2024 ROUND 13 SENIOR MEN’S MATCH REPORT
Round 13, Saturday 27 July 2024 vs St Kevin’s Old Boys FC at Elsternwick Park
1st quarter: OMFC 0.1.1 SKOBFC 1.2.8
2nd quarter: OMFC 2.5.17 SKOBFC 3.6.24
3rd quarter: OMFC 4.8.32 SKOBFC 5.9.39
4th quarter: OMFC 6.12.48 SKOBFC 6.12.48
Goals: Adam Richardson (2), Oscar Hanisch (1), Ned Nichols (1), Will Nichols (1), Jackson Paine (1).
Best players: Adam Richardson, Ben Harding, Lachie Haysman, Ned Nichols, Sam Wundke, Jackson Paine.
Team: Jeremy a’Beckett (26), Spencer Anderson (36), Nicky Christian (29), Harry Cooper (23), Will Dethridge (12), Charlie Dowling (25), Oscar Hanisch (54), Ben Harding (8), Lachie Haysman (9), Sam Laube (20), Ed Michelmore (4), Charlie Nairn (47), Ned Nichols (3), Will Nichols (1), Jackson Paine (Captain, 39), Will Richards (14), Adam Richardson (17), Jack Spargo (24), Lachie Swaney (16), Lachie Templeton (44), Gus Williams (33), Sam Wundke (7).
Match Report
The OMs welcomed back Nicky Christian and Ned Nichols and debuted Oscar Hanisch. They replaced Charlie McKay, Henry Nicholls and Ollie Tyrer.
It was another miserable wet day, with showers as the game began and 2mm falling during it. The WNW to westerly to NW breeze was only noticeable at the start of the game, but it quickly dropped off and played no real role in it. The 8- and 9-degree temperatures were said to feel like a balmy 5 or 6 degrees.
Although St Kevin’s scored an early point, it took 12 minutes to put its first goal on the board as the OMs kept the pressure on. It was not one-way traffic, and it was a surprisingly even contest. Sam Laube had a set shot from the SE but hit the eastern goal post, making it only 1-8 at the 19-minute mark. The Dark Blues attacked for some time but were unable to get a viable shot at goal as the Skevvies flooded their defence. At quarter time, the conditions did not explain the low scoring, which was almost solely attributable to both sides going at it, but the eighth-placed OMs prevented the 2nd-placed Skevs from doing much damage by taking responsibility for their opponents.
St Kevin’s nearly scored a goal early in the second quarter, but it was the OMs that kicked straight: Adam Richardson helped set up Will Nichols, directly in front of goal, about 35m out, and his set shot made it 7-9, five minutes into the quarter. A good even battle followed for the next six minutes until Captain Jackson Paine snapped a fantastic goal from the NE pocket to give the OMs a 13-9 lead – which the OMs held until St Kevin’s accurate response at the 14-minute mark. Jacko took a set shot from the NW, but in a similar kick to the one he took against Old Brighton the previous week, the footy screwed around on its axis and just missed. At the other end, an OM defender kicked into the man on the mark, with the Skevvie snapping a goal for a 15-22 lead. St Kevin’s spent some time in attack, but the defence was a Dark Blue Rock of Gibraltar as it held them off. The OMs were let off when the Skevs kicked the footy into the base of the goal post at the 30-minute mark.
Both teams had been inaccurate, but with the OMs only trailing by seven points at halftime due to their consistent effort, their belief and enthusiasm as they left the changerooms for the third quarter was genuine.
The persistent light showers stopped, it was very still, and the OMs dominated the first three minutes of the third quarter. Oscar Hanisch then made his debut a dream debut: he marked in the SW pocket, about 25m out, took time and care over his preparation for the set shot, and celebrated his goal before the footy sailed through the big sticks. It was 23-24. The OMs continued to attack for the next five minutes but the Skevs made the forward line very congested, preventing any shots at goal, and then went coast-to-coast for a goal at the nine-minute mark. They continued to attack, but it took a free kick for them to goal again to take a 23-37 lead 17 minutes into the quarter for the game’s biggest lead. Was this the beginning of the end of the OMs’ hopes?
The OMs won in the middle and Charlie Dowling had the footy in the SW pocket with only grass between him and the goals and no opponent within cooee. However, rather than running into goal he kicked from about 30m out on an angle and hit the SE point post. Will Nichols snapped and scored a behind, but the OMs persevered in a tight, tough contest up forward. Richardson then received a free kick with which his opponent disagreed, handing him the benefit of a 50m penalty that gave him a goal from the goal square. At the 24-minute mark it was 30-37, keeping the OMs in touch. St Kevin’s sought revenge, running from the centre bounce, but missing. Ned Nichols’s teammates gave him a set shot from just inside the arc in the SW. His kick made the distance, but just missed. Laube, so often good for three goals a game, and the OMs’ best kick for goal, then missed a set shot from the SE too. The drizzle had returned.
