Home of the Central Blues Australian Football Club

In the OAFL's first ever Hammer Double-Header, the Blues faced off against rivals Guelph Gargoyles - following the Wildcats V Eagles game (which for the record saw the Eagles remain undefeated after 4 rounds in 2010, with the Premiership favourites holding on for a W in a close game over the hometown favourites). This game was also Adam "Hollywood" Martin's 50th game in Blues colours - so the club was pumped to give the speedy midfielder a milestone game to remember after the let down experienced last week against the the Eagles in Chap's career 50th. Unfortunately due to injuries the Blues went into this game with a few big outs as Canadian Daniel "D-Train" Zimmerman and Aussies Jason Cain and Leon McConville-Brain all unavailable for selection. 

But as always with players sitting out - means opportunities for those who wait. Kenny "Gambler" Wong and Ivan "Milat" Ouellette slipped into the line-up as number 1 rovers rotating off the bench, with both players relishing the increased workload and responsibilities.

Blues Captain Jacob Sone won the coin toss and had his side start the game kicking with a 2 goal breeze. Sone wasted no time with his team's advantage, winning the first ball up before handing off to the infamous Sean "Shorty" Goedheer who dished off to Aussie big man Matt Dunne who converted for a huge goal in the first 10 seconds of the game. In case there was any lingering doubts that this would be a long day for the ever-tough Guelph Gargoyles, the Blues followed the opening goal up with another goal to Canadian big-man Denton Levy, before Blues up and coming 17 year old youngster Victor "Ocho" Cinco  kicked his first major for the Blues to see the Central boys up by 3 goals in the first 10 minutes of the game. Ocho played a blistering game in only his second appearance in the OAFL to claim the Blues Best on Ground honours - in what surely has to be a club record as the club's youngest BOG winner (Not official - but official enough for our website). Not wanting to be outdone Martin weighed in with a goal of his own to start his 50th in true Hollywood style. Meanwhile on the other end of the field, the Blues back-line was repelling everything that the Gargoyles threw at them - holding the Guelph side to only 1 behind for the opening stanza. Ever-green veteran Bruce Parker was at his hardhitting self, while Andrew "Boota" Booth simply dominated at half-back to help set up the Blues forward thrusts as the Blues closed out the first quarter 33-1 up.

With the Guelph side kicking with the aid of the breeze in the second quarter the action was all Gargoyles. Thankfully the Blues back-line lead brilliantly by Parker and Sone were sensational. The Blues "wall" were relentless in their pressure and over the course of the quarter and under immense pressure from a determined Guelph side incredibly managed to once again keep the Gargoyles goalless. The rare scoring opportunity for the Blues was snapped up by Dunney who kicked his second for the day to see the Blues go into the main break with a handy 36 point lead.

At the start of the third quarter the Blues midfield lead by Karl Lombadozzi and Goedheer took control of the contest. The twin Neil McNeil High School 17 year old rotating wingers of BOG Cinco and Kevin "Shaft" Callendar were tackling the Guelph players like their lives depended on it - as both players used their speed and endurance to put themselves in the thick of the action seemingly all over the ground. Another Canadian rookie in Steven "Snorkel" Rutledge  was enjoying yet another great game killing the ball dead in every marking contest that came his way in the backline - whilst using his speed in running of his opponent on his way to the Blues Top Contributor Award for the game. Milat and Gambler started to get their hands on the ball and feed out some cracking handpasses and it was the Blues runners in Kien "Keno" La, Boota and returning Aussie Kyle "KP" Pinto who reaped the benefits of the their supply. Pinto in his first game back after returning to Australia at the end of the 2009 season made an instant impact to collect 2 goals for the day. At three quarter time the Guelph side still were unable to overcome the Blues dominant backline and with Rob "Chaps" Chapman, Sone and Dan "D2" Lock rotating through as ruckman to combat Northwind & Guelph bigman Chris "Lingus" Cunning to give the Blues midfield first use of the ball- the Blues managed to bang on 4 goals including some great running team goals to see the Blues finish the third in a commanding 69-6 scoreline.

At the three quarter time break, Blues coach Jaye Macumber asked for his troupes to continue their efforts in maintaining their defensive pressure - as he knew that the Guelph side has never been capable of throwing in the towel regardless of the scoreline. And as expected Guelph were not quite done yet and managed to bang through their first goal of the afternoon at the start of the last quarter. Given the lead, the Blues took the opportunity to expose some players to more match time and new positions with Jason "Chief" Caissie and Arnaud Marthouret got their chances to get out there and they didn't let their team-mates down as they both made some great plays with the Chief giving a cracking handpass and shepherd to help open up the field for Bruce to run through and set-up Dunney for his 3rd an final goal of the day. The Blues following their coach's instructions to the tee was exemplified with Ewan "Obi" Williams late in the last quarter bobbing up to spoil a Guelph disposal before winning the loose ball and passing off to set up a brilliant team-effort goal. With the siren sounding the Blues had tackled and shepherded their way to a brilliant 12 goals to one victory to see the Blues 3-1 after 4 rounds of footy.

Speaking with the coach at the end of the game he had this to say about the win. "It was a magnificent team effort- with the entire back-line in shutting down the Guelph's forwards to only one goal shows that they are one of the OAFL's going around when they're on song." The coach also had high praise for his Canadian rookies "I'm most excited about our 2010 Canadian prospects in Ocho, Shaft, Vossy (Riley Armstrong) and Snorkel who all played well above their less than 4 games experience. I hope these guys will be the DTrains, Parkers, Sones, Postances and Kenos of the Blues in the next few years."

Round 5 sees the Blues take on yet another 2010 finals contender in the Toronto Dingos. In the past, games against the Dingos have always had plenty of heat as both "Downtown" clubs have always enjoyed a healthy rivalry. The Blues and Dingos trained side by side in the OAFL run pre-season open sessions for new players at the UCC Bubble - and both sides will be keen to match the rookies developed from those sessions head to head in this game. The Dingos demolished the Swans despite being short of a full side - and have once again shown that they're a side not to be underestimated. The Blues will need to be at their very best to ensure that they walk away with the 4 points.

To see more pictures from the game please click HERE.