Match Reports

Supers v Whalers Supers

The Supers boys headed to Joondalup Arena on Sunday night for the biggest game of the year, facing off against the Whalers under the lights. From the first bounce, the boys started strong, hitting their contests hard and setting the tone for a fiercely competitive match.

The backline was a fortress throughout the game, with Benny leading by example. He held the Whalers’ full forward to minimal impact, effectively neutralizing one of their key threats. Debutant Greg also put in an impressive performance, seamlessly fitting into the defensive lineup and contributing significantly to the team’s efforts.

In the midfield, the boys excelled, providing consistent run on the expansive Joondalup ground. Bassie provided a great contest against the Whalers’ huge ruckman, giving the Supers a crucial advantage. The big ruckman was instrumental in setting up a nice goal with a lot of effort out of the midfield, showcasing his ability to turn the tide in the Supers’ favour.

The forward line was dynamic, capitalizing on most entries into the forward 50. Their movement and coordination kept the Whalers’ defence under constant pressure, resulting in a steady flow of goals. Despite the great physical game and a valiant effort, the boys faced adversity as injuries left them with no bench towards the end of the match. This ultimately saw them fall short, going down by a few goals.

Nevertheless, the team’s performance was commendable, and they showed immense resilience and determination. The Supers boys now look forward to bouncing back and getting back on the winners’ list in their next match against Ellenbrook in North Fremantle.

– Reporter: Sam Whitehead

Masters v Whalers Masters

Darren Harris……..Neil Mildenhall…….Paul Mifka,…… Just some of the greats who have plied their trade on the hallowed Arena Joondalup turf. On a rainy Sunday afternoon, the Wembley Vets Masters added another 16-ish names to the list as we took on high-flyers the Western Whalers.

Despite the threat of inclement weather, numerous injuries, Uni suffering patient-zero status for the new COVID variant, and some blokes playing their second game in 24 hrs – the Wembley boys were charged to make a good show of it.

Coach Dan’s work just to get a team on the park was impressive enough. With only 8 confirmed starters as of Friday, I was concerned there wouldn’t be any Masters brilliance to cheer for. The Arena Stands would be quiet, no “Shut up Irish”, no “ouch”, and no “21 Oceanic Drive – bring your credit card”…. But Coach Dan’s offer of playing 9 forward pockets worked wonders.

The game started with Wembley’s Defence absorbing a lot of pressure. The Whalers linking a few nice exchanges through the midfield and the ball was entrenched in our 50m – enter big Benny O’Leary – winning contest after contest and showing the Whalers the quickest way to the wet grass is via his shoulder cannon. Over the course of the first quarter the Wembley boys got on top, kicking the opening goal and taking the lead into the first change – which concluded when some bloke started whistling like a broken car alarm – Paul Mifka never experienced this I’m sure.

The second stanza followed a similar story, more Whalers pressure followed by more Benny physicality – now parting contests like Moses parting the Red Sea, and the Wembley mids started
finding a bit of momentum – led by Josh, Geoff’s good hamstring, and 43-year-old Marcus ushering the White V to a double-digital lead at the long break.

“Kick it down this wing” billowed the coaching staff and senior players during the half time spray. It will get bogged if we kick it “Over there”.

The Wembley boys proceed to open the second half by kicking it “Over there” and a bogged tussle ensued.

Not fearing the deteriorating conditions, Irish battled admirably in the ruck and Daz showed why he’s earned the nickname “he’s such a terrier” with a great run-down holding-the-ball tackle followed by
slotting home a delicious goal. I fully expected the crowd to roar a deafening roar, with Daz’ family in the stands and the grandstand bulging at near capacity, but realised no one can see goals kicked from the city end owing to a misplaced roof blocking any visibility from the second tier – well done WAFL.

Wembley’s impressive play continued, adding goal after pressure act after goal. The momentum was well and truly with us when the ball bounced advantageously to our sublimely positioned forward
pocket to experience one of the great joys of our game – running into an open goal. From my position I could clearly see the eyes dilate and a huge smile adore our goalkicker’s face as he puts the game beyond doubt…… *Clunk*…. Alas it wasn’t to be. We’ve all been there JD, don’t sweat it mate.

We never keep score. But the game finished with Wembley defeating the Whaler 5.5: 35 to 2.6:18. Approximately.

From my point of view Benny was BOG with Irish drinking the most water, the latter even snatching back the bottle I kindly offered a dehydrated Whaler’s defender…… “Wharctch dis Garvvv!” as he
double-fists the entire 2 litres. The pettiness.

Well done to the Masters on their best performance of the season.

– Reporter: Gavin “Garvvv” De Corsey

Seniors v Central Crocs Seniors

My turn for a post-game wrap. Unlike previous write-ups by some of the club’s most creative minds, I have more of a scientific brain, so have elected to perform something of a post-mortem style report, summarising everybody’s individual performances…

Once again, I packed my lunch (or in this case, stopped by for a microwavable chicken hero from the Midvale 7-eleven), for a back-to-back fixture at Ron Jose. The thing about driving out to Ron Jose, is if
you make one wrong turn, you end up in Meekatharra. A few hazards out at this ground, a cricket pitch, pot holes, and of course low lying QF233 as it approaches Perth Airport. Fortunately, we were assigned to the main oval, which had areas of flooding, but missed out on the opportunity for dermal extraction from the synthetic cricket pitch. The lights on the main oval were impressive – I believe it is a ‘Royalties for Regions’ thing. The cricket pitch oval though looked like it was lit up by the iPhone torches from the spectators around the ground.