After all the trials, tribulations and efforts of the third quarter, the margin remained the same: seven points. The OMs were still in it.
Too often this season, when the OMs have been in a good position at the last break, they have been unable to counter their opponents’ effort and skills in the final quarter. From the first bounce of the fourth quarter, the OMs looked switched on, were switched on, and gave it their all. The signs were all good.
St Kevin’s went hard, but only scored two behinds. It was then the OMs’ time to go forward and to also miss opportunities close to goal. Richo eventually got the footy and had a set shot but missed. He was decked after his shot, which he was allowed to reboot – literally. Kicking from the NE about 30m or more out, this time he was on target. At the eight minute-mark it was 38-41. The Dark Blues attacked again, Lachie Templeton snapped for the lead – and hit the right goal post. It was 39-41: would the OMs win it, point by point?
The OMs were dominating and continued their attack. After a Skevvie was taken down in a tackle that did not upset the umpires, yet another spot fire broke out, resulting in a free kick being plucked out and given to Ned. From slightly east of directly in front, about 30m out, he sent his set shot through the middle to give the OMs an amazing 45-41 lead, 18 minutes into the quarter. Could another goal finish it?
OM hearts were in mouths as St Kevin’s scored a behind, but remained in attack until a goal was scored at the 23-minute mark for a 45-48 lead. From the centre bounce the OMs emerged, with Dowling setting up Richo, whose set short from about the arc in the NW missed to the right. Dowling gave everything to win a contest for the loose ball in the NE and then kicked to Lachie Haysman, whose set shot fell agonisingly short, in the goal square, from which it was rushed after a stoppage. The OMs trailed by a single point.
St Kevin’s kicked into the NW pocket, but Will Nichols soon managed to send it back inside the arc. Laube was given a free kick for a high tackle, and took his set shot from directly in front, about five metres inside the top of the arc, to level or win the game. No pressure – with one minute left. He pulled his kick to the right. It was 48 all. St Kevin’s kicked back in and marked in the centre square. Siren. A draw. A pin falling on the oval could have been heard, in the silent emptiness that follows a draw – particularly one so hard-fought.
However, most OM supporters were happy. A minute earlier, all the OMs’ efforts seemed destined to end in yet another loss. This result gave them two premiership points, and a critical two point buffer between 8th and 9th places on the ladder (the 9th and 10th teams at season’s end are relegated to Premier B). Lurch suggested singing half the song. The team was cheered into the changing room. It had held out against a team that had lost only twice in its previous 12 games this season. This drawn game was lucky 13.
The semi-win was due to some further good inclusions, but mostly due to a good team performance, and especially a four-quarter effort, which has rarely been achieved this season. The OMs were also particularly disciplined, and - especially in the fourth quarter - were the ones winning the free kicks, unsettling and upsetting their opponents.
The OMs’ best player was Adam Richardson. Richo is a super competitor, whose 16 disposals, five tackles and two crucial goals were a huge contribution to the OMs’ result.
Ben Harding’s 35 possessions and his really clean work in tough conditions showed his class in what was one of his best games for the year.
Lachie Haysman had 23 disposals from the wing in what was probably his best game of the season as he played his role to perfection.
Ned Nichols made a welcome return after shaking off lingering concussion symptoms. His 25 disposals and nine tackles were a fantastic way to announce his comeback.
Sam Wundke negated St Kevin’s best forward and had a team-high of 13 one-percent efforts for the game.
Jackson Paine returned to his customary role as a key target in the forward line. His tackling was a feature, as was his general attack on the footy.
Making his debut for the OMs’ Seniors was Under-19s’ player Oscar Hanisch. He attended Melbourne Grammar School from 2020 to 2023 as a member and co-Vice-Captain of Hone House. Oscar was a member of the 2022 and 2023 Athletics teams, the 2022 premiership 1st XI and the 2023 1st XI, and the 2022 and 2023 1st XVIIIs. He will never forget his first goal in his first Senior game – in a draw – a goal more important than those of most debutants.
This week the OMs travel to Melbourne University for the first time this year, to take on University Blacks (ninth) in a critical game for both teams. The loser will be in the relegation zone. Blacks lost to St Bernard’s at St Bernard’s by 35 points last weekend and will be seeking redemption at their stronghold, where the OMs have rarely tasted success in the past 20 years. The OMs need to replicate their effort against St Kevin’s – and kicker straighter.
See you there.
Lurch.