Around the Grounds Friday 29th May and Saturday 30th May 2009.
As part of the new U18 competition the VAFA agreed to hold several night games under lights at Elsternwick Park, Sportscover Arena and Friday Night 29th May was our night to perform under lights.

St. Mary's Salesian met St. Bedes Mentone a strong club fostering amateur sport in the Braeside, Mentone areas, turned on an interesting and entertaining game.

Quite a new experience, to play a competitive game under lights, on a wide open ground. The night was quite chilly for the spectators, the boys stuck to their task well, but were unable to make up the first quarter lead by St. Bedes. The game after the first quarter saw the Saints plugging away to win the third quarter but fell short at the final siren by 9pts. Players must be congratulated for making themselves available for this night game. Keep up the good work and a win will come your way soon.

ST BEDES/MENTONE TIGERS 1.2 4.3 6.7 8.9-57
ST MARY'S SALESIAN 0.1 2.3 5.5 7.6-48

Club 18's
After a poor display last week, The Clubbies were determined to show the competition that they are still very competitive and turned on a fine game of football. The return of several of the team's goal scoring division read the wind well and with accurate goal shooting went to a 33 pt lead at quarter time holding Hampton scoreless for the first quarter. Logan, Payne, Loughnan were all causing problems for the Rovers.
Paul Harrison was showing some of his best and seems to be regaining good form, brother Francis was also using his body strength well.
The Saints kept up the pressure for the next two quarters, holding a 66pt lead at three quarter time.
Hampton came back in the last quarter kicking 6 goals 5 bh to the Saints only managing 7pts.

ST MARY'S SALESIAN 5.3 10.4 14.8 15.9-99
HAMPTON ROVERS 0.0 3.1 4.2 10.7-67

ST MARY'S SALESIAN
Goal Kickers: S. Logan 4, S. Payne 4, M. Loughnan 4, K. Woodman, S. Docker, J. Meegan
Best Players: D. Forer, P. Harrison, S. Logan, S. Payne, L. Rose, T. Ward

Reserves
Journeying to Elsternwick over many seasons, has never been a good thought for Saints players. The ground with difficult boundaries,loose sandy ground surface and change room facilities and kiosk a long walk from the playing area, do nothing to improve the visit. We sympathise with the Elsternwick club in their endeavors to get improved ground and pavilion facilities.

Wind conditions were difficult with little protection available except for the north east pocket where it was evident that goals could be scored well. Several goals were scored from the centre square and Elsternwick were quick to realize this. The home ground knowledge certainly pays off in these conditions.

Saints found it hard to score against the wind but the back line worked well and kept Elsternwick to only a 13 point lead at quarter time.
Saints bombarded the goal in the second quarter but found it difficult to get it through the big sticks kicking 1 gl 9 pts to lead by 1 pt at half time. Squeak was having a great game but spraying kicks wildly around the goal area. Bails in his first hit out showed the boys how to attack the goal and Weller was again being a ball magnet setting up many plays.

After the break, Saints again attacked the goal area repeatedly, to lead 6 gl 14 pts to the Wicks 3 goal 6 pts.
The last quarter saw the Saints draw further ahead and run out winners by 31 pts.

ELSTERNWICK 3.3 3.4 3.6 6.9-45
ST MARY'S SAL 1.2 2.11 6.14 10.16-76

Seniors
Again with several team changes, the Saints were keen to keep up their winning run. Players were finding the wind difficult and the very high ball bounces from the undulating ground surface fooled players from both sides on many occasions.

Hill was again dangerous up forward, Purc was everywhere, Cam was driving the ball forward from the packs, Goose was enjoying his return to the club and his team mates, although finding it difficult at times to get with the pace of the game was contributing well.

First quarter was very even, although the Saints were unable to use the wind well, they led by 3 pts at quarter time.

Saints attacked well in second quarter but could not find the goals, kicking 2 gls 6 bh having 14 shots to the wicks 8 shots but were able to lead by 1pt at the break.

