Home of the Central Blues Australian Football Club

Jase Cain gets a kick off

The Central Blues showed they have continued to improve since last season in their round two match against 08 runners up Toronto Eagles on the weekend. But the Eagles reminded the up and coming side that there remains plenty of work to be done before the Blues can truly match it with the big boys of the OAFL – outlasting a battling Blues side in the final quarter to hold on for a nail-biter of a win.

The Blues with some omissions from their Rnd 1 winning side came into the match with a re-jigged forward set-up. Adam “Hollywood” Martin started up as the Blues full forward and instantly repaid his coach’s faith in him providing plenty of leads outrunning his bigger, stronger and more experienced Eagles defender - managing 2 goals in the opening quarter before being shifted back out onto his usual wing position for the rest of the game. His first goal was from a mark on the lead, and the second a clever snap after receiving a handball out from a pack. Jaye Macumber was not to be out-done, getting onto the end of a kick from his midfield and converting a nice goal 40m out from goal. Best on Ground Matty Hoffman was outstanding in the midfield winning plenty of hardballs for his running teammates. While at the other end the Eagles struggled to get the ball into their forward zone – as the Blues defense (who were tremendous all day) battled hard to limit the opportunities the Eagles had. Accurate kicking and great defense allowed the Blues to head into the first break with an 18-15 lead. 

Ando Breaks a Tackle

The second half saw the Blues fight back scoring 2 goals and 3 behinds. The first Blues goal came from the lively Jason Cain – who had snaked forward for a set shot goal. Kien “Keno” La piped up for a goal on the run to get the Blues within reach. However the Eagles made the most of their limited opportunities up forward to score two of their own to retain a 42-34 lead at the end of a hot 3^rd quarter shoot-out. The Blues rookies shone in the second half with Ivan “Maddog” Ouellette and Jack Humphrey outplaying their seasoned Eagles opponents in the 3^rd and 4^th quarters. Maddog who has really found his feet in the Blues forward zone cemented his position in the forward line-up with another stand out showing in his second ever game in the OAFL. Jumpin Jack used showed fitness and accountability will be very useful for the Blues in the 09 season, given the task of running with one of the Eagles most active midfielders, shutting his opponent down in the second half. 

Carlos and Disco attack in numbers

This was the closest the Central Blues have come to knocking off one of the leagues “Big” clubs. The Blues had their chances but lacking in the killer-instinct that more established clubs have saw the Blues fall short against the Eagles. Promisingly for the Blues, there remain a few key players to come back into the Blues A-grade side in Elliott Chun, Rob Chapman, Jared Postance, and 09 rookie Denton Levy.  The loss leaves the Blues at 1-1, as they head out of town for another tough roadtrip game in round 3 against the ever-dangerous Hamilton Wildcats - who pushed the Hawks in their opening round match before crushing the struggling Demons in round two with a 139-9 demolishment. The Blues will need to play at their absolute best in order to walk away from Mohawk Park with the 4 points.

On a side note, Hoffy played in his last game for the season and will be sorely missed by the Blues – as the tough big man walks away from the OAFL to continue on with his travels – averaging a goal a game and a BOG performance to boot. The club wishes Hoffy all the best for the remainder of his adventures in North America – and will always have a spot for spot for him should he decide to continue on with his OAFL stint.