BEARS TOO GOOD FOR STRUGGLING SAINTS – Kew played impressive footy to overwhelm a hard-working St. Marys Salesian by a comfortable margin at Victoria Park, Kew. After a slow start, Kew Reserves proved far too talented for an undermanned SMS Reserves winning easily. West Brunswick was too strong for St. Marys Salesian Womens Team (1) eventually prevailing by 61 points at Ferndale park, Glen Iris. West Brunswick Reserves accounted for an understrength SMS Womens Team (2) by a big margin.
AROUND THE GROUND – We travelled to Victoria Park, Kew for the round 5 match against Kew coached by Ian Aitken. The Bears were in the four and have rebuilt their senior team with a number of talented younger players. Although it was a fairly cold day, ground and weather conditions were good, but we did have a very light shower of rain late in the afternoon. Kew had an extremely well attended Club luncheon underway and special guest was Josh Frydenberg (Federal Treasurer) who was wearing his Kew scarf and likely seeking votes for the upcoming Federal election. Good to see our old mate Dick Pickles amongst the Kew faithful and enjoying the day’s activities and my best wishes to Dick’s son David (a keen Kew fan) currently based up at Albury.
Disappointingly, there were very few SMS supporters visible no doubt due to the Club’s lack of onfield success in the season to date. Some of those sighted were Greg Baum (Saints President) in attendance early before heading back to Glen Iris to support the womens sides. Matt Ellis (who brought his dog along) for a run in the park, Ethan Rocke and Judy Howell (Team Managers), Neal Barrie, James Barrie (currently out injured), Peter Jones with dog ‘Wally’ and good to see former player Jono McCoy again. Of course, our regular helpers were there including Jack Elliston (Club Trainer) another player currently on the injured list, Matt Higgins and Adam Howell (Assistant Coaches) and the superfit Ant Murphy (Firsts runner). Apologies to others not mentioned in this report.
A number of people took part in our weekly canteen hot food survey, and I can advise that Peter Jones rated the meat pie close to a 10 out of 10 (hot tasty and very enjoyable). Peter also sampled the hot dog (with or without cheese) as did Neil Barrie, Matt Ellis and myself and collectively we rated this item an 8.5 out of 10 (bread roll soft and fresh, cheese tasty, saveloy very hot and tasty, while the tomato and mustard sauce was good quality) well worth $5-00. Finally, Greg Baum tried the Chicken and Mayo Roll and was a little less impressed rating this delicacy a 6.5 out of 10. Sincere thanks to the gentlemen serving in the canteen who always look after us well at Kew.
Meantime, our thanks to Peter Leman, Mitch Dupljanin and those supporting the Womens teams who welcomed old adversary West Brunswick to Ferndale Park, Glen Iris. The Sainters have had many keenly fought tussles with highly respected Westies in recent years and always a pleasure for the two clubs to meet-up at Glen Iris. SMS Womens sides are still looking for new players, so if interested please check out the SMS website or come along to a Saturday game.
As usual, we acknowledge the work of Ben Coleman (Reserves field umpire), Jack Borland (Firsts goal umpire), Neil Barrie (Reserves goal umpire), Paul Grant (Womens field umpire), field, goal and boundary umpires in all games, timekeepers, physios, runners, water carriers and others who assist the sides each week.
This week five changes to the Saints Mens Ones team with James Briggs, Jos Op’t Hoog, Ananth Pathirana, Josh Tanner and Karl Wissell included. Kew were wearing special gold coloured promotional jumpers in the Ones match as a Bears fund-raiser, and our Club agreed to wear a neutral VAFA strip to avoid a colour clash. Originally, VAFA headquarters sent out a grey jumper but when counted there were only 20 (a couple short). So we had a second try and were provided with a green strip but on this occasion received only 18 (four short). Thankfully, the third offering, a pink strip had sufficient numbers for our 22 players !!
In next Saturdays round, the Saints Mens Ones and Twos face PEGS (Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School) at Ferndale Park while the SMS Womens Firsts and Reserves play Melbourne University (away).
Stay positive everyone.
Go Saints !!
Cheers, Ron.