Match Reports

Supers v Hammond Park

Wembley had 11 players at 1 pm, 30 minutes before bounce down. Three seniors stepped up, 3 state players from the Makos and Nippo from Hamond Park kindly agreed to pull on a jumper for us. We had 18, or at least that’s what we thought until mid way through the first quarter when we realised only 2 from the Makos had pulled on the jumper (Lunty and Tiges). Despite being a man down we managed to go into qrt time a few points in front.

Poobah showed you don’t lose skills. BP reminded me of 2006 Adam Hunter, switching between back and forward and jagging a tricky goal late in the game. COGS noted post game how easy playing full forward is when you have Tails 1, 2 and Higgs delivering the footy to you. Tails 1 or was it 2, (the taller one) played his best game of the season taking strong contested grabs and show casing the family foot skills. The other Tails barely lost a contest through the middle of the ground all day.

The highlight of the day was Whitey’s chase down tackle. His run started in our forward pocket, the ball was kicked to a contest on the opposition half back line. We lost that contest and the ball moved further up the ground to a seagull on the wing. The tenacious Whitey, (Or Matt Shirvington as he will be known now), unperturbed by a bloke 30 m in front of him set off to at least put pressure on the kicker. He closed the gap to within 10m and we started to believe the impossible might happen. Surely enough a second later, a miracle happened, albeit with a dubious umpiring decision. I think it was better than anything on offer in the link below. Unfortunately he twinged his hamstring and spent the rest of the game in the forward pocket, after staring up forward in the first half.

Chidz’s intercept marking was a feature of the backline. Dol was rock solid at Full Back, his opponent was the main target up forward and don’t think he kicked a goal. Craig is the latest addition to the backline family, and is fitting in like a glove (or golden fist)

Height is not a strength in our side. Lunty showed his class in the Ruck in the first half, unfortunately not sure he plays many more games for us. On a positive note, Duncan showed not only is he one of the best CHB’s in the comp, he can also play ruck.

Dan’s marking up on the wing was important, so good to have a get out target coming out of the backline. His composure, vision and decision making in the congestion has improved out of sight.

Danners tackling is inspirational, today was no different. He brought down the biggest players on the field like he was 100kg man mountain. At one stage Hammond Park tried to tag him, but you need to be a marathon runner to keep up and really turned out to be feeble tagging attempt at the end of the day.

Wembley and its ring ins won the game, getting better as the game wore on. After a couple games in the wet, I think it was great to watch the team show case its skills in a beautiful day for football.

The writers 3 votes were as follows

3- Higgs, managed to find 2 state player to fill in. (need to work on some transfer papers)

2- DV who helped out running water and proving admin support during the week as well as game day (thanks)

1- The weather, what a great day for footy and we escaped relatively injury free.

– Ben “B2” Burges

Masters v Hammond Park

Round 7 sees the Wembley masters travel down to Warnbro to take on Hammond Park.

I walk in the change rooms and say hello to Bassie and then he comes out with “This looks like a good area surely we can leave our gear inside the change rooms”. I give him a quick rundown on the area telling him don’t worry about your footy bag Bassie worry about having lock nuts on your wheels so you have a car to drive home so maybe don’t leave your bag in this room much to his surprise.

The mood in the change room quickly changed with the stalwarts of the Wembley Vets entering with their pigeon chests puffed out talking up the big game this afternoon and how the Brown and Gold was in town.

In the end they actually demolished the opposition who actually played like pigeons and I think Irish has found his next team with his good mate Wal finally converting him going off the pictures on social media going around after the game.

There was an even bigger commotion in the room when Rookie walked in and Sarge was quick to tell him don’t bother leading if Cogs is having a shot because he won’t even consider passing so save your legs, well done Rookie on your return!

With Dozer a late out, Sammy realising it’s not safe to rock a headband in Warnbro and Josh running late not realising the time zone change when you cross the border that far south things didn’t start well with AJ and Poohbah being promoted to the starting line up with seconds to go before bounce down.

First quarter was an even contest with Hammond Park allowing Irish to get one ruck tap and then putting their real ruckmen in the middle to stop anymore hit outs to advantage for Wembley. Backline was under pressure early but was rock solid with efforts from Bryn, Poohbah, Scotty and Noel keeping the opposition honest and repelling multiple attacks.

