Central Blues Australian Football Club

The Central Blues, already out of playoff contention, closed out 2011's home/away season facing a Guelph side ramping up for their finals campaign. The year's ladder positions were reflected by the resulting 121-24 loss to the Gargoyles.

As had been the theme in this season's tail end, a few Blues made their first appearance for the club. Rookie Lance Frew from the UK got his first run in the ones and Adelaide's Ryan & Todd Oliver, twins quickly coined as collective nickname "Rod", came aboard to help out with numbers.

As first game in the day's fixture, Saturday morning fog left dew-covered grass that immediately soaked the footy for a messy first term of missed marks and shanked kicks from both teams. But Guelph was out on the front foot, at the opening break ahead four goals to none.

The second quarter was more of the same, with domination on centre clearances adding another five majors to Guelph. The inexperienced Blues were on their heels due to the opposition's quick run and ball movement. Chris "Yellow Card" Vella finally got the first goal in the third, converting a free kick 30m from directly in front. In the final term, "Irish" Dave Mannion kicked his first career OAFL goal, spinning 40m out with a booming kick between the sticks. Daniel "Willsy" Wills goaled with his own snap soon after, takng advantage of solid play-on work in the midfield from Dan "D-Train" Zimmerman.

But the opposition quickly regained momentum and continued to run up the score with ten last half majors. Guelph Australians Andy Matthews and Scotty Rowe used their precise body work, impeccable timing, and superior footy skills to eat up a rookie Blues midfield and backline sorely missing their six players still in Australia playing as representatives for Canada's national team, Northwind.

2011 came to a close with the Blues seniors finishing 3-10, good for 8th on the ladder. Being the OAFL team with the largest Northwind representation, a lack of depth left the club undermanned in August but this opened up opportunities for others to step up and learn the game, sometimes the tough way. The boys are sure to be up and about for a 2012 run with this season's new recruits and already seasoned veterans in tow.

Blues Best: Daniel Wills, Riley Armstrong, Dave Mannion, Dave Whittington, Chris Vella, Brent Bogucki
Blues Goals: Daniel Wills, Chris Vella, Dave Mannion
Match Day Staff: Richard Jenner, Bruce Parker

Gamesheet

Photo credit: Rob Colburn