Uni were struck by an unexpected availability crisis in round 4, the likes of which are usually not seen until the depths of the Australian Winter / European summer. A combination of untimely injuries and a Rock Concert down south (GTM) meant that coaches and managers were sent scrambling to field a side just days before the games.

Despite this, we saw strong performances across the board and it was fantastic to see some retired favourites pulling on the green and blue for this first time this season.

Spill Crew A Grade

University 11.24 90 defeated West Coast 4.6 30

The league side rebounded well with a solid victory against West Coast. A loss last week against powerhouse Curtin Uni certainly had the team fired up to get back on the winners list.

Heading into the game, conditions weren’t favourable with a strong easterly testing both teams kicking skills. University had all of the play in the first half but couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard, going into quarter time with 3.6 and half time 5.14.

Our team defence caused numerous turnovers but our execution was lacking, missing set shots and the ball not quite rolling our way when trying to score.

The on-ballers however were clicking, with the likes of veteran Dwayne Lake providing his usual clearance work and first year senior, Cyrus Upson having one of his best games of his short league career, showcasing his skill and toughness at the contest.

The two biggest highlights of the game was debutant Kurt Crudeli (brother of Uni legend David Crudeli) jailing his first goal in league footy. A great reward for a player who’s been on the radar for several weeks. The other was small forward in Tim Hogan, kicking his first goal in league, breaking a string of 15 behinds!

Overall, it was a pleasing performance from the team with everyone contributing to our win. Next round we travel up north to take on the dangerous Kingsway which will be another great test for our young squad.

Goals: Trombetta, Donaldson 2, Barton, Crudeli, Hogan, Colvin, Love, Mentink, Upson

Best: (5) Colvin (4) Lake (3) Donaldson, Upson (2) Barton, Hogan (1) Hendo, Stewart, Lim

Steinepreis Paganin A Reserves

University 8.8 56 defeated West Coast 3.5 23

The Reserves have marched onto their third win of the season in breezy conditions at MCG1 on Saturday afternoon. A total of 11 changes were made to the side that played Wesley last week bringing back a few familiar faces into the fold. The ins were as follows:

• Diamo;
• T-Ferg.;
• Bali;
• Donny;
• Benno;
• Ricey;
• Harry Don;
• Dicko;
• Pat Wilson;
• Chaz Flint; and
• Matt Davies.

Off the back of these substantial changes the message from the coaching group was simple, just enjoy playing with an awesome bunch of people both past and present. Almost instantaneously this was rewarded with a 3 goal to 0 first quarter. Davies, Chaz and Pat (unfortunately 0.4 on the day) provided great targets up forward, with Dave the standout getting on the end of a couple early.

From there conditions worsened and to West Coast’s credit they hung tough for the next three quarters. Cass King was proving very effective (once again) in the midfield and was ultimately the barometer inside.

Charlie ‘Jordan de Goey’ Caldow was chucked inside as well also providing  an important spark. Bez proved very effective down back as well intercepting everything and being an important part of our movement from half back. Kuta, meanwhile, rucked the entire game out and was also invaluable on the day.

Overall, days like those are tough and sometimes you need to grind out wins. We did that and it gets us to 3-1. The Ressies go out to Kingsway next week who knocked over Scarborough yesterday in what we expect to be a very competitive game.

Finally, a special thanks to everyone for stepping in. It’s always good to have people help when the numbers are tight and ensure we can remain competitive in a tough game. So from the coaching group, it was great having you boys down and hopefully it is not the last time this season.

Goals – Dave (3); Flinty (2); Dono, Brogs & Caldow (1)

Votes – Cass (5); Dave (4); Bez & Kuta (3); Dicko & Bali (2); Diamo, Lou Mac and Caldow (1)

Red Cloud A Colts

University 6.6 42 defeated West Coast 3.1 19

The colters had an absolute dog fight of a game against a fired up west coast that rocked up seriously wanting to prove something.

The boys started off really well with the defensive transition resulting in a large number of inside fifties but due to the wet weather we just weren’t able to gain any reward on the scoreboard.

The midfielders went to serious work all game but due to a lack of accountability and discipline we gave away far too many free kicks that gave them most of their chances to convert and closed the lead to only 6 points going into the last break.

We told the boys at 3 quarter time that if they wanted to come away with this win they had to all contribute and put together everything we have worked and use the fitness that we worked so hard on to put them into the ground.

