2024 ROUND 18 SENIOR MEN’S MATCH REPORT
Round 18, Saturday 7 September 2024
St Bernards FC vs Old Melburnians FC at St Bernards College, Essendon
1st quarter: SBFC 4.5.29 OMFC 3.4.22
2nd quarter: SBFC 8.8.56 OMFC 7.7.49
3rd quarter: SBFC 9.12.66 OMFC 9.8.62
4th quarter: SBFC 11.14.80 OMFC 12.9.81
Goals: Charles Dowling (2), Ed Michelmore (2), Jackson Paine (2), Adam Richardson (2), Jeremy a’Beckett (1), Oscar Hanisch (1), Sam Laube (1), Henry Nicholls (1).
Best players: Ed Michelmore, Jackson Paine, Will Nichols, Jarrod Lienert, Jimmy Harrold
Team: Jeremy a’Beckett (26), Nicky Christian (29), Harry Cooper (23), Will Dethridge (12), Charlie Dowling (25), Oscar Hanisch (54), Ben Harding (8), Jimmy Harrold (6), Lachie Haysman (9), Sam Laube (20), Jarrod Lienert (22), Chris Long (31), Charlie McKay (42), Ed Michelmore (4), Henry Nicholls (31), Ned Nichols (3), Will Nichols (1), Jackson Paine (Captain, 39), Adam Richardson (17), Jack Spargo (24), Lachie Swaney (16), Lachie Templeton (44).
Match Report
The OMs welcomed back Nicky Christian, Charlie Dowling and Oscar Hanisch, who replaced Spencer Anderson, Ben Haysman and Sam Wundke.
This game was played on a dry, sunny, spring-like day with west-north-westerly breezes prevailing at speeds of up to 19kmh. It got up to 19 degrees, and the ground was in very good condition.
No result would change the OMs’ relegation to Premier B, but a win could take St Bernards down too. Fitzroy was playing Collegians to avoid relegation, and Collegians had to win to stay in the top four to play finals next week. The Xavs had to beat Scotch to displace Collegians in the finals, so there was interest at both ends of the ladder.
It was quite still as the game began at the ‘Snake Pit’, which is not a pit, and which - but for the Killer Pythons at the canteen – had no snakes. Although play went both ways, St Bernards had more of it, having a behind rushed before goaling three minutes in. The OMs’ two attempts were both rushed, after which St Bernards went coast-to-coast and goaled to make it 13-2 at the six-minute mark. By this stage the OMs had already suffered two injuries, with Chris Long’s day unfortunately over. The wind picked up and although St Bernards missed a shot, it goaled at the 11-minute mark. Now 20-2, the signs were not encouraging for the OMs. It was a free-flowing game played mostly between the arcs, and although the OMs were running in numbers, at times those numbers were unhelpfully nowhere near the play.
The OMs were let off when St Bernards hit a goal post and then missed another shot. Captain Jackson Paine was then hit up and his nice set shot from the south, directly in front, sailed through from about 35m at the 20-minute mark. Three minutes later, Ed Michelmore received a free kick for a high tackle and goaled from directly in front to make it 23-14, only to have St Bernards goal within a minute. Mich got the footy again, well outside the arc. He set up to take his kick but ran around the man on the mark and kicked long for a fantastic goal. It was 29-20. Ned Nichols missed a set shot from the SE and Charlie Dowling’s nice snap from the SW only just missed being an amazing goal, with the siren sounding after it. After a slow start with too much loose play, the OMs had tightened up, got into the game, and were showing better signs.
In the second quarter the wind seemed to come more from the west. St Bernards went first into attack but were repelled by a trademark Jarrod Lienert bomb from the backline into the centre circle. St Bernards’ supporters who did not know his name that well were heard to say that they thought it was ‘Lionheart’, a name that wouldn’t make anyone unhappy! Mich and others combined to hit up Jeremy a’Beckett in the NW. His approach to his set shot was excellent and gave the OMs a goal at the three-minute mark. It was only 30-28 for a minute, though, as St Bernards goaled. Three minutes later Dowling was tackled in the centre and gave away a 50m penalty that gave his opponent a goal. It was 42-28 and St Bernards was dominating, adding goals at the 10- and 12-minute marks. At 55-28 it was reasonable to ask whether it was game over.
a'Beckett and Sam Laube combined for what appeared to be an awesome goal as Laube’s kick bounced through, only for it to have been deemed ‘touched’ off his boot. Mich went for goal from the NW but it was touched off his boot too. Henry Nicholls then marked at the top of the arc and put through a very nice set shot to make it 56-35 at the 18-minute mark. Lienert intercepted and kicked beautifully to Laube, who marked between two opponents, but the wind gusted as he took his set shot and it missed to the right. Confusion reigned after the whistle was blown, but Jacko was switched on, got the loose ball in the NW and casually dribbled it through for a goal. Paine and Mich combined to get the footy out of the centre to Nicholls, who missed everything to the right. Lachie Templeton snapped from a stoppage and missed. Adam Richardson was hit up in the NE and his well-prepared set shot scored a goal at the 28-minute mark. For all of that, with another slow start to the quarter, the deficit was seven points once again – but at least the deficit remained within range. All the OMs had to do was stay switched on and take more time over their kicks.
