Senior Summer Splash R7 & 2024-25 Junior Competition R13

Women's A Grade - Report by Torben Fink-Jensen

We had 8 v 12 tonight so we knew it would be a tough game, and in particular were without Kate in goals, leaving Lara to sub in. This also left us a bit light in Centre Back. We started well with Emily winning the swim-up, as she did 3x out of 4 and only losing by a finger tip the 4th time. Our attacks were pretty solid and we forced some good saves by their GK. We also forced some kickuts but couldn't get goals, Gen denied by good goalkeeping, getting a head to the nose for her troubles. The score was 0-3 at the end of the first. We started off the 2nd quarter in good shape with Maria passing to Mietta who was free for a goal, but the goal tide continued in favour of Richmond who were able to force good positions in front of goal and were able to get past Lara's valiant efforts. We again had good opportunities and it required some good saves to keep Essendon out. Richmond did get a couple of fast breaks on us which led to goals but otherwise we were competitive. Toward the end of the quarter a Richmond player was injured after swimming under Alex, and getting kicked out while also getting an elbow to the face. Pool medics were called as she suffered some kind of shock before eventually recovering and getting back into the pool finishing out the first half down 1-6. We had a better 3rd quarter with Gen managing to push off her CB and getting a penalty which Alex scored. Mietta sent in a strong shot for her 2nd, and Gen finally got her go and pushed it past the keeper, now 4-9. In the final quarter, the weight of numbers was starting to tell against us as the Richmond attacks became more consistent and our own kickout total expanded. Emmy picked up a pass from Alex in the midst of a kickout and slammed it past the goalie, but that was the only highlight for us as we ended up 5-14 and now lining up in the final week for a 3rd v 4th game against Monash.

Essendon were defeated by Richmond : 5 - 14 Goals : Alex 2, Mietta 2, Gen 1

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

Women's B Grade - Report by Lisa Murray-Segal

Our round 2 clash against ladders leaders Footscray ended with a 3-16 scoreline, after they played man-down for the entire second half. So we knew this week's clash would be brutal despite our comfortable squad of 10 Vs their bare 7. There were no friendly sportsmanship gestures this round as they looked to retain their 100% game win ratio prior to their Grand Final game next week. They went hard, notching up 6 unanswered goals in the first quarter as we struggle to make an impact on the forward line. Our defence held better for the second quarter as we managed to slow down the shots and create a bit of movement in attack, though we crowded our CF and they were sloughing back. With the half time score at 0-8, we felt we were starting to play better, but we struggled to get the referees onboard, with multiple whistle blowing turnovers for reasons we couldn't understand nor appearing to be reciprocated. Apparently drowning a CF prior to them getting a hand on the ball was OK too. There was quite a difference in skill set between a low level SL3 side (us) and a top level SL2 side (them). But we soldiered on, with every player making an effort. Georgia finally got us on the board in the third quarter, with a nice pass in from Taryn, but a further 11 goals from Footscray had us waiting for the final whistle to blow. Not a game any of us enjoyed, but I think adversity brought us closer as a team... we've had plenty of exposure to that this comp. Well done to the girls for turning up and having a go each week! One more round of the Summer Splash remains, the Grand Final and playoffs. We will face Monash in the 5 Vs 6 game.

Essendon were defeated by Footscray : 1 - 19 Goals : Georgia 1

BELOW : Our Women's B grade side in action against Footscray (photo courtesy of Torben Fink-Jensen)

Men's C Grade - Report by Hayden Woods

On Thursday night the Essendon mens team faced off against the unfortunately named MC Pups, a team that the boys had given a hosing to last time we met. The late withdrawal of Ryan Mills (claimed illness, but really he's taken a week off in a futile attempt to count his goals for the season) threatened to unbalance the team, however a healthy bench arrived on time and ready to play. Unfortunately the game quickly descended into a scrappy and decidedly low-skill affair, with Essendon failing to present with their usual dominating flair. At three quarter time the opposition's best player was A. Crossbar who had stopped countless shots on goal (Bryan could you please draft a sternly worded letter to VicPolo to demand he goes up a grade). A missed 5m (ok, nothing actually unusual there), and a 2-on-goalie-only attack in which an actual shot wasn't able to be conjured were definite low lights. Spectators were turning away. Children were crying, and only one of them was because of Lee. However, in amongst the mediocrity there were slivers of excellence. Sam Brown leaping with full togs out of the water to knock down a 5m penalty. Ruckus, lauching out from goals and with his red cap blurred by speed, sprinting the full length of the pool with 30secs left in the game, narrowly missing out on scoring, and even more impressively, not requiring medical attention afterwards. Paul using his go-go gadget arms to pluck balls away from unsuspecting opposition players. And Andy "Mills" Cover, finishing off the game with one of the most exquisite lob shots you're ever likely to see, sailing over a sea of arms larger than that at the recent Pearl Jam concert to land in the top back corner to a serenade of disbelieving opposition gasps. In the end it was a solid 7-4 win, however a large step up will be required for next week's Grand Final against a dominant Richmond outfit.

Essendon defeated Melbourne Collegians : 7 - 4 Goals : Vince 2, Lee 2, Paul 1, Ambrose 1, Andrew 1

12&U Mixed - Report by Sheridan Mom

It was wet in the water and out this week for our games at Hawthorn. The focus for coaches and spectators was to stay dry! They even turned the lights on as the dark clouds rolled in.

There were two close battles, lost by 2 goals in the first game and 1 goal the second game in the last 10 seconds!

GAME 1 Vs Richmond Yellow : ? - ? (2 goal loss)

GAME 2 Vs Footscray : ? - ? (1 goal loss)

BELOW : The 12&U Essendon-Geelong team this weekend, with Geelong coach Matt (photos courtesy of Craig Parnell)

14&U Girls - Report by Effie Jakic

With team manager and wrap writer Kate away for this game, she relied on text messages from Effie to keep her abreast of what was happening... here is transpired...(editor)