Luckily the Oracle has returned from his restful break in the north – and just in time with the punt’s favourite son, Hyxy hovering around the prime Blood’s journalist role like a call centre kid with a new phone book!
With journalistic integrity back in place BOO and Oracle ventured to Gunn Reserve around 1:30 after seeking refuge from the wind in the warmth and comfort of the public bar at the McKinnon Hotel. Boffa was in running around in the magoos again sparking memories of his previous heroics on this ground several years ago on a similar gale force, windswept day. The senior Bloods won the toss and kicked south with a hurricane at their back. As expected Ormond bottled up play early and forced the boys onto the defensive side of the ground many times. For the Bloods Stef was running free as his opponent flooded our backline, Frog was prominent and debutant Flem was making his mark. After several points were scored Robbo (aka the Hyphen) was given the benefit of a play on after we were awarded free and goaled. Lill was giving our onballers first use of the Sherrin and his influence would last all match. Loewe got us another one before the bell but home ground knowledge saw the Monders run hard into the breeze to score an unlikely major. The quarter time scoreline of 2.8 to 1.2 didn’t look enough,
We played well in the second quarter, while conscious that the first had gone 33 minutes. Big Stewie took several telling marks and the backline had good support from their onballers and forwards as we tried valiantly to hold up the surging Ormond. We did really week for about 15 mins but then a soft free and goal to Ormond followed by a 60 metre bomb on the street wing saw the home side take an unlikely 1 point lead into the major break. This was after an Ormond error saw Jonno kick a beauty into the wind and this would be our only major to the city end goal for the entire match.
The third quarter was always going to prove pivotal in the outcome of the game. The Monds were down a few interchange players and it was important for the Bloods to make use of the wind. Loewe converted early and again late in the quarter and Tony Brown was on fire and he was instrumental in several goals for the quarter. Once his tag was broken he cut loose. It appeared the flood gates were opening and in another memorable move BOO suddenly found himself ‘tagged’ by Ormond spectators on the street side wing. Possibly a first in ammos football! Another foray down the western wing saw Dan Brown speed past opponents, centre to ball to the square but with the hurricane still blowing we all saw the air conveyance float through the big sticks. It was at terrific goal as Browny was truly going flat chat. Secc was rewarded with a free after a ruck infringement and stepped back calmly to convert truly from 45 metres. Six goals to one for the quarter – would that be enough?
So it came to pass to the final 30 minutes, which could really indicate how our season would unfold. Rarely in his time of watching the Bloods has a goalless last quarter been so exciting for the Oracle and the Throng and so meaningful to the fortunes of our club. While Ormond could only kick 1.1. for the quarter, the fierce and at times fluky winds were never going to allow victory to come easy. For the Bloods DK was superb. There must have been 20 ball ups in the last quarter and his jumping combined with this follow up efforts always meant that the Monds were never going to get first use of the ball. Flem was terrific and Steph played a terrific game with solid marking, running to space and always looking dangerous. Hammer’s final term marks were important as was Mase’s and Loewe’s experience in the final minutes. Vossy took a contender for mark of the year and TBrown was terrific again. With a bye next week the boys have a chance to rest up and set themselves for the Uni Blacks match on July 25.
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