Spill Crew A Grade

University 9.7 61 defeated Fremantle CBC 8.4 52

The league side was able to overcome a last-quarter comeback (and a poor start to the game) to run out 9-point winners against the talented Fremantle CBC. Over the years, University and Fremantle CBC have encountered numerous close battles and Round 6 was no exception. 

The visitors started off hot, kicking the first 4 goals of the game, with Uni barely being able to get a look going inside 50, but to the boys credit, they were able to capitalise late and put on 2 goals before quarter time.

The second and third quarters saw an increase in defensive pressure and more daring ball movement as our young guns in Upson and Love took the game on in the middle parts of the ground. Tim Hogan was moved down back to join his best friends Hendo and Kyle Lim, a change which paid off, as the birthday boy enjoyed taking on the game. Uni entered the final change, 20 point leaders.

The last term was much like the start of the first, Fremantle CBC exploded out of the blocks with the first 4 goals, putting Uni on the back foot immediately. Despite the disappointment of last week, the side continued to battle and throw themselves at the challenge. With 3 minutes left to go, Silky Evans took a mark in the centre of the ground and was awarded a 50m penalty, which he calmly slotted home. With only 90 seconds left, the livewire forward, Henrick Alforque kicked a brilliant crumbing goal to seal the game. 

The coaching staff highlighted the team’s ability to fight and get the game back on our terms (twice). Our eyes quickly shift to Trinity Aquinas as we head to Billy Grayden to take on the ladder leaders. 

Goals: O’Hara, Evans, Alforque 2, Colvin, Dent, Trombetta

Best: (5) Upson, (4) Zolnier-Owens, (3) Love, Henriksen, (2) Lim, Wilson, (1) Colvin, Hogan

Steinepreis Paganin A Reserves

University 10.6 66 defeated Fremantle CBC 7.7 49

The Reserves have moved to 5 wins on the season with a 17-point win against a very competitive Fremantle CBC. The CBC game represented the start of a tough stretch of games for the A stream which will ultimately go a long way to defining our season. The message from the coaches on the day was to be ruthless against the typically physical CBC outfit and match them on this front. 

This mindset was immediately reflected with a sensational 5 minute burst to open the game with 3 goals to set the tone. Early highlights include Milney selling a whole bunch of candy, dancing through multiple opposition players, and jailing a great goal and Gaj looking like prime Judd with his burst out of the midfield. CBC found one later in the quarter, but we still held a 2 goal lead at the first break. 

The second quarter was an arm wrestle. We didn’t kick any, CBC kicked 1, and we held a 1-goal lead at the main break.  

From there though, following a reminder of how this group has been finishing games all season, the Reserves blitzed CBC with a 5-goal to 2-goal third quarter. Cruddy was instrumental in this change of momentum, with Captain Gaj and young Brogs proving to be effective as well. Bali was rock solid down back, with Bez continuing to look dangerous as swingman forward finding his way onto the scorer’s sheet. 

In the last CBC, to their credit, continued to push and despite Quincey missing from the top of the goal square** we managed to see the game out and win by 17 points.

It was an important win against an experienced CBC outfit. The boys are continuing to grow each week and are showing they are more than up to the challenge of the Reserves level. We move on to the next tough game in this stretch against TAs at the shoebox. If we can match the level we played during the first and third quarters, I have full confidence in this group continuing to build on its great start. 

Votes – Cruddy (5); Gaj (3); Brogs, Bali and Quincey (3); Kozzie, Ted, TL & Lachie (2); Kuta & Cass (1)

Goals – Quincey (4); Cruddy (2); Bez, Gaj, Lachie & Milney (1)

Red Cloud A Colts

University 13.7 85 defeated Fremantle CBC 1.8 14

Bike Bar Stormers

University 7.5 47 defeated Rossmoyne 2.4 16

GPA Engineering Peacocks

University 4.6 30 defeated Kalamunda 2.2 14

The Peacocks made it 5 wins from 6 in a tough contest away at Kalamunda.

Uni jumped out of the blocks fast, kicking the first 2 goals through Soph Mac within 8 minutes, dominating possession and clearances. Cass Mc in her first game back in the ruck after an I’ll fated attempt last year was huge, and Bebe and Phub put their heads over everything to get things rolling. After a bit of an arm wrestle mid-term, Kalamunda fought back late with a couple of goals to get within 1 point at quarter time. 

