Round 1 is
like a mirage to the football thirsty: each week passes but the wait never
seems to shorten.
Of course,
if one waits long enough, each day will eventually come to pass, and so it was
last Saturday that the sun finally rose on the opening of the season - an away
game against an Old Haileybury who was going to field some seemingly ageless champions
And a
beautiful day it was too, one of those days for which
Melbourne is justly proud - a clear and calm
day, with just a tinge of darkening clouds in the south east, just to keep you
wondering. A long day too, with lunching "duties" to be performed
before the bounce; a pleasant affair where the conversation turned to days long
past when the two clubs played as one in the old Metropolitan Amateur competition
(precursor to the VAFA), and to people who themselves are slipping into
history.
The Senior Leadership Group for 2009 was announced at the
Season Launch and Jumper Presentation by Coach Brett Chandler.
The new Captain will be Brent Walsh, assisted by Vice
Captains Brendan Iezzi and Jack Healy
In making the announcement Brett also paid tribute to the outgoing team of Andy Cultrera and Richard Troon, who took over the leadership mantle in 2008, at a challenging time for the Club.
In an open letter which we publish on the OT Website, the VAFA Selection policy has
been challenged by the President of OTGAFC,
Dyson
Hore-Lacy. In it he
questions the appropriateness of selecting players for a representative side,
who never have, and never may, play for an amateur club.
After a great day at Bulleen players and supporters all retired to the Kew Hotel for the “Sports Coats and Skivvies” jumper presentation. An amazing job was done by Marci, Robyn and Vicki to wash all the jumpers used during the day prior to the evening. A huge thank you ladies!!!
All the players were suitably attired and the coach was heard to comment that “this is very different from the Eastern Football League”.
After a welcome by President Dyson, Brett announced that the club will be led in season 2009 by Brent “Big Cat” Walsh with vice captain support from Brendan Iezzi and Jack Healy. In making the announcement Brett also paid tribute to the job
Andy Cultrera had done last season. Rosco announced that the Reserves will be led by Chris Pawsey with Jonnie Gillies as his vice captain.
“Expert commentary” on all players by Kristian and Justin for the seniors and Harry and Bennett for the under 19s followed as each player received their jumper from Dyson. A great night was had by all. Bring on round 1. (AB)
Last Hit-Out Almost All Good News
Injuries to three U19 players was
the only negative news to come out of a successful practice round last Saturday
4th April. All three players (Harry Tinney, Tom Beasley and Andrew Kepitis) are
likely to miss up to 4 weeks
On the playing front, while the main
grounds at Bulleen continue to improve, all teams still had to play Uni Blacks
on the lower, smaller oval as they did against De La Salle. So the question still remains - how will the teams perform
on a larger ground?
On the day, however, all three teams performed very well indeed.
The Club welcomes 2 new Sponsors to our growing Supporter base:
The Manningham Club (www.themanningham.com.au), well know to those supporters who have been around for a few seasons, has been in previous seasons the venue for the club’s season launch and best & fairest evenings. The Manningham is offering free membership of its Manningham Club (worth $16.00) to all OT Supporters who sign up for a Green, Gold or Mitre Club Membership. Benefits include discounted meals and drinks, and use of a courtesy bus.
The Noodle Box (www.noodlebox.com.au), and specifically their Hawthorn outlet (800 Glenferrie Rd Ph: 03 9815 1699), is providing significant financial assistance to the club and are offering all our membership free access to their loyalty program which also translate into large savings.
On the MEMBERSHIP front, things are also moving along: the OT Committee have have structured 4 Membership packages to entice all levels of interest - from the occasional to the ardent, from a $50 Silent Supporter package for those pressed for time and opportunities, to the Mitre Club for those who wish to attend the Club more frequently to enjoy a pleasant lunch (courtesy of the Club) and watch the game in comfort.
Please take the time to READ MORE and select the Membership Package that most suits your requirements and interest level.
To join simply go to the 'Membership' tab and dowload the Registration form and return it with your details to the enclosed address.
