Senior Summer Splash Finals & 2024-25 Junior Comp R14

Women's A Grade - Bronze Medal Game 🥉

Report by Torben Fink-Jensen

We had 11 v 10 so in good shape to beat Monash for 3rd place, having not lost to them this season. We were able to start fairly strongly and Emmy received the ball in space to beat the keeper in the bottom corner of the net. Emily was doing a good job of getting in front of her opponents. She did manage to get a break at one point and received a perfect ball through. She was on track for a goal until her Monash opponent chose to give up a penalty by grabbing her shooting arm from behind. Alex had no trouble putting it away. Monash scored a consolation goal at the end of the quarter for a 2-1 scoreline. Essendon were again in control of the game in the second with plenty of chances while shutting down Monash attacks. Phoebe was getting squashed in CF but still managed a corner shot, before Bene had a shot from the circle to put Essendon in control. Monash again snuck a goal at the end of the quarter making it 4-2 at half time. The 3rd quarter was all one way traffic with Phoebe scoring an identical goal as in Q2, before Emmy also sent in 2 identical goals both from the left flank beating the despairing goalie. Katie was keeping them out at the other end, and Alex was proving dynamic in midfield, defending, assisting and then attacking and scoring. A handy 8-2 lead by the end of the third. In the final quarter, Essendon put the icing on the cake, with goals to Alex and Mietta after driving close to goal, and Kyrene with a slick shot into the corner. Monash got one goal, but that was it and Essendon came away comfortable winners to secure 3rd place in the comp.

Essendon defeated Monash : 11 - 3  Goals : Alex 3, Emmy 3, Phoebe 2, Mietta 1, Kyrene 1, Bene 1

BELOW : Our Women's A grade side in action against Monash (photos courtesy of Torben Fink-Jensen, see more on our FB page)

Women's B Grade - 5th Vs 6th Playoff

Report by Lisa Murray-Segal

This was our last game for the competition and probably the season with MSAC closing it's doors for renovation.  We finished bottom of the B grade ladder, with 4 of the 5 teams we played against quality SL2 sides.  In the end, it all boiled down to this last game, having not had a win all comp - we could still finish 5th instead of 6th with just the one win tonight.  So we were keen to get things started against Monash, and we did so with confidence wanting to do well.  Polina opened our account and that was followed by LisaMS after we earned a kick out. Monash managed just a single, so for the first time all comp we went into the break ahead 2-1.  Monash re-grouped and came out harder in the second.  We missed our shots and they capitalised on the turnovers as we failed to cover all players breaking away.  They shot 3 unanswered goals and we went into the halftime break down 2-4.  Things didn't improve in the third, as our defense consistently had holes, and we struggled to have a CF in place that could control the ball and feed out the passes.  We had one hit, with Megan slotting a nice goal.  The score blew out to 3-8 as we contemplated our moves for the final quarter.  The girls stepped up and our defence got tighter despite everyone tiring.  Our bench of 4 had been well used all night, and Sal's fresh legs gave us a solid break, which she backed up with a goal.  Monash managed another 2 before the final whistle blew on our game.

Well done to all the girls - who have persevered through some difficult games this comp. And special thanks to Libby and Hannah who have done our table duty over that journey too!

Sadly we say goodbye to one of our most talented players in Taryn (who's off to the UK to work!) - you will be sorely missed!!

Essendon were defeated by Monash : 4 - 10  Goals : Polina 1, LisaMS 1, Megan 1, Sally 1

BELOW : Our Women's B grade side in action against Monash (photos courtesy of Torben Fink-Jensen, see more on our FB page)

Men's C Grade - Gold Medal Game 🥇

Report by Hayden Woods

It was with some trepidation that the Essendon Mens Team entered MSAC on a pleasant Thursday evening for the Summer Splash Grand Final, facing off against a powerhouse Richmond outfit that had dismantled us to the tune of 5 goals last time we met.  A number of '2nd place is the first loser' outcomes from several recent GFs also weighed heavily on the team.  Crowds were up by 400% on normal, with all 4 supporters concerned by the constant questions about 'table duty experience' (thanks again to Sam Jnr's Dad for managing the table for the game, and to Silver Foxette Carlie who has been a stalwart all season).  The game started off a tight affair, and it quickly became apparent that the Essendon team weren't anywhere as outmatched as the last outing with scores locked at 2-all at quarter time.  There was plenty to inspire early confidence, with Essendon moving freely around the pool and limiting Richmond's opportunities.  The past meeting had provided Essendon with a good look at the opposition's main strategies to manage our Centre Forward powerhouses of Ryan Mills and Lee The Silver Fox, with counter strategies reinforced to the team by Ryan throughout the game.  With a full complement of 6 on the bench to Richmond's 2, the speed and jump in the game started to shine for Essendon in the 2nd quarter, which combined with volunteer goalkeeper Andy's heroics in the 2nd and 3rd kept Richmond scoreless while Essendon continued to slowly but steadily build a lead at the other end, in particular with Ryan Mills adding goals in every quarter.  Defensive pressure was immense across the pool, breaking up attacks by forcing poor passes and promoting steals and turnovers with abandon.  Frustration became evident in the Richmond team who became heavier with their play as the game went on, however Essendon remained focused on the task at hand and continued to pile on the pressure, leveraging disciplined use of the bench to keep the tempo uncomfortably high.  Passes, in particular long passes, were exquisite, opening up many more opportunities than the scoreboard gave credit for, and the number of sloppy turnovers given away was uncharacteristically minimal.  Richmond came out hard in the last quarter, with some opportunistic cherry picking, but were only able to match Essendon's scoring output thanks to the efforts of Paul 'The  Mantis' Hunter in goals for the final term and the Mills Brothers keeping Essendon's scoresheet ticking over at the other end.  Emblematic of the elevated performance of the Essendon team was the final minute 5m penalty goal by Ambrose Mills, lifting the team's 12mth conversion average to 7% (noting the Silver Fox-excluded conversion rate is 26%).  This was a performance even greater than the immense Haydo Hatrick of 2023 which is often discussed in polite circles as a defining moment in EWPC folklore.  When the final whistle blew, Essendon found themselves well in front for a convincing premiership win.  Although sadly being the Summer Splash we didn't get a medal😞 Great work boys, everyone played brilliantly and had a huge impact on the game.  

Essendon defeated Richmond : 8 - 4  Goals : Ryan 4, Ambrose 2, Paul 1, Vincent 1

BELOW : Our Men's C grade side before and after their Grand Final game (photos courtesy of Hayden Woods)

Mixed 12&U / Girls 14&U

Last weekend both our Mixed 12s and Girls14s had a scheduled BYE - but both will be back to play their final games of this competititon this weekend. With the outcome of other games falling in our favor - our Girls 14s have now officially finished in 4th place, and will be playing in the semi finals this weekend with a chance to make the Grand Final game! Good luck girls!!!

Boys 14&U

Essendon/Monash were defeated by Richmond Yellow : 7 - 16  

Yth Boys

Essendon/Monash were defeated by MC Gold : 5 - 21  

Girls Combined

Essendon/Monash defeated Richmond Yellow : 8 - 0  (FORFEIT RECEIVED)

Jnr Men

Although the boys didn't get to play last weekend, they will be back in action on Sunday in a semi final against ladder leaders Richmond. If they can get passed that hurdle - they'll play in the grand final later that day. Good luck boys!

Essendon/Monash/NYP Dragons defeated DVE Aquatic : 8 - 0  (FORFEIT RECEIVED)