of ANZAC Day and carried the minutes silence into the entire first half. The lack of voice and intensity reflected on the scoreboard with Brighton getting off to a flier kicking the opening two goals into the teeth of a very strong breeze. The Whites finally got on the board with some clever exaggeration from little man Fitzy, who won a free kick directly in front. At quarter time, Monash was in a bit of trouble, trailing on the scoreboard, down a man with Heats tweaking a string, and with dominant ruckman Keeta struggling with a crook back.
Brighton showed in the first quarter how goals could be scored into the wind, with hard running, ferocity at the contest and clever disposal. Unfortunately the Whites did not take this on board. If not for Nick (playing his first game for the Whites), Speeches at full back and Weez and Von across half back, the game would have been over at the main break. Time and again, the backline was forced to bail out their teammates further up the field, as it seemed like there was a relentless onslaught of Brighton midfielders streaming forward under little to no pressure. The quarter finished with more bad news for the Whites, as Chuck, released from his customary half back role, copped a whack to the head while taking a strong mark up forward. He would take no further part in the game and went off to the Epworth for some attention.
At halftime, Lucka unleashed with a well deserved spray. The boys were left under no illusions that such an insipid display in the second half would not be tolerated. It was apparent in the opening minutes of the 2nd half that Monash had finally found their voice and run. Brighton was no longer allowed to waltz around in the middle of the ground, doing as they pleased. Monash were applying more pressure all over the ground easing the burden on the overworked backline. Two classy finishes from first gamer Goody saw the lead reduced to 3 points minutes before 3 quarter time. A late goal to Brighton against the run of play, left the Whites with a very difficult task, but the boys headed to the huddle with the belief a win was still possible. Highlights of the quarter were Belly's efforts in the ruck, Seb's tenacity across half back, and the aforementioned elegant left foot of Goody.
The breeze had not dropped at all, with Brighton kicking to the scoring end in the last quarter. It was going to take a monumental effort from the Whites not to let the game blow out, let alone secure an improbable victory. The intensity and voice that was so evident in the 3rd quarter, was still present at the beginning of the last. Monash began to win the ball in the contests and with some hard running and accurate disposal, managed to work the ball forward into the teeth of the breeze. The margin reduced to less than a kick with a long flat goal from Belly. This inspired the boys even more, and the belief could be seen in every one of the Whites. Conversely, the boys from Brighton appeared a bit rattled. The game tooed and froed for a while, with the Whites running the ball up into the wind only to fall down across half forward and have Brighton bomb the ball back over their heads. JOD took his customary hanger right in front of the home team's bench. Minutes later he would kick a superb goal on the run to finally give the Whites a slender lead. It would cap a fine game for Diamond, and a welcome return to the team. The last minutes seemed to drag on forever as Monash clung desperately to their lead. The final 90 seconds were played inside Brighton's forward 50 with ball-up after ball-up. The Whites were ferocious with their endeavour not to let a late goal slip through. Mercifully the siren sounded, and the boys could celebrate a hard fought win. It was a fantastic fightback by the Whites. Hopefully this will be the catalyst to get the season back on track. Sides A and B of the team song were sung with a fervour only seen after finals victories. It certainly was one of the best wins in recent Whites' history.
No time to rest on our laurels though as round 3 sees the Whites hosting North Old Boys on the familiar surrounds of Oval 2.
Other Results: Old Camberwell 17.12.114 v Old Trinity 4.9.33; North Old Boys/St Patrick's 13.17.95 v Whitefriars OC 5.6.36; Mazenod OC 6.11.47 v Marcellin OC 10.14.74; University Blacks 14.10.94 v Fitzroy 7.6.48.
ROUND TWO
CLUB XVIII (2) SECTIONW L D For Agst % Pts University Blacks 2 0 - 215 97 221.7 8 Marcellin Old Collegians 2 0 - 187 106 176.4 8 Old Camberwell Grammarians 1 1 - 194 116 167.2 4 Old Brighton Grammarians 1 1 - 172 106 162.3 4 Whitefriars Old Collegians 1 1 - 146 119 122.7 4 North Old Boys/St Patrick's 1 1 - 154 149 103.4 4 Mazenod Old Collegians 1 1 - 130 154 84.4 4 Monash Blues 1 1 - 110 179 61.5 4 Fitzroy 0 2 - 72 204 35.3 0 Old Trinity Grammarians 0 2 - 78 228 34.2 0