The Combined Fixtures for all 4 Old Trinity sides has been compiled.
On five occasions - Rounds 7, 10, 12, 16/17 and 17/18 - both Senior sides and the U19's will play together at home, with the 3rds also at home in Rd 7. Should make for a full schedule!
The Seniors will enjoy 9 genuine home games this year, with no trip to Elsternwick sheduled, while the Seconds will also enjoy some pre-match activities, courtesy of the Social Committee. Watch this space for details.
You know that the start of the football season cannot be too far away when the training sessions change from Mon/Wed to Tues/Thurs, and when the notices for the practice matches start going out.
By that measure we can't be too far from the first bounce:
Training next week will revert to Tuesdays and Thursday evenings. The starting time as always is 6:15, and all supporters are welcome at the rooms for a hot meal (Thursdays) and a drink.
Furthermore, all sides will be taking part in practice matches this Saturday 21st March. All games at at home (Marles Playing Fields) and aginst De La Salle:
*** 10:00 am - Under 19's
*** 12:00 noon - Reserves
*** 02:15 pm- Seniors
It will be interesting to see them all in their first serious hit-out, especially the Seniors against a bogey side from 2008!
There is also the Inter-League Victorian Fires Benefit Match next Sunday week (29th March) at Jubilee Oval, Reilly St Ringwood, in which some (or all) of Andrew Cultrera and Brendan Iezzi and Jack Healy may play. Tickets are $10 and will are available from the club (both training nights and on sale at the week-end practice match) with ALL proceeds going to the Bushfire Appeal (or call Alan Burrows, Secretary, on 0412 077 761 for more details).
Golf Day "Kicks Goals.."
OLD TRINITY FOOTBALL CLUB HELD ITS CORPORATE GOLF DAY on MARCH 13th
On what was a magnificent golf day from a weather point of view and course condition at the Heritage Golf & Country Club, 60+ corporate guests teed off on the Jack Nicklaus St John’s Course at 8:00am.
16 teams of 4 took on the course from the blue tees for the Ambrose event, one which will not be forgotten by some for a long time to come – the scores testify to this!
After doing battle for 4-1/2 hours on course the participants then proceeded to enjoy a fantastic carvery lunch upstairs where they were entertained by the guest speaker, 4 time premiership player, Martin Pike. Everyone agreed - Martin’s talk over 40 minutes was sensational.
Too soon, the time came to pack up and head home (some to be up at 5:00am) but all left with many fond memories of OT's 10th Annual Corporate Golf Day, and the Club got a handy boost as well. Congratulations to all.
Firsts: OH (A-Side) Outpoints OTs; but U19s Pip Blues
U19s: Script Forgotten as Unders Take the Points
Ressies: Food, Films, Finery - a Postscript Photos Now Available
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Reflections on the Pre-Season
With six weeks to go to the first round it is worth reflecting on the pre season so far.
Much has happened since we put the footballs away last September.
The coaching panel, while having an air of stability has some welcome additions.
Gerard Sholly joins us as senior assistant.
Gil VanDerVenne as director of football and chairman of selectors.
Ivan Tudor has stepped into the role of fitness coach and
Evan MacDonald will take the reins this season with our Third 18 (clubbies).
Prior to Xmas we had a solid core of players work extremely hard with Ivan. There was also the added fillip of welcoming several new recruits and a couple of former players back from overseas and long term injury. The club has had its usual number of players retire/leave via clearance/transfer, but these have been more than replaced by new recruits.
Since Xmas the numbers have steadily grown so that we now average consistently over 55 at training each session and have a confirmed senior list of nearly 70 players. During the past couple of weeks we have welcomed the Trinity school leavers to the club and the under 19 team is now taking shape for its tilt at premier division this year, our premiership win last year means we have been promoted.
On what was a magnificent golf day from a weather point of view and course condition at the Heritage Golf & Country Club, 60+ corporate guests teed off on the Jack Nicklaus St John’s Course at 8:00am.
