WSL2 - Report by Torben Fink-Jensen

Essendon started again with 13 this week vs Richmond's 8. Despite only having one sub, Richmond was a sterner test this week than NYP could muster last week. The game see-sawed for a 2-2 score before Richmond managed to put some pressure one-one one with our Centre backs leading to a 2 goal lead by the end of the first quarter.

In the second term, Richmond put on the afterburners, and apart from one good break for Essendon where their goalie managed an impressive save against Annie, and one penalty scored by Alex from a good turn by Annie, it was one way traffic as the Richmond players were difficult to stop at CF. If we double teamed them at CB, it left players free to shoot from the perimeter. As usual, they pushed the laws to the limits and with the refs not picking everything up, Richmond were able to profit : 3-9

The challenge continued in the third quarter with Essendon struggling to contain Richmond's fast breaks and their under the water play. Essendon were marginally more competitive and scored a couple of good goals to Phoebe and Annie, and it felt like towards the end of the quarter Essendon were getting some calls their way : 5-14

Essendon had their best passage of play over the first 3 minutes of the final quarter as we mixed strong defence with good attacks, and with the refs better up to speed, more decisions were coming our way. The highlight was Emily who had two strong defensive plays and then was able to turn out of goal and swim up the pool into clean water, and with others around her drawing the defenders, she carried on to the 6m mark, where she was able to sit up and hit the top corner of the net. 

Claudia also showed us how to score against their strong goalie by holding up the ball and shooting when she was on the way down, rather than just trying to smash through her.

Richmond has the last score of the day for a final win at 8-15. Although Essendon improved from week 3 where we lost to basically the same team 4-13, there are a number of aspects to work on if we are going to be competitive in finals next month. 

Essendon were defeated by Richmond Black : 8 - 15   

Goals : Alex 2, Phoebe 2, Claudia 1, Annie 1, Bene 1, Emily 1

Below : our WSL2 side in action (photos courtesy of Torben Fink-Jensen, see more on our FB page)

WSL3 - Report by Lisa Murray-Segal

Buoyed by our strong performance against the ladder leaders last week, we were hoping to carry that form into the game against St Caths. From our squad of 14, we had just 10 players make it to the pool and significantly one of those wasn't our star keeper Sandra - who suffered a broken rib in the Kap7 Ballarat Water Polo Cup on the weekend 😖. So Susan and LisaAs stepped up to fill some rather large shoes, having a half each. We were encouraged that StCaths only had 7 - no bench, but we were a less experienced side with first gamer Piper (welcome!), second gamer Gen and Cate (1st season) all lacking some pool positioning awareness and skills needed to survive a StCath's onslaught. The game started slowly with neither side gaining the upper hand and both missing goal opportunites. St Cath's scored the only goal for the term, but things picked up in the second quarer as they put away another 2. We couldn't muster a decent attack, and were crowding on the forward line, making it hard for our CF to get the ball without being intercepted. Our passes didn't help, and often the CF space was empty. Down 0-3 at half time we endeavored to make more room up front and start having shots as we'd hesitated a couple of times in the second, and lost the chance. But StCath's stepped up again, and we found ourselves well behind the eight ball. Some poor choices on the forward line meant better positioned players didn't get the ball, and we struggled to cover the counter attackes with players being caught ball watching and not player watching. So it was 0-6 when we started the final quarter. The same messages were enforced at the break, and we did a much better job of enacting them. We had better match ups, better set ups, Gen won the swim up, and with a few minutes left we had one of their players rolled for the game. So finally, we got some flow and consistency. Working well to get the ball up the pool, it was Gen who put both balls into the net to finally get us on the scorecard for the game.

A much better quarter/finish from everyone! Now we just need to see that through for 4 quarters!

Essendon were defeated by St Catherine's : 2 - 8    Goals : Genevieve 2

MSL4 (Editor)

Our MSL4 had a night off this week, with a scheduled BYE, but will have to bring their A game next week, up against 2nd placed MS Obsidian as they battle to stay in the top 4 and retain a finals berth.

MSL5 

MonashWhite/Essendon Vs  Northcote : score & outcome TBC

12&U Mixed (Editor)

This week was round 2 of our 3 rounds of clinics run by Water Polo Victoria, largely to assist all the new players in understanding the rules, and getting used to playing matches. This week, two sporting legends were on the pool deck to inspire our budding players. Former world champion swimmer Matt Welsh and three time Olympian water polo player Rowie Webster were poolside for training and specialist advise running a smaller sized more focussed clinic this week with Essendon, Geelong and the NYP Dragons.

14&U Boys - Report by Bec Kirby

The all-in, pre-game warm up set the tone for a friendly game between a combination team that included Northcote - vs Northcote! Players lined up in the pool eager to get started. We had front row seats at the scoring table this week and the boys put on quite a show for us! 

Defense was strong from both sides, with many one on one battles playing out and some exuberant scoring attempts, with some sneaking past the keepers for a goal. 

