2024 ROUND 16 SENIOR MEN’S MATCH REPORT
Old Melburnians FC vs Old Scotch FC at Elsternwick Park, Brighton
1st quarter: OMFC 6.2.38 OSFC 3.3.21
2nd quarter: OMFC 7.3.45 OSFC 7.6.48
3rd quarter: OMFC 8.6.54 OSFC 9.10.64
4th quarter: OMFC 9.10.64 OSFC 13.14.92
Goals: Ed Michelmore (3), Sam Laube (2), Ned Nichols (2), Lachie Haysman (1), Henry Nicholls (1).
Best players: Spencer Anderson, Ned Nichols, Lachie Templeton, Jack Spargo, Ben Harding.
Team: Jeremy a’Beckett (26), Spencer Anderson (36), Andrew Chirnside (49), Harry Cooper (23), Will Dethridge (12), Oscar Hanisch (54), Ben Harding (8), James Harrold (8), Ben Haysman (10), Lachie Haysman (9), Sam Laube (20), Chris Long (50), Charlie McKay (42), Ed Michelmore (4), Ned Nichols (3), Will Nichols (1), Henry Nicholls (31), Jackson Paine (Captain, 39), Jack Spargo (24), Lachie Swaney (16), Lachie Templeton (44), Gus Williams (33)
Match Report
The OMs welcomed back James Harrold, Charlie McKay, Ed Michelmore, Jack Spargo and debuted Chris Long, who replaced Nicky Christian, Charlie Dowling, Jarrod Lienert, Will McIntyre and Sam Wundke.
The game was played on a dry, sunny, warm day of 20-21 degrees (said to feel like 15-17). Wind was the main issue. Although consistently a north-north-westerly that favoured the southern end to which the OMs first kicked, it was in the 20-28kmh range all game, with gusts up to 39kmh.
Old Scotch was coming off wins against top-of-the table Old Brighton and second team St Kevin’s, whereas the OMs lost to bottom team, Fitzroy, for the second time this season. With Old Scotch the form team of the competition, many OM supporters came to the game expecting a loss but hoping for a miracle from a team that has shown it can do anything when it’s on song.
That miracle looked like it was more possible than not when the OMs won at the opening bounce. Debutant Chris Long (see below) dished off to Spencer Anderson, who got the footy to Will Nichols, and he kicked cleverly to give Ed Michelmore the ball metres away from goal. Mich goaled as the clock ticked into the second minute of the quarter. It was a fantastic display of quality and exciting teamwork. From the centre the OMs went again, but Scotch eventually got it and missed two shots. Lachie Templeton then set up Mich, who took a nice contested mark and goaled from the SE about 20m out. Eight minutes in, it was 13-2, but Scotch goaled from the centre bounce. The OMs got forward and fought hard to stay there, with Sam Laube eventually getting hands up in the goal square to Ned Nichols, who finished the job to make it 19-8 at the 18-minute mark. Mich ran hard to take a good mark in the SE but missed his set shot.
Multiple OMs combined to get the footy near the top of the goal square with Ned getting it, throwing it on the boot, snapping, and goaling in an intense contest to give the OMs a three-goal lead a minute later. A lengthy battle followed with play mostly in the OMs’ half, but Scotch was able to get it out the back and goaled at the 25-minute mark. It won again in the middle but missed a certain goal. From a stoppage in the SE, Henry Nicholls marked and nailed his set shot from about 30m for a 32-15 lead. The OMs then had a huge, contested battle up forward until Mich got the footy in the SW, threw it on the boot, and from a tight angle, about 30m out, put it through. Now 32 minutes into the quarter, the OMs had an extraordinary 38-15 lead, but Scotch goaled two minutes later, with the quarter lasting 35 minutes.
It was a fantastic first quarter, characterised by a sustained and quality team effort by the OMs, whose long kicking to well-spotted targets and quick ball movement cut Scotch apart. Mich’s three goals made him Scotch’s No.1 enemy and he was likely to receive closer attention. As good as it was, though, three more quarters had to be played the same way.
Scotch had the wind in the second quarter and threated in the early minutes but got nothing. A 50m penalty gave the OMs the opportunity to go long through the centre with the ball’s flight faltering abruptly against the wind. Captain Jackson Paine got the footy to Lachie Haysman in the NE, who just snuck in his kick for goal at the six-minute mark for a 44-23 lead. However, Scotch countered with two quick goals two and four minutes later. The OMs intercepted brilliantly in defence but immediately turned it over in the SW pocket for another Scotch goal that made it 44-41 at the 13-minute mark. The OMs had a chance to score but Scotch rushed it. Play went both ways until the OMs let the footy out of the forward line too easily, enabling Scotch to take a 45-48 lead at the 24-minute mark. When the Dark Blues got the footy in the goal square, a certain goal seemed the likely outcome, but a free kick was paid against them for holding. The siren sounded as Ben Haysman dropped a contested mark within range of goal.
