Cardijn 6.6 (42) def by Concordia 10.6 (66)
Our Open A side travelled to Concordia College with only 18 fit players and unfortunately lost their first match of the season. Injury and illness took its toll on several players leading up to the match in what has been a very busy past 7 days of football for the Open football squad. We were ecstatic that two Year 9 footballers, Noah Howes and Tom Pilmore, put their hand up to play their first senior match. Both boys did not look out of place and showed exciting glimpses of what is to come for Cardijn’s football future.
Again, Mitchell Jarrett was dominant in defence, displaying his athleticism, ability to read the play and strong intercepting marks. Talon Copley worked tirelessly in the midfield with excellent clearance work and ball use. Noah Howes was the highlight up forward, taking a number of strong contested marks and finishing with a couple of goals.
This loss does make next week’s game against St. Johns pivotal, where a victory sees us a very good chance of having a home grand final. Make sure you get out to Cardijn College at 3:45pm next Wednesday (2/9) to see the boys in action against St John’s.
Cardijn 5.10 (40) drew to Pulteney Grammar 6.4 (40)
The team had yet another home game, this time in much better conditions against an extremely strong and experienced Pulteney outfit. We played Pulteney in the first game of the season and came out comfortable victors, but this team looked far more experienced, ready to take it up to us. We started the game quite well kicking the first two goals to have a two-goal lead at quarter time. By half time the game etched closer with Pulteney converting their opportunities and Cardijn missing some easy ones. We looked second rate in the third quarter with not much structure around the contest and Pulteney capitalised, ending the quarter 8 points up with all the momentum. To the boy’s credit, after regrouping at 3 quarter time we came out with all the intensity, with most of the possession in our forward half for the quarter. A late goal by Brayden Fielder (3 goals for the day) brought us close within two points. Two opportunities to convert in the last two minutes of the game ended in behinds, with the result being a stalemate. It was a brave effort by the boys, who coming up against quite an experienced Pulteney outfit, gritted their teeth and nearly found a way to run out victors on the day.
Key contributors throughout the game were Brayden Fielder, who had a best on ground performance, kicking 3 crucial goals off the wing and generated a lot of our run and carry. Connor Holberton, who stepped up in the CHB position, taking crucial intercept marks all throughout the game. Jacob Comley was hard at it and showed great hardness at every contest. Kyle Marshall was up to his tricks all game and swayed the game in the last with some late intercept marks.
The boys will be heading to Urbrae High School on Wednesday (2/9) in our last match before the finals. This will be a top of the table clash and the boys will be out for revenge with our only losing game coming to the hands of Urbrae earlier on in the season. Hope to see you all there!
Photo Credit: Simmone Le Raye
