“Old Trinity show fighting spirit in come from behind win and set up a grand final berth!”

GRAND FINAL – SUNDAY SEPT. 7^th  

St. Bernards College, Essendon

Old Trinity     3-3     5-6    7-9    11-12     78

Old Ivanhoe   4-3     7-4    9-8    10-13     73

1^st Q

In a tough opening quarter Old Trinity settled quickly but found the playing surface unpredictable and slippery. It was a tough physical contest and the “T Boys” were up to the challenge. Moretti got Old Trinity’s first major while Beaton and Lewis followed in the later part of the first term. The centre circle had been moved close to one wing, due to the very muddy centre. This added another element to the game.

 The backline of Robertson, Coutts and Lane were under great pressure but were standing firm. Great midfield run was provided by Pacconi, Jessop and Guerra while Beaton was a rock in the centre. It was a solid quarter by both sides.

At quarter time Old Ivanhoe led by 6 points.

2^nd Q

The second term saw Old Trinity have five scoring shots to the opposition’s four. The
“T boys” had lots of the ball but could not break away. The slippery conditions were slowing the game and targets were hard to hit. Howell and Lewis were solid while Dayno was warming to finals footy. At the other end of the ground Wisenfeld was getting plenty of the ball, Morrison was great in the air and Jessop, Pacconi and Leetham started to influence the game with skilled delivery, in tight conditions. Hale, Lancashire and Johnson were rotating effectively. Coutts was strong as usual. Lewis was working hard in the ‘engine room’. Hale and Young were strong in a tight quarter.

At half time Old Ivanhoe led, 46 to 36 points.

3^rd Q

With minor changes Old Trinity went into the premiership quarter with the realisation that they were not playing their best footy but were very much in the contest. It was going to be a quarter of opportunity.

It was a great quarter. Old Trinity had control but allowed the opposition to score two goals late in the term when the quarter belonged to the “OT’s”.  Eckersley was running, Humann becoming dangerous, Soligo tackling and Morrison / Pacconi/ Jessop / Johnson controlling the on ball action. The backline created massive pressure and gave the opposition nothing. Fogarty played a hand in the ruck while Widdowson bobbed up in different spots.

The run came from Guerra, Beaton and Leetham, in a quarter that went Old Trinity’s way.

At ¾ time Old Ivanhoe led, 62 to 51 points.

4^th Q

The final term was an even affair with Old Trinity kicking 4-3 to the opposition’s 1-5. The backline created massive pressure and shut down all avenues to goal. Potential goals became points and points out of bounce. The midfield found run and the forwards led by Moretti and Humann, started to kick much needed goals at ther right time. Howell started to show some influence, as did Soligo. The game was in the balance for the second part of the final term Old Trinity hit the front to see the lead change through an Old Ivanhoe goal. The ball went forward and was gathered by the unusually quiet Dayno who ran and slotted a goal from the boundary. The centre bounce saw the ball go into Ivanhoe’s arc and a quick shot missed. The result a win to Old Trinity by 5 points, in the last few moments of the game.

Goal kickers- Moretti 3, Humann 2, Beaton 1, Guerra 1, Morrison 1, Lewis 1, Dayno 1, Pacconi 1.

Best players – Morrison, Pacconi, Beaton, Bradley, Robertson, Jessop.

Coach’s comment- A terrific win by a group of players who never give in and are committed to a positive team result. Well Done! There is one more chapter of the story to play out – the Grand Final. Be at training this week at Bulleen –Tuesday 6-00pm and Thursday 6-00pm and dinner after training.

Helpers today – Mike Fogarty (Time)  Shivo (Stats) Maccca / David Troon (Committee assistance)

Ray Leetham / Vic Soligo