The second quarter was much the same with Wembley starting to get on top with some good work from Mikey, Wal and Joda through the centre and Wattsie and Cogs up forward so at half time it was anyone’s game considering AJ’s goal kicking radar was well off.

The third quarter was the same as last night with the ump’s thinking the team from Hammond Park were actually from Kardinia Park and did the opposition look good in light green, (thanks GOD). Some very suspect decisions getting Wembley not focussing on the task at hand and letting Hammond Park back into the game with Irish and Sarge were clearly wearing bombers jumpers and therefore getting no love from the umps at all.

Luckily Wembley got back their composure in the last quarter and thanks to some length of the ground running from Bassie getting on the end of a couple of goals we made the long drive back up the freeway with the W!

– Brock “Brocky” Llewellyn

Seniors v Mandurah Makos

This is my first ever match report, so aside from not being as creative and colourful as some of the previous reports I am also still getting used to the game and the team. Luckily, I took a photo of the game board so I could remember everyone and where they played. If I have missed anyone, please accept my apologies. I am also half blind so didn’t see much further than 50 metres away! So, please read it with all those excuses in mind.

Yet again we were playing a long way from home at Warnbro, which was a long drive that required a few stops for both lunch and directions. The home team had put in a solid effort to host. The ground was in reasonable shape despite the soaking it had received over the previous week or so. It was beautiful day for football without a cloud in the sky so there were going to be no place for excuses. There was a reasonable wind that favoured the southern end that had some impact but not that much that it changed the course of the game.

We were short by five or six players on the day due to injuries and other conflicting commitments such as a West Coast Eagles game. As a result, a couple of the boys with contacts started looking around for guys who would be willing to play with us. Luckily a few Rockingham blokes were brave enough to pull on the Wembley jumper. Despite this the game was played with sixteen on each side. This opened up the ground for those who felt inclined to use the space. Most of the Wembley team (except a few like me) played for the Masters in the game before so all in all we really started behind the eight ball.

The backline was put under a fair bit of pressure all game so I will start there….

Bryn was a stalwart as always and lead from the last line of defence. Standing strong taking a mark, getting the ball in the pack or just bowling Makos out of the way.

Poobah, despite having played a game already, made numerous interceptions at pace and sent the ball back to where it had come from to set us up for scoring opportunities.

Youngie was strong and going in to get the hard balls [ed: that’s what SHE said]. Time and time again he repulsed incursions into the Mako’s forward line.

BP also held strong and made sure the Makos had to earn every possession and entry into their attacking 50.

Cogs, was a ring in (under 50 I believe) and played all over the field. Although at one point he was relegated to my position in the forward pocket because he was not allowed to play in a key position (which says something!) but he soon drifted back into the mid field. He got a lot of the ball all over the ground.

As always, Wattsie was everywhere and set up a lot of our forward incursions. Given he had already played a game he showed an amazing level of fitness for the ground that he covered.

Lui always seemed to be loose and presented options on his wing. He just seemed to be able to get away from his opponent and get the ball down the field.

Werners was strong, rucked well and took plenty of marks at the right time. He just seemed to be able to shrug off Makos at will.

Mikey was everywhere but seemed to be more in defence (maybe a reflection of the game) than attack. He got a lot of the ball and made a real difference. Unfortunately, near the very end of the game he did a hamstring and hobbled off. Hopefully he will be ok soon.

Eppo was all over the field as well. Found the ball and delivered it deep into attack on numerous occasions. He just seemed to keep running and leaving the Mako’s in his wake.

Rookie presented well in the forward line and created plenty of opportunities in his first game back (that I have seen anyway). Would be great to have him in the forward line more often.

AJ was always busy, got plenty of the ball and delivered lots of opportunities to others on the full forward line. His kicking was always to the right spot.

It was great to see Joey back at full forward in his first game back this season. He led numerous times and presented well. He also scrambled around on the ground the get the hard balls. Looking forward to seeing him more often as a key target.

All in all, a good game played in great spirit. Whilst we never keep score the accountant in me could not help doing so and I think we may have just been a little short of the Makos. But pretty good in the circumstances. Well done to all, especially those who played two games and in some cases three, showing awesome commitment to the club.

– David “Macca” McMahon