We were a few players down, but fortunately, the crocs were in a similar position. Wattsy arranged for Jimmy (from the Whalers) to come down for a run with us as he couldn’t make his masters team
on Sunday. He looked like our Jimmy, played like our Jimmy, and even smelt like our Jimmy. The only difference is he took one kick with his left foot, and he was found out. Was a great inclusion, well done Wattsy for getting him involved, playing in the middle and resting up forward. Knew sweet fanny adams about digital currency so not a true doppleganger.

Wattsy played on the wing, presented himself all night long with a fair bit of mileage clocked up. A minor altercation with his opponent, exchanging unpleasantries with each other, but Wattsy won’t
tolerate fools, and won’t hesitate to let them know about it!

Simmo, as always, like a thoroughbred horse out of the gates of Flemington bursting out of defence. Once possession is gained and there’s that little bit of space in front of him, then look out! With breakneck speed, he was poetry in motion….up until the part where he grabbed at his hamstring.

Speaking of breakneck speed, let’s talk about Poobah. With explosive speed and incredible chase downs, combined with some beautiful kicking. There was one contest up on the wing, I could have
sprinted over to try and win the ball, and thought, nah I’m not going to commit to that length of sprint, only to have Poobah scream past for the 30m sprint, on top of the 100m sprint from the full back line to make it! To quote him, “Joff I was fucked after that run”, with my opponent mumbling to me “that goes against the whole ethos of seniors footy to chase down like that”.

Youngy got plenty of the footy, putting himself in the line of fire on many occasions, without any intimidation from the more thick-set crocs, always quite the inspiration to be playing along side him.

Prindi was sublime with his skills and evasiveness around the wings. At one stage, respected Crocs elder Doug was trying to poach him for the states over 60’s. A little offended by this, a sturt reply of ‘fuck off Doug, I’m only 58”. Well that’s how interpreted your response anyway Prindi.

The biggest stand out for the night was Mike E. Under those big bright lights, donning a glowing napisan white long sleeve footy jumper, there was no missing him! There’s no doubt he would poll votes. He lead well all night, and also lead the quarter time huddles. No Ron Barassi or Brynna type sprays, but he finds other ways to get the wind us up, nice work capt’n!

Werners was like Plugger at full forward, with a great physical presence, so much so, a couple of the croc’s noses were put out of joint. Even got JT way off side at one stage. I think they kissed and made up ultimately. He just brushed them off like Arnie walking away from an explosion, without turning to look over his shoulder. He should be a Hollywood leading man.

Spud, my God what a legend. Made his debut after a 30 year hiatus and what a re-start to his footy career! This is the stuff that forms the backbone of WVFC, and great to have been a part of this. Got well involved in the play without hesitation, tackling hard with a highlight holding the ball decision for him (even though Poobah was awarded the kick). Welcome to seniors footy Spud!

Space, I now know where he got the nickname. He lead into space all night long, taking some marks and banging a set shot goal where he put his own unique spin on the ball. Presented beautifully up forward all night wrong. He said to me in one of the huddles, “Joff, just kick it in to space whichever way you’re facing and I’ll hit it”. Love the grit in this guy.

It was Epo’s first game this year, and went where angels fear to tread, with his in and under Mike Rowney-esque style of footy. Went hard all night long in the middle of the ground, a massive tank and not only impressed his team mates but also his family who made the trip out for his 2024 debut!

Irish rucked all night long, an arduous task in such a slow pitch. The clearances were pretty even for the night, and Irish, I work off a digital clock, so stop giving me analog clock positions! Took some clean grabs with a wet footy, but from memory never dished off a handball which I thought was out of character for him. Backing it up with a game in the masters on the Sunday too where I’m sure he would have made up for the lack of handballs from the seniors game.

Macca was playing at his favourite ground, in fact, it’s the only ground he has ever played on in his veterans career! He continued the form from his debut the round prior and went in hard all night, with an unwavering ‘see ball, get ball’ attitude.

Our super athlete BOM, surely one of the biggest tanks in the seniors squad, running all night long, opening up the play. Unfortunately hampered by a possible mallet finger injury right near the end of the game.

Draggers presented with full body skins, and the only player who was sun smart for this game. Massive presence with a lot of physicality in his contests, and well needed out there Saturday night. It was lucky for the team after he threw himself on the list late on Saturday.

The umpire had to call a stop to the game halfway through the first quarter, reminiscent of the game against Fremantle in North Freo last year. The main difference is this was a game against a decent bunch of blokes. Whilst I was looking around for a mele it became apparent there was a deep pothole out near the wing and they were organising someone to come out with a bucket of sand to fill it in. Could have snapped an ankle or swallowed somebody whole.

Special mention to Magic and Brock for sacrificing their Saturday nights to come out and support us oldies. Could have used them out on the track, just needed a bit of talc to run through Brock’s hair.

Great night out by this legendary team, with some amazing personal milestones also, so well done to you blokes.

– Reporter: John “Joffa” Marsell