The side welcomed back skipper, Jude “Buddy” Dannanoui this week, but with Pietsch and McMahon debuting for the Blues and Golds respectively, this match was going to require some players to really step up and boy did they ever. Darcy “Needs 12 Alarms” Sinclair and Angus Sheedy dominating the midfield all day.
The first quarter went much the same way as last week, with the boys starting off hot, creating a 6 goal to 0 first quarter. Luke “Worse ankles than my brother” Lyngberg and Joel “The next big thing” Tyquin marking well and kicking truly was a real spectacle to behold. Ryan “Rhino” Eldering played his best game for the club, kicking three goals and selflessly dishing two free goals off to Tyquin. Murray continues to dazzle crowds and almost slotted GOTY following a 720 degree spin but agonisingly just missed.
The midfield started to lose control in the second quarter but the defence led by Zitzen, Mahon and McCarthy still managed to hold up well under the pressure of repeat entries. Declan Minnett played easily his best game for the season, working hard and presenting well on the half-forward line.
It was put to the mids at half time that they had to step up from their second quarter performance. Sinclair, O’Meara, Liakakos, Anderson and Sheedy set the tone with some huge defensive bumps and tackles, as De La started winning the contested possession again. Will Richards followed suit, roosting a 75m goal off 2 steps. Richards kicking it from defensive side of the opposition bench and the ball sailing with the wind and bouncing straight. Tom Martin got his first rest from the ruck in over a month, pushing forward and looking dangerous.
The final quarter was nothing short of the “gun show.” Dean “Pipes” Kaminaris dominating throughout the midfield and forward line and finally ending his streak of (what felt like) 25 behinds, kicking two goals. Stephenson also popped up to nab a great snapping goal. Unfortunately, this was the only match recently in which we were unable to keep our standards high right to the final siren, St. Bedes jagging a couple of late goals to reduce the margin.
Our attention now turns to the 18th of June, where we focus on avenging a tragic early season defeat to Bulleen Templestowe. The boys will need to pull out a massive four quarter performance to get the job done, but this is a special group and there is nothing they can not do when they put their minds to it.
Result: De La 20.13-133 def St Bedes 5.9-39