Fired up the Saints came back in third quarter and lead by 26 pts at three quarter time.
The final quarter against the wind saw the Saints show their supremacy and ran out winners by 39 pts.

ELSTERNWICK 1.2 4.4 5.7 8.10-58
ST MARY'S SAL 1.5 3.11 8.15 13.19-97

ST MARY'S SAL
Goal Kickers: M. Hill 5, C. Adam 2, L. D'Astoli, L. Kelly, R. Stevens, S. Oldfield, C. Ampt, A. Dwyer
Best Players: M. Hill, S. Oldfield, C. Armstrong, J. Fisher, A. Bonnici, S. Stevens

Next match is on 13th June when the Saints meet St. Johns at Ferndale Park This is a most important match for the Saints which if won, could place them in a great position on the ladder. Make it a date, come on down and watch the boys as they strive to keep up a winning streak.

Seen at the grounds.
Clubbies playing at home early allows spectators for the senior games to call in and check out the game for quarter or so. Thanks to those who regularly support the Clubbies
* * * * *

Did you see?
Tommy Mc Dermott in the lovely multi colored pants on Saturday. I am told this was a penalty for not performing up to Leader Group standards, hence the decorative pants had to be worn. Noticed Franger also was the recipient of the penalty gear last Saturday. How embarrassing!!!

Bails run, what seemed a half marathon, around the road flank, before disposing of the ball for a goal. The umpire stood by amazed at such skill and speed and being fully caught up in the play forgot about the legal distance a player is allowed to run with the ball. Well done Bails!! Obviously it wasn't Leo officiating at the time.

Did you see Franger nearly pull in a good mark right on the goal line, only to be deemed over the line by the goal umpire, on his second grab. Strikes me he was robbed of a certain goal. Bad Luck Franger.

Div, promoted up to Seniors after his good game last week, spear out that hand pass, resulting in a good goal. The coach was suitably impressed too.

Those snaps by Marc Hill, bringing up good goals in the third quarter, especially that grubber, bouncing ball, over the Wicks player's head, when he thought he had it covered, to score a major. Good Stuff, I wished I had the camera fired up for that one.

The great camaraderie of the Reserves players all in club walk out gear in full support of the Senior teams performances.
This is great to have that off ground support on away games.

Also all the parents now regularly turning up to watch sons play along with other supporters.

The Armstrong brigade, down from Yea, to watch Cam and Lachie. Geof Lane up from the peninsula to support the club and his son Adam, who is now doing a sterling job, as Reserves Runner and Senior Timekeeper. That is a true Clubman

Regulars Albert Vickery, Don Malcolm, Ron Redding, Peter Dwyer, Rick Burns, Michael Learmonth, Norbert Graetzer (President and Water Boy), Doug Oldfield, David Logan, Alan and Mrs Marshall and many more.

Get Well
Albert Vickery's wife Lorna is in Cabrini at the moment and we wish Lorna well and a speedy recovery from all at St. Mary's Salesian AFC.
From Ireland we hear that Jezza is recovering from his teeth "extraction" episode and we send our best wishes and look forward to catching up with him on his return to Australia later this year.

To all those players recovering from injury we wish you well and look forward to an influx of players on the training track in the next week or two as you return.

A Sad Note
We learned after the game that Elsternwick stalwarts, the Mahony Family had suffered a family bereavement on Friday but in true club spirit they all fulfilled their commitments to the club. The boys certainly gave their all in trying to take out the four points for their club.
All at St.Mary's Salesian extend our sincere sympathy to the family at this sad time.

Have you booked your table for the Ball on 20th June 2009, if not check out the flyer on the web page and give Dizzy a ring.

There is also a number of luncheons coming up over the next few weeks so why not ring your mates and get them down to support the club.

Responsible Serving of Alcohol
VAFA Rules allow for serving of alcohol during the luncheon between 12 noon and 1.45pm. after which time tables glasses etc must be cleared. The bar then opens again at the completion of the senior game.
Please be aware and abide by these requirements.