Kalamunda got on top around the ball in the second, but despite the Peacocks backline being under constant threat, the likes of stand in skipper Puca, Bertelli, Bunny and Bash repelled all challenges and we went into the main break without a score being registered by either side for the quarter. 

Sahara was moved into the midfield after the break with immediate success, racking up

possessions and some quality clearances. We scored a single goal through Sofie ‘The G Train’ Gilmartin, and a huge effort by Holly Rost to beat 3 opponents and lay a team lifting tackle late in the quarter to deny Kalamunda an easy inside 50 meant we held an 8 point lead going into the last quarter.

The Peacocks picked up where they left off to start the last, and a dominant final term was capped off with the highlight of the day when 2nd game Belgian exchange student Auke snapped truly from the pocket to seal the win and earn a raucous response from the Peacocks on and off the field.

A really great result against a tough opposition – we’ve set the season up well, and look forward to continuing to improve as the season progresses 🦚🦚

Goals: Soph Mac 2, G Train, Auke

Best: Pilot, Cass, Cavalot, Bash, Sahara

4 Pines Pirates 

University 5.8 38 defeated by Winnacott 12.13 85

The Pirates faced a tough challenge as they traveled to the Winnacott Reserve to take on the Winnacott Eagles. After a pattern of staring games slowly began to emerge, the boys were determined to set the tone early.

We began the game in impressive fashion after a season-best performance from Ken in the pre-game address, winning plenty of contested ball and applying stifling forward pressure. Our efforts were paying off as we were able to lock the ball inside our forward half and generate repeat inside the 50s.

However, despite the promising start, we struggled to maintain a consistent level of effort throughout the game. Winacott seized upon the team’s lapses in concentration and capitalised on their opportunities to apply consistent scoreboard pressure after the first quarter. The Pirates found it difficult to regain their earlier momentum and were unable to mount a sustained comeback.

Despite the disappointing result, there were positives to take away from the match. The team’s improved performance in the opening quarter showed our ability to play a competitive brand of footy that can match it with the league’s top sides.

Some highlights included Vet’s team-lifting intercept and long-range goal, Benno’s bone-crunching bump and step-ladder imitation, Ari’s lovely left-foot snag, and Snicko’s halftime oranges.

As the season progresses, we’ll need to aim at bringing a consistent four-quarter effort before we’re going to pose a serious challenge. This week presents the perfect opportunity, with a massive home fixture against one of our great rivals in Trinity Aquinas.

Best: (5) Col Frenchman; (4) Piers; (3) Vet and Snicko; (2) Apples and Blackers; (1) Ari and Noz

Goals: (2) Heavy Heavyson; (1) Blackers, Vet, and Ari

Byfields Dingoes

University 9.13 67 defeated by Winnicott 4.6 30

The Dingoes took on the Eagles in what was the first-ever clash between the University and Winnacott Football clubs. While ChatGPT is still unsure whether Winnacott is a suburb or football side, the Eagles were more than handy, and it was a tough contest throughout.

Fortunately, the Dingoes put in one of the best efforts of the season, eventually winning by 6 goals. The Dingoes were ably served by Chun and Goody in the midfield, with Butler dominating in the ruck and around the ground. Big Red was also a huge presence in the backline, taking numerous intercept marks and generally marshalling the backline.

An important win for the Dingoes, leaving them in 2nd place, with the easier part of their fixture to come in the next few weeks.

Votes: 5: Chun, 4: Butler, 3: Goody, Big Red, 2: Seany, Sammy, 1: Tully

Subiaco Hotel C-Gulls

University 13.10 88 defeated Curtin Uni Wesley 2.5 17

Another good showing for the gulls this week, amid mass changes as we look to spread the love on games and often positions. We have much room still to improve however, having developed a habit of giving consistent 70% effort.

We loopholed Noz for skipper so he had a really fun birthday and that is what matters. 

Votes: 5: Bowlsey 4: Buckman, 3: Dowling & Noz (happy birthday), 2: Shea & Rem, 1: TMax & Mokops 

Goals: 5: Dowling, 4: Noz, 1: Gravy, Franga, Cookie