St Bernards was first into attack in the third quarter but play quickly went both ways. Charlie McKay came off with a shoulder injury and minutes later Richo needed help to hobble off the ground, looking like his day was done. A silly 50m penalty given away in the centre gave St Bernards a shot at goal, but it was off target. Desperate defence stopped another St Bernards’ attempt. Oscar Hanisch then hit up Dowling inside the arc, where he played on, steadied, and goaled to make it 58-55 at the 14-minute mark. A good tackle laid by Dowling got him a free kick. He dished off to Lienert, who kicked long (are his kicks anything but long?) but only just missed. Fortunately for the OMs, Richo had got back on the ground and marked but was limping in the lead up to his set shot, doing very well to put it through from directly in front as he struggled to balance. It was 64-62 at the 24-minute mark. A St Bernards’ shot missed and dropped short, and the next two were rushed by the OMs’ stout defence. The siren sounded as St Bernards kicked inside their arc.
The last quarter for the season began with the OMs four points down, and St Bernards always answering any OM push. Although the OMs were briefly in attack, St Bernards goaled in play in the first minute. Dowling started the next attack, and Hanisch snapped brilliantly, with the ball miraculously bouncing and evading St Bernards’ chasing players to go through for the game’s most memorable goal. The OMs won in the middle and Laube snapped and goaled at the four-minute mark to give the OMs the lead for the first time in the game, 72-74. Richo won a free, directly in front, about 20m out, but missed. St Bernards went coast-to-coast for a set shot that also missed.
In defence the OMs fell into their bad old ways, over-handballing until it was inevitably turned over, and St Bernards’ set shot goal gave it an 80-75 lead at the 15-minute mark. Working their way along the eastern wing through McKay and Paine, the OMs gave Dowling a mark in the NE and his skilful set shot from near the boundary line on about a 45-degree angle scored a golden goal, putting the OMs in front, 80-81, at the 18-minute mark. There was still lots of time to play, and St Bernards threatened to score, with a long desperate battle waged mostly on the western wing. When a’Beckett marked at the 30-minute mark and the siren sounded, the game was already won. He kicked for goal, but it dropped short.
The win was the OMs’ first since Round 9 on 15 June 2024, fittingly against St Bernards. The OMs finished with 4.5 wins for the year, with Premier A’s only draw, against finalist St Kevin’s.
Lachie Haysman and Will Nichols were chaired off after completing their 100th games for the club.
In other results, Fitzroy, which had led Collegians most of the day, lost, sending it down to Premier B with the OMs, and saving St Bernards’ place in Premier A despite its loss to the OMs. Collegians’ win secured its finals’ place, denying the Old Xavs that place.
Ed Michelmore finished off the season in the best possible way, kicking two first quarter goals before being moved into the midfield, where he gave the OMs plenty of drive and metres gained.
Jackson Paine had a team-high 32 disposals and 10 marks as he moved between the midfield and being on ball. He provided a target, added muscle at the stoppages and kicked two goals.
Will Nichols played his role for the team while amassing 27 possessions.
Jarrod Lienert played in defence, with plenty of inside 50 intercepts and 31 disposals that were key to the OMs’ win.
Jimmy Harrold finished his last game at the club in style, playing his best one in Dark Blue. He returns home to Western Australia next year.
In the rooms after the game, coach Paul Satterley was farewelled. Commencing in the first COVID year of 2020, he dealt with all the complications that that year and 2021 presented. During his early years, many OM veterans – stalwarts, premiership players and Big V representatives – retired. The team transitioned into one of young and promising players with a smattering of experienced players. At its best, the team could produce fast-scoring exciting football and gritty displays against superior opponents, and at worst, it did the opposite. When it followed Satts’ instructions, wins usually followed. He leaves with the OMFC’s best wishes, and with the legacy of having a son, Jack, at Melbourne Grammar School, because of how impressed Satts was by the young men he coached at the OMFC.
Next year the OMs resume competition in Premier B under a new coach, with new opponents, including clubs against which the OMs may not have played before. Few clubs go down to Premier B and return to Premier A the following year, and those that do often go down just as quickly. The OMs went down to B Grade (as it was) in 2007 and narrowly avoided going down to C Grade in 2008. They won the 2009 B Grade premiership to advance to A Grade in 2010 but returned to B Grade in 2012. After making the 2015 grand final they returned to A Grade in 2016. It is a high-quality and challenging competition. The OMs’ first task is to consolidate in Premier B in 2025 and see where the season takes them from there.
See you there.
Lurch.