Central Blues Australian Football Club

With an Australian departure the previous weekend of six senior Blues members to play for Northwind and represent Canada in the International Cup 2011, the diminished squad remaining to take on the Broadview Hawks in round 12 came up short 96-32.

Despite struggling to field a full side at the best of times in 2011, the Blues still managed to wrangle out enough players for a meager interchange to allow healthy rotations. Unfortunately focusing on this game meant the Div2 game scheduled an hour beforehand was forfeit. The Hawks had 19 players including 8 Aussies for the Div1 match and since a maximum of six non-Canadians can be in play at anytime, a 17v17 match was agreed to on the small University of Toronto Scarborough grounds.

The big challenge would be limiting the influence on the game in rotating midfield Australian talls Conor Dullard, Cody Royle, and Nick "Shuttsy" Shuttleworth. An absence of Bruce Parker due to suspension meant the backline was left a bit short and inexperienced, with Denton "Chevy" Levy, Dan "D2" Lock, and Shaun "Shagger" Kentwell moving back to lead in the defensive 50. Seven Blues on the day had less than a year of footy experience, including James Tancun getting his first taste with the Central Blues. This meant elevated rookies would be given new opportunities in different roles and develop for the club's future.

The first quarter was a mostly even match with freeflowing ball movement from one end to the next. After going down two goals, the Blues made most of their chances, with Damien "Curdles" McDonald rushing a midtackle kick from 35m out that popped up and seemed suspended in midair before traveling through the centre posts. He would add another with an oblique angled boot off the deck deep right of the goalsquare. A 23-15 deficit left the Blues within striking distance at quartertime, with pace and endurance to win out on a hot and humid arvo.

The second term would see the Hawks' Aussie contingent extending their lead using bursting speed in clearances and superior kicking skills. The lone major had Curdles' constant forward line presentation rewarded by a mark and set shot for his third. Dan "D2" Lock was putting up big spoils at half-back limit to damage to 21 points at the half.

For the second half, third-gamer rookie Daniel "Yank" Yanchus tagged Shuttsy by getting on the body and in the ear, which lessened the effectiveness of one of the Hawks scoring threats. "I'm not American" Yank's effort was recognized by his teammates by earning Top Contributor honours. The third would see just one behind to the Blues, with on-ball Dullard running rampant all over the oval to cut off multiple scoring attempts. Links from the midfield to forward line were found missing with zoned Hawks defenders plucking uncontested ball in the hot spot while the small Blues forwards lead to the wings hoping to incrementally move closer to goals. Structural changes in the forward line after the final break had Daniel "Willsy" Wills as a leading target into open space, but ineffective crumbing and follow-up resulted in no solid chances to be found. The lone offensive highlight in the fourth was Richard "Richo" Jenner displaying good vision by switching play from outside the 50m arc to Damo who slotted from 45m out for his fourth, extending his 2011 club goalkicking lead to 19.

The game ended 14.12.96 to 4.8.32 in the Hawks favour and was a hard but much valued lesson for a different look Blues. The Canadians currently in Australia competing in the International Cup once found themselves in the same boots as the Blues on this Saturday. Their weekly hard work on the track and effort to learn the 360° game of footy formed a path to represent their country in sport. Other members of the Central Blues will some day do the same.

Blues Best: Damien McDonald, Daniel Wills, Dan Lock, Chris Vella, Daniel Yanchus, Nigel Rogasch
Blues Goals: Damien McDonald (4)
Match Day Staff: Molly Gamble, Anita Cascone, Bruce Parker

Gamesheet

Photo credit: Michael Kitchen