Lucas and Ashton had a great set up throughout the pool and they were rewarded with 2 goals each for the game. Gabriel and Xavier also found the back of the net for the combined team of champions.

The goalie cap was swapped like a hot potato at each break, as numbers meant no bench and the exhaustion was real.

Overall, this blended team of young powerhouse players are coming together in the pool and should be really proud of their game on Sunday.

Footscray/Essendon/Monash/Northcote were defeated by Northcote : 6 - 11    

Goals : Ashton 2, Lucas 2, Gabriel 1, Xavier 1

14&U Girls (Editor)

With Round 1 being a scheduled BYE, this week was the first time the team have come together. With 5 Geelong girls, 4 DVE Aquatic girls, 5 Ballarat girls and a single Essendon player in Anja. They had 2 matches to contend, with a picnic lunch / snacks to keep them occupied inbetween. Whilst the first game was a white wash, the second game saw Monash only field 7 girls - so the team handed over a few more to even numbers on both sides and ensure everyone had some meaningful game time. Whilst it wasn't deemed a scratch match, our more experienced side came away with the goods.

GAME 1 (11.30am) : Marlins / DVE / Essendon / Ballarat were defeated by Melbourne Collegians : 2 - 14

GAME 2 (12.50pm) : Marlins / DVE / Essendon / Ballarat defeated Monash : 11 - 3

Below : the 14&U Girls team photo for this week, with Geelong coach Lillian (back left) - photo courtesy of Kristin Thomas

Youth Boys (Jack) - Report by Ilona Elmore

Up against another Richmond side this week, could the boys keep the momentum after an impressive season start? A technical forfeit by Richmond Black for not enough players, so they pulled in a couple of 16s from one of their other teams who played the game before, allowing a scratch match to be played. Certainly not as much spark as the week before and plenty of missed shots at goals and stopped goals by a very impressive Richmond goalie. 

First half they dominated but the 2nd half was tougher and the boys looked a bit sluggish and were losing game structure. But they held it together and after a couple of major fouls, Jack entered the water late in the 4th quarter to assist in a couple of quick goals to seal the "friendly" win, 7-5.

DVE(Essendon) defeated Richmond Black : 8 - 0 (FORFEIT)

Youth Boys (Timo) 

Northcote(Essendon) were defeated by MC Gold : 0 - 8 (Forfeit)

Youth Girls - Report by Kate Simnett

The Highlighters (named for the fluoro caps supplied by our teammates from Geelong) were welcomed to the new water polo season with a double Richmond billing. A new season but also a new age group saw the girls up against some fast and fierce competition in the 16s.

Game 1 (8.00am) Vs Richmond Black

Our first match for the day saw some excellent efforts in swimming and passing but Richmond were stronger in using the width of the pool, setting up and shooting. Fitness was a bit of an issue with the final quarter seeing a blow out in the scoreline.

Essendon / Marlins were defeated by Richmond Black : 0 - 16

Game 2 (9.20am) Vs Richmond Yellow

Our second game was more matched and the girls found their voices to make sure passing was accurate. Two goals also restored a modicum of dignity!

Essendon / Marlins were defeated by Richmond Yellow : 2 - 13 Goals : Josie 1, Arly 1

Shout out to Brona and Ami 2 new Essendon players joining the core of girls that have been playing together for a year or so now – welcome and well done surviving the baptism of fire!

Junior Men - Report by Felix Neal

This weeks game had us facing up against a strong MC side. The first quarter saw us being down two early after a heavy counterattack. The half rolled around with a similar result going down 3-6. The third quarter we begun our push and managed to level it out right towards the start of the last quarter. However due to some poor choices and being out swam the margin blew out once again. down 11-6.

DVE(Essendon) were defeated by Melbourne Collegians Gold : 6 - 11

On Saturday, Essendon boys and girls made the long drive down the Western Highway to Ballarat to play in the 2^nd ever Ballarat Cup. The mixed Essendon team were amongst the 8 teams to compete for prestigious trophy honours. The rules were simple, play 4 games to be classified for a finals game and have at least one female in your team. The games were 5min quarters which was plenty given the number of games we played. The team proudly represented EWPC with all players putting in huge efforts. Essendon won 3 and lost 1 during the Round Robin part of the tournament which put us into the bronze medal match against Geelong Freeza.

At the start of 5^th game for the day it was clear our 40+ average age was an issue against our younger opposition – we had run out of petrol. A big shout out to all our players – we all tried hard but swimming became impossible for most of us. Lee and Ambrose kept battling but we just couldn’t support them enough. We finished the day in 4^th and proud of our efforts and all players were very tired. Thanks to everyone who played in the Ballarat Cup all our supporters and ex-EWPC member Melinda Childs for organising the event.

A big thank-you to Amber and Sandra Mink-Grobbe who played brilliant games all day.

Play of the day was Matty Luttrell teasing the opposition goalie by blasting the ball into him 3 times in a row before scoring the goal - fabulous!

Report by Marcus Jones

Below : Essendon's Senior Mixed team, that competed in the Kap7 Ballarat Water Polo Cup last weekend