The second quarter was a reality check, but the OMs were fortunate Scotch was inaccurate. They remained in touch and had the wind in the third quarter to try to build a match-winning lead.
Against the wind, Scotch won the opening bounce of the third quarter and ran directly to goal but the OMs rushed it, attacked, turned it over, and Scotch goaled, two minutes in. It was 45-55, and the OMs were let off by a Scotch miss five minutes later. Jacko won a free kick for being held, but missed his set shot from the SE. Scotch then generally dominated the game but was unable to do scoreboard damage. The OMs were playing too loosely, giving Scotch a lot of freedom. A rare highlight came when Ned leapt high to take a great mark in the SW. The OMs battled hard up forward, and Laube received a free kick for a high tackle. Taking his set shot about 30m out, directly in front, he put it though at the 22-minute mark. It was only the OMs’ second goal since the first quarter, but it was 53-58 and they remained in touch. Ned took a good contested mark in the SW two minutes later, about 30m out, but his kick lacked power and only just missed to the right. Scotch ran up the ground and goaled immediately before the siren as the short 27-minute quarter ended.
Outscored in the last quarter that they had the wind, the OMs had failed to take full advantage of it, had let Scotch off the chain, and although the margin was surmountable, it made the challenge greater.
Although Scotch threatened to score in the early minutes, it only managed a behind. The OMs fought hard and Andrew Chirnside helped set up Laube, who marked in the NW, about 30m out on a 40 degree angle. He scored his second goal at the three-minute mark and it was 61-65. Scotch missed a shot at goal from the centre bounce, but goaled minutes later. Ned took a nice mark, but kicked over the top to brother Will, closer to goal. However, he missed his set shot to the left. Scotch’s defensive kick failed, and Ned marked for another chance. He kicked for goal but missed to the right. It was 63-73 at the 12-minute mark. A snap and another missed followed four minutes later, and when Scotch goaled at the 18-minute mark to make it 64-78 it was game over. Henry Nicholls took a good mark for a set shot from the arc, directly in front, but hit the left goal post, and Scotch responded by going coast-to-coast for a goal at the 21-minute mark, with another seven minutes later to finish off the game.
On form, Scotch was always expected to win, but the OMs showed in the first quarter that that was not pre-ordained. Great defence kept them in the game, but the lacklustre third quarter with the wind was damaging, as was the inaccurate 2.7 of the second half. The opportunities to win the game from ‘gettable’ positions were there. It was, unfortunately, yet another opportunity lost.
The OMs’ best player was Spencer Anderson, who put in another very good effort. He is becoming a reliable defender and has found his place in the Seniors. This is a real credit to him, given a few early hiccups in his burgeoning Senior career.
Ned Nichols had 20 disposals and five shots at goal as a small forward. Added to that were seven tackles, making him a significant contributor on the day.
Lachie Templeton racked up his highest disposal tally in Premier A, with 17, and six clearances, as he continues to improve at the Senior level.
Jack Spargo made a welcome return. Super combative in the ruck as always, his 12 contested possessions and 10 clearances tell the story of his importance to the OMs.
Ben Harding had 31 disposals with 15 contested, and six tackles. He can always be relied on to contribute every week.
Making his Senior debut was Chris Long. He attended Melbourne Grammar School from 2008 to 2020, becoming co-Vice Captain of Ross House. Chris played in the 2019 1st XVIII and was awarded colours for the 2020 1st XVIII that never struck a blow as the season was cancelled due to COVID-19. He also played in the 2nds Touch Football teams of 2019 and 2020. Chris came up through the OMs’ ranks to make a solid debut.
The loss and other results that went against the OMs now have the OMs on the bottom of the ladder, with two games remaining that must be won to give them any chance of staying in Premier A in 2025. Next week’s opponent, Uni Blues, were beaten by the OMs’ recent opponent, ninth-placed Fitzroy. The OMs face Blues at Uni, at which the OMs have rarely won in the past 20 years. Fitzroy will play at home against Uni Blacks (seventh), which knocked off St Kevin’s. In the final round, if the OMs have managed to defeat Uni Blues, they must beat St Bernards at St Bernards in the final round and hope that Collegians (home) beat Fitzroy.
A win at University this weekend will keep the OMs’ hopes alive.
See you there.
Lurch.