SUMMARY
In a low scoring, but free flowing game, little seperated the teams situated at opposite ends of the VAFA A grade ladder until the 22 minute mark of the final term. From that point Old Scotch added 3 goals to1 to defeat the gallant DLS by 20 points at the Camberwell Oval last Saturday.
Statistically it is difficult to discern how DLS did not win this crucial game in terms of the relegation scenario. DLS had more scoring shots 25:20. More entries to the scoring zone 57:39 and more centre clearances 15:10 which are usually a telling factors on this smallish goal to goal oval.
The 3rd term, which has been disasterous all season, was where the game was lost from a DLS perspective. 2 goals 7 behinds from 12 entries compared with Old Scotch’s 4.2 from 10 entries was decisive.
Again the back 6 had very good games headed by Luke Jarvis, who won many contests against the talented Adam Houlihan ,Tom Moloney and Dan Close. Jacob Gotch and Jarrod Moloney were outstanding at the stoppages in the absence of Aaron Shields.
Nathan Roberts and Sam Pickett did well in the on ball division after injury prevented young ruck Sam Nethersole’s participation after half time. Matt Moore battled gamely all day against multiple opponents and with an ounce of luck would have added significantly to his tally of 3 goals.

QTR1
For the second successive week the opening was a tense affair with Old Scotch getting the 1st major after
16 minutes of play. Luke Jarvis was winning the contest with OS Houlihan handsomely. Their aerial display was intriguing. The intensity was high on the relatively compressed oval. Another 6 minutes elapsed before quick ball movement around the grandstand side resulted in a boundary throw in in the forward pocket. A superb hit out was gathered by the swooping Jeff Morel whose snap was a gem. Swift ball movement out of defence got the ball to Jacob Gotch on the wing. He switched play to Michael Duggan who marked and passed accurately to the leading Matt Moore and he kicked truly for DLS second.
As happens far too often for comfort, the opposition goaled on the siren when Houlihan won out in the tight contest with Jarvis.

QTR2
Trailing by 1 point DLS attacked repeatedly but to no avail. OS in contrast rarely ventured forward. When they did at the 6 and 13 minute mark they achieved the maximum result to lead by 9. Missing the pressure Aaron Shields provides Jarrod Moloney and Jacob Gotch filled in admirably. David Lowe who in characteristic fashion was contesting fiercely but uncharacteristically was missing targets roved a brilliant Ben Mannix hit out close to goal to score for DLS at the 18 minute mark. Ben Corin pressing hard from half back kicked long but the kick faded to the pocket where the irrepressible Mannix, showing superior judgement, marked behind the pack and calmly goaled with a reverse kick from the boundary.
DLS was at last getting some reward for its domination. OS, for only the 6th time in the quarter, entered their scoring zone where Allan Greenhalgh marked superbly. Attempting to switch play he kicked the ground on disposal which gave Houlihan a gift goal and restore their slender lead.
Corin gathering around CHB delivered deep into the forward zone where Mannix again showing superb judgement out marked the pack and playing on passed to Michael Duggan whose long goal gave DLS a 4 point margin at the break. The comparative effectiveness of the forward deliveries was stark! OS, 3 goals from 6 entries: DLS, 3 goals from 15 entries!

QTR3
IDetermined to remove the 3rd quarter bogy DLS were fierce in the contests. Tom Moloney, Dan Close and Josh Oakley were gaining many possessions and providing a steady flow of opportunities to Moore, Mannix and Olmo Salvatore who was winning aerial duels around the half forward line. But again it was OS which achieved the 1st blood this time through Doherty. DLS pressed but the Sam Williams snap just faded for a behind and Matt Moore hit the post after receiving a belated free for a shove in the back. Moore marked low to the ground after Matt Fieldsend gathered a contested ball, burnt off all tacklers and passed superbly to the fast leading Moore who got the radar working from a sharpish angle.
It had taken 10 minutes but DLS edged the margin up to 8 points in a low scoring, fiercely contested game in which neither team conceded anything.
Houlihan got his 2nd “earned” goal and when Doherty followed up soon after with his 4th, the effectiveness of the OS delivery was again on display. 6 minutes elapsed before Josh Oakley hand passed to the running Duggan whose long shot scored to regain the lead admittedly by only 1 point. OS goaled very late in the quarter but Duggan after a strong contested mark just missed with a long shot after the siren which left OS in front by 3 points going into the final stanza.

QTR4
With the season on the line for DLS and the prospect of the double chance for OS, the contest for possession was intense. Heavy rain during the 3rd term had made conditions slippery and the ball more so. 8 minutes elapsed where the only score was a DLS behind. With play continually in the DLS half, the OS forward line was wide open and they goaled after the quick transition. Doherty leading wide marked and goaled from distance and suddenly at the 13 minute mark OS led by 13. 5 minutes of disputed ball ended when Fieldsend gathering a long delivery from Corin again passed to Moore who secured his 3rd for the match. Margin was back to 8 but DLS could not reduce the margin further despite constantly being in attack. Nath Roberts, the sole DLS ruck after Sam Nethersole was unable to continue after half time deflected several OS moves out of defence and sustain the forward pressure. Suddenly OS broke through and scored 3 goals in under 3 minutes to secure the match.
DLS although disappointed were not dispirited and renewed their assault. Close, after a long winding run, passed to Williams who snapped truly but the margin was 20 points on the wrong side of the ledger.
One telling statistic: OS % of goals to forward entries 36%. DLS 16%


Colin Glover
Secretary De La Salle OCA FC Inc