To the boys credit the last quarter was outstanding with the backs being absolutely outstanding with Jackson Hayden and Trent Giles leading from the front controlling the tempo of the game. Nic Cooley and Lewis Crump also went to another level, going effort to effort all over the ground and giving us a load more of inside 50’s of which we finally converted into majors.

We came away with a 5 goal win and couldn’t be prouder of the way the boys showed maturity as a group and the eagerness to keep being relentless no matter what the score is. 4-0 is a great start to the season and we will try and keep that streak going for the rest of the season.

Votes:(5) Cools, (4) Trent, Crumpy, (3) Southo, Jacko, (2) Saami, (1) Manus, Sauce

Goals:(2) Saami, (1) Hugo, Southo, Cools, Bro

gues, Woolfy

Bike Bar Stormers

University 0.3 3 defeated by Curtin Uni Wesley 4.4 28

GPA Engineering Peacocks

University 5.1 31 defeated Secret Harbour 4.5 29

4 Pines Pirates 

University 6.3 39 defeated by Fremantle CBC 5.11 41

The Pirates played a tight game against fake tough guys Fremantle CBC in round 4, ultimately falling short in a close contest at the Morris Buzzacott Reserve.

Once again, the Pirates were slow out of the gates and found themselves playing catch-up for most of the game. The boys struggled to execute their skills early in swirling conditions and CBC were able to capitalise on our inability to shut down their ball movement.

Justy’s move into the midfield gave the boys a spark in the second quarter, and Skaz’s attack on the ball and clean hands in the backline kept us in the game. As the game progressed, we began to back ourselves in and play the brand of footy that had won us two on the trot. Smally had his kicking boots on and nailed some important goals from long range, with our accurate kicking keeping us in the game at 3 quarter time.

Despite challenging conditions, we fought hard throughout the game and were able to wrestle back some momentum heading into the last quarter. Employing a concept apparently foreign to the home team, the boys focused on winning the ball at the contest and actually playing footy to help us hit the front. Fleabag’s relentless hunt for the ball was massive in the final quarter and was in stark contrast to the MMA tactics employed by his opposition.

A late free kick in front of goal handed CBC the win and while the result was disappointing, the Pirates can take heart from their strong performance and will continue to work on their skills and team cohesion. We may not have taken home the points, but we did get to take home a few bags of wood chips and we’ll look to bounce back next week when we take on Cottesloe at home. The side will be buoyed by the expected return from injury of star player Blake “Skip Bin Magee” Barrow. 

Votes: (5) Skaz; (4) Gussy; (3) Fleabag and Barbs; (2) Noz and Justy; (1) Dyl, Frase, and Blackers

Goals: (3) Fleabag; (2) Smally; (1) Blackers

Byfields Dingoes

University 7.4 46 defeated Fremantle CBC 4.6 30

The Dingoes headed to Morris Buzzacott for a grand final replay against CBC. Despite being a venue with little to write home about, the game represented a huge opportunity for the new guard to establish themselves in a big game (with top vote-getters Jerk and Butler away). You could tell the boys were up for it, with just over 50% of the playing group arriving on time (a season-high mark).

The Dingoes dominated the first quarter, bringing great pressure, and taking a 3 goal lead into quarter time, with classy goals from Erk Dog and Smokin Jo. Unfortunately the second quarter was a much tougher affair, with CBC taking advantage of the wind, kicking 3 straight goals before a settler just before half-time had the Dingoes in front.

After a rousing half-time speech from Catta, the Dingoes again took control. Up forward, Harps was jumping over small buildings, while Chun was untouchable through the midfield, and down back, Prowsey decided to turn into Luke Hodge circa 2008 GF (although I’m sure most readers have already heard about it).

Despite only taking a 2.5 goal lead into the last quarter (kicking into the wind) a massive defensive effort in the last saw the boys home, with the back 6 conceding the solitary goal despite repeated CBC entries. The tackling pressure from the forwards and midfield was exceptional, and Tully kicked the sealer with 4 minutes to go.

Post game, the cold shower in the CBC changerooms did little to dampen the spirits, as the Dingoes celebrated an impressive win against another premiership fancy.

Votes: 5: Chun, 4: Demon, Prowsey, 3: Harps, Haz Leo, 2: Fos, Nado, 1: Smokin Jo, Catta

Subiaco Hotel C-Gulls

University 5.5 35 defeated North Beach 3.8 26