SUMMARY

DLS, with on ballers Aaron Shields, Jacob Gotch and David Lowe dominant and providing a constant supply of quality delivery to key forwards Matt Moore and evergreen Ben Mannix, completely overwhelmed Old Trinity by 94 points at the Waverley oval. Matt Moore coming off a 10 goal haul in his previous outing collected another 8 in a fine display of leading, marking and accurate kicking for goal. Michael Duggan in a very welcome return to form, relished being left unattended for most of the game and duly amassed 32 effective disposals and many centre clearances. The DLS back 6 and Ryan Sherman under far less pressure due to OT’s flooding defensive strategy, blanketed their OT opponents and provided many scoring opportunities with penetrating runs and disposals to advantage. Youngster Matt Fenton with his strong tackles upset the OT forwards in a promising display. Captain Ben Corin returning from representative duties contained OT stalwart Andrew Ramsden which deprived OT of any forward effectiveness.
A feature of the game was the fierce effective tackling of Tom Moloney, Jarrod Moloney and the aforementioned on ballers.

Overall it was an inspiring performance which lifts DLS from the relegation zone and greatly improved its
percentage.

QTR 1
Despite several promising forward thrusts which resulted only in behinds, DLS was clearly on top with play constantly in its offensive area. Eventually from a typical Ben Mannix pack mark in the forward pocket, he played on and got DLS on the board after 5 minutes. Sam Williams roving the pack superbly snapped truly and DLS was away. Aaron Shields and Jarrod Moloney benefiting from the dominance of Chris Kelliher and partner Sam Nethersole continually put the ball to the advantage of DLS forwards. Michael Duggan relishing an unusual amount of freedom kicked long to the square where Mannix, marking superbly, kicked his 2nd.
A great piece of running football starting with Ryan Sherman at half back onto Jeff Morel to Tim Demetriou to Sam Pickett to Mannix, freed in the marking contest and his 3rd and DLS 4th was on the board. On their rare forward moves (only 7 entries for the quarter) OT was thwarted by Jeff Morel, Josh Oakley and Ben Corin although the whole back 6 were on top of their respective opponents.

QTR2
Leading 28:0 DLS was treated to a display of aggression from the OT players who no doubt had been “spoken to” in not so polite terms in the break. Their aggression was matched and even exceeded with the strong tackling of Joss Oakley, Tom Moloney and Will Fenton. BC had the dangerous Ramsden under control although the contest was intriguing. With OT’s Cultrera absent this was to be a decisive dual. OT registered 5 straight behinds before Jarrod Moloney on end of fine team work involving Jacob Gotch and Duggan, goaled on the run. Almost 8 minutes had elapsed as the game settled into much more of a contest.
DLS forwards were applying pressure resulting in a wayward kick in which was marked by Shields and his goal gave DLS a 35 point lead. Corin outplayed Ramsden, drove a long kick to Morel who crossed to Duggan who found Gotch and the lead was out to 40. David Lowe getting plenty of possessions kicked long to the flying Matt Moore who played on from the resultant mark and DLS was exhibiting terrific running team football.
Duggan left alone at centre bounces cleared with ease and precision. OT clearly frustrated and with a severe defensive flood employed, had forward thrust easily repelled until they registered their 1st major of the match at the 20 minute mark.
In a spirited passage of play neither team could break the deadlock until just on the half time siren Moore kicked his 2nd after the combination of Corin, Sherman, Lowe and Sherman again, delivered.

QTR3
The lead had stretched to 50 and OT had their pride on the line. Ramsden leading strongly got their 2nd. But their good play was all but undone by ill discipline which resulted in Shields gaoling after 3 successive 25 meter penalties. Shields had been felled after taking a courageous mark which earned the 1st 25 meter penalty.
Tempers frayed. Moore remonstrating with any OT player within reach! Oakley practicing wrestling throws etc was enjoying himself. After 10 minutes of fairly ugly football, Moore got his 3rd benefiting from some creative running and fine ball placement involving Close, Gotch, Tom Moloney and Demetriou. Soon after Gotch roving the boundary throw in passed to Mannix for his 4th and DLS 12th to stretch the margin to 64. A good day secured! Corin now clearly on top of Ramsden kicked across field to Mannix who passed to the running Shields who passed to Moore on the fast lead. His 4th resulted.
OT got their 3rd late in the quarter but their task looked beyond them given the absence of Cultrera with DLS having a commanding 65 point lead at ¾ time.

QTR4
Playing confidentially DLS added 7 goals to their tally with exception team football. Duggan continued to dominate around the centre while Moore advanced his tally to 8 with typical fast leads and spectacular pack marking. The ubiquitous Shields was in everything and even backs Morel & Fenton added to the growing goal tally. Ramsden as if to emphasise the importance of the now absent Corin kicked another 2 as OT kicked successive goals for the 1st time this game. The icing on the cake came from Sam Nethersole, receiving from Gotch, J Moloney and Shields, marked, played on to register a classic major. However even this was upstaged by the text book tackle right on the siren by Will Fenton which resulted in a well earned free kick and goal after the siren.

Colin Glover
Secretary De La Salle OCA FC Inc