Covid has struck again at the UFC, with what seems to be an increasing number of players struck down by the great virus. Despite the adversity, most clubs were victorious with 5 of 9 wins across the boards. The Womens’ teams were hit the hardest, with 21 players in protocols over the weekend.

Next week, the A-Grade head down to City Beach for a night game against old foes West Coast Cowan before a much needed bye over the WA Day long weekend.

Steinepreis Paganin A-Grade

University 9.7 61 def by Bassendean 11.7 73

The league team were again ravaged by Covid and untimely injuries to key figures Ben Fitzgerald & Sean Trombetta, adding to further selection headaches. The coaching staff had to make 8 changes to last week’s team, with Sam Garstone making his league debut along with three of our talented A Colts in Cyrus Upson, Charlie Carrington-Jones and Kyle Lim. 

The first half went back and forth with both teams scoring off turnovers and skill errors. Key forward Leigh Kohlmann was looking dangerous, kicking all 5 University goals in the first half. Young gun Finn Moloney was his typical hard-nosed best, winning clearances and providing integral ball movement from the midfield. 

The second half was a story of “what if”. Uni made some critical errors with our decision making and skill execution as we turned the ball over at crucial areas of the ground. The score was tied up with several minutes to go, but our ability to execute the small things proved too costly, giving Bassendean two easy goals to win the game. 

Leigh Kohlmann was a clear best on ground, kicking 8 of our 9 goals in what was a forward masterclass. It’s bitterly disappointing that we couldn’t get the 4 points, falling agonisingly short for the 3rd week in a row. The team remains optimistic they can get back to their best football with several players due to return over the next fortnight. 

Our next fixture is a night game against West Coast @ City Beach Oval.

Best: Kohlmann, O’Hara, Stewart, Alforque, Moloney

4 Pines A-Reserves

University 7.9 51 defeated by Bassendean 7.3 45

The Ressies were raring to go on a cloudless 20 degree day. After a few disappointing results of late, the boys saw the game as a great opportunity to bounce back, despite a number of COVID outs.

Bassendean skipped out to an early lead and put Uni under pressure early, making the most of some ill disciplined play. With our usual ruck stocks unavailable, young Tom Doggart stepped up and tried to wrestle some ascendancy in the midfield against a significantly larger opponent. Winmar, Gajewski, Fleabag and debutant Ryan Murphy dug in to give our side some momentum, ending the quarter a goal behind. 

A strong second quarter display saw Uni threaten to put the game away early, but some late lapses of concentration and skill lef the game in the balance at the main break. A perfectly executed left foot lazer from Gajewski was the highlight of the second term, resulting directly in a Uni goal. 

The second half was largely controlled by Uni, with Orr and Morfesse patrolling across half-back and setting up the play nicely. The game opened up nicely, with some good run and carry from Uni handing us a 3 goal buffer by the time Murphy went back and put through his first for the club. However, Bassendean were unrelenting with their effort, piling on 2 late goals to ensure the game went right down to the wire. Uni managed to hold their nerve, ending up 6 point victors.

Special mention to Jordan May who returned to the side and booted 4 important goals, while Doggart toiled all day in the ruck. It was overall a solid performance from the side

Special thanks to our resident top-up player Nick “Ricey” Ryan who is always keen to help out when required, as well as Andy Diamond who pulled the boots on for the Ressies for the first time in 5+ years.

Best: Orr, May, Doggart, Morfesse, Gajewski, Murphy, Halliday, Evans, Winmar

Goals: 4 May, 1 Angelkov, Waddell, Murphy 

Phil Scott Colts

University 15.11 101 defeated Bassendean 5.5 35

Brewhub C4-Grade Pirates

University 11.4 70 defeated by Noranda 15.9 99

BDO C4-Reserves Dingoes

University 16.17 113 defeated Noranda 4.2 26

The first game on the road in a month saw the dingoes hitting the freeway and straight of the off ramp into lightning park to play the Noranda Hawks. 

The first quarter was an arm wrestle, with the hawks providing hard attack at the contested ball and proving accurate in front of the big sticks. The dingoes defenders worked tirelessly, with Benny James and Sammy Harris provided plenty of run to booster a flat dingoes side. 

For the rest of the game, the dingoes pulled together their most complete 3 quarters of footy for the year. Ed Galluccio saw reward for his huge efforts at training, kicking his first goal as a dingo. The midfielders started to take advantage of Sam Butlers ruck dominance, with Matty Moroney racking up plenty of the footy and hitting the scoreboard to help the dingoes come out as 87 point victors.

Brett Jones Colts 

University 9.11 65 defeated Swan Athletic 6.9 39

Subi Hotel Laurie Keene Colts C-Gulls

Uni 15.11 101 defeated Swan Valley 2.8 20

The Laurie Keeeene Colts put on a dominant display on Saturday up against the boys from the Valley. The theme for the day was to run and hunt in packs, which the 23 plucky Gulls delivered in spades.  

The midfield group continued its sublime form, outhunting on the inside and out working on the spread. Willo and Barbs refused to get tackled, Ric was biting off beautiful inside kicks while Huddo and Wheato continued in their consistent and crucial roles. 

With the skipper and spiritual leader of the forward line in Heath and Safety protocols, along with some other forced changes a new look Gulls forward line took to MCG2. It didn’t faze the squad, who bat deep and meshed well. The cookie monster put in a trademark performance, working hard all day while unleashing some very entertaining goal celebrations. Broags looked comfortable at centre half forward and could’ve ended with a bag if not for some dodgy goal kicking while Miller put in his best game for the season. 

The backline had a bit to contend with in the third, with the game slipping into some back and forth footy but they stood up to the task. Oh-Captain-my-captian for the day, Jason Holmes, went on a silly good run from half back to half forward before handballing it straight to the opposition and Foz looked very comfortable in his Gulls debut.

Sir Swamp has been contacted to determine if Tim Gillman can claim to be the first man to ever kick a goal for his own side as well as the opposition (while rushing a behind from 15m out). Eagerly awaiting the response. 

Smokin’ Joe capped off a great win for the Gulls with his 4th snag after the siren as we turn to the winless Warnbro next week. 

Best – Willo, Barbs, Ric, Smokin’, Wheat, Conk, Cooky, Gill, Huddo, Jett, Broags

Goals – Smokin’ 4, Broags 3, Rod, Cooky 2, Fish, Bray, Andy, Jett

Crossing Law A-Grade Women Stormers

University 4.3 27 defeated by Kingsley 6.2 38 

Steinepreis C2-Grade Women Peacocks

University 2.3 15 defeated by 4.6 30