The Under 19s had to travel to Waverley Rd to take on flag-favourites De La Salle, in what shaped up to be a daunting task. The job was likely to be made more difficult by (again!) a restricted bench (of only 3) and a ruckman who would have to leave at ½ time. In the corresponding game in Rd 8 played at Bulleen, De La had kicked a massive 26 goals to defeat OT by over 120 points.

            Progress is measured in different ways: OT again lost the game, but battled well in every quarter (bar the third). They did particularly well in the 2^nd and last when De La was kicking with the aid of a ripping wind. The avalanche that might have been expected in each of those periods just did not happen – because the OT boys would not let it happen - and the final margin was a (relatively) moderate 68 points.

In a game of parallels OT shows improvement

1^st Q

The OT boys started well, created options and won the term, in scoring opportunities. Fogarty, the Hunt boys and May were playing attacking, accountable football. Chadwick and Jack Hunt kicked beautifully to score the visiting side’s first two goals for the game. In the back half Oldfield, Potter, Young and Bradley stood up to the opposition guns and made scoring a difficult option. Old Trinity was matching the home side in all departments as the siren sounded.

At quarter time Old Trinity were behind by 4 points.

2^nd Q

De La Salle had the breeze and was set for a big quarter of attacking footy but the young Trinity side had other thoughts. The T boys led by the Hunt Bros., Cerini, Tinney, Birrell and Spassopoulos played accountable football and matched the Blue-and-Golds in all departments. Young started to influence, as did Brandon Jones, Bonnington and the young Dalton. Old Trinity’s only goal came from Jack Hunt. The great work from the backline held De La to 3 goals for the term.

At halftime De La Salle led by 3 goals.

3^rd Q

The third term was Old Trinity’s chance to score and give the opposition something to chase but in reality the opposite happened….De La Salle kicked five goals for the term, to Old Trinity’s 2 points. Players in every position tried hard but were over run by height, speed and skill. Players to have a red hot go in the third term included Murphy, Kepitis, Cowley, Chadwick, Birrell and Fogarty. Sheahan showed great courage for his size.

At ¾ time Old Trinity was behind, 24 to 75 points.

4^th Q

The last term saw Old Trinity run two sweepers in the back arc, Potter went into the ruck and Oldfield became a tall forward option. For the term Murphy was solid, Beasley was starting to fire and Bradley was coping plenty but ready to handle anything .The young T boys fought out the game and gave what they had. With a strong breeze the opposition was held to 3-5 to Old Trinity’s 1-0…. A great effort against the top side.

In the end it was 98 points to 30, but often scores don’t reflect what happens.

De La Salle       3-0    6-4   11-9    14-14   98

Old Trinity        2-2     3-4    3-6     4-6      30

Goals – Jack Hunt 3, Chadwick 1

Best – Jack Hunt, Ned Hunt, Bradley, Murphy, Birrell, May

Coach’s comment- A game of parallels: De La Salle – premier favourites - won the game with some form and the Old Trinity boys showed improved form. Last time we played them we were beaten by 20 goals – today 10. At halftime it was a game within our reach.

Helpers today – Shane Murphy (team manager / time), Anderson Hunt - oranges)

Ray Leetham / Vic Soligo – Under 19 coaching staff.