Women’s Seniors

UHS-W 10.3-63 – Emmaus St Leos 6.4-40

Goal Kickers: M. Zambelli 5, A. Botica 3, M. Stafford, J. Boyce

Written by Kim Crabtree

It was a nervous start to Round 4 of the UHS Women’s season. An early goal from Emmaus St Leo’s had the side rattled in the first quarter, as the team’s usually steadfast zoning efforts faltered under pressure.

A steadying goal from Jo Boyce in the dying minutes of the first provided the reset Uni needed. Going into the second quarter, the focus was on stabilising positions and converting defensive pressure into scoring opportunities. Ruck Maddy Stafford proved her all-rounder capabilities by slotting another for Uni, while newcomer Ash Botica made her mark on the scoreboard with her first UHSW goal.

A point down at half time (3.3-21 to 3.4-22) and a crowd of supporters growing, Uni turned up the heat on a tiring Emmaus, coming out on top at the end of the third with a five-point lead (6.3-39 to 5.4-34). The goal-kicking of star midfielder Marlo Zambelli was aided by the wall of defence of the backline and the penetrating kicks of centre-back Maya Gorman.

Despite a late desperate goal from Emmaus, the momentum was with Uni in the final term and the combined scoring of Zambelli and Botica could not be stopped. Bagging a total of three majors, Botica cemented herself as a forward to watch this season, while the clutch of five from vice captain Zambelli was reward for the work and heart continuously on display from the midfielder throughout the day.

By the final siren Uni had extended their lead by 23 points, 10.3-63 defeating 6.4-40. The hard-fought win puts the team in good stead to face the undefeated Melbourne Cricket Club FC in Mentone this coming Saturday.

Women’s Seniors

UHS-W 1.5-11 – Preston Bullants 4.6-30

Goal Kickers:

Written by Cassy Grapsas

UHSW arrived at our home away from home at JJ Holland Park in Kensington, hungry to get our first win on the board against Elsternwick. Spirits were high, aided by a pre-game change room dance party to ABBA.

The game was off to a good start in the first, thanks to an opening goal from Hannah Greaves. Two more goals coupled with three behinds took our score to 3.3-2 at the quarter time break, with UHSW keeping Elsternwick goalless in the opening quarter.

The second term saw the game kept to our forward half, with the forward line creating many opportunities to have cracks at goal. Zoe Julian Best was keeping busy and wreaking havoc on the Elsternwick defence, kicking two. The backline certainly had a couple of minutes to catch our breaths and enjoy the efforts being put on by the rest of the team. A little bit of inaccuracy up forward saw us end the term with 5.8-38.

Despite confidence riding high at the half time break, the team were determined to start off the second half with a clean slate and keep the pressure on Elsternwick. The Buddy (I mean Bella) show that started in the first half was on full display in the third quarter, with Bella and Amy ‘Parksy’ Parkinson, kicking 3 and 2 goals respectively across the game.

Marlo Zambelli and Abbey Mills were dominant through the middle, with their clean hands allowing us to get repeated entries into the forward 50 to put more scoreboard pressure on Elsternwick.

However full credit to Elsternwick who showed their grit in the last quarter, with a couple of great efforts that allowed them to add 2 points to their score—with our backs working hard to keep them goalless. There’s nothing like a 70-point lead to encourage the coach to move around the magnets, with backline superstar Kim ‘Crabby’ Crabtree being put up forward (and making the switch up look a little too easy), slotting a goal to round out the scores at 10.16-76 to 0.3-3.

UHSW will now take the Easter long weekend to build on their great work at training, have our new players learn the UHS song, and celebrate the win at iPod shuffle night—where we can only assume their dance floor performance will be just as strong as it was on field.

Men’s Seniors

UHS-VU 7.7-49 – Hampton Rovers 28.18-186

Goal Kickers: P. Brookes 2, F. Campbell 2, W. Barnett, B. Jackson, J. McGee

Written by Todd Cracknell

The club this week was honouring the recent loss of a Rocke family member and the ANZAC spirit. Whilst the scoreboard did not in the end reflect the efforts of the team, we felt a sense of pride that we never gave up. There were some valiant efforts from our young players who showed grit and willingness to take the game on. Patrick Wernert, Noah Siederman, Fraser Campbell and Matt Dimattina to name just a few. Unfortunately, Matt “Big Dog” Dimattina copped a tackle that has done damage to his shoulder, fingers crossed for a swift and full recovery.

The midfield group worked together and hard all day, providing much needed supply to our forward line. Two goals apiece to Fraser Campbell and Patrick Brookes reflected the class and energy they both bring to every contest. Whilst Fraser Campbell had a Eddie Betts-esque crack at a goal, it was the running snap goal by Will “Barnesy” Barnett that cemented his cult favourite status in the UHS line up.

The score line could have been much worse if it were not for the persistent and bruising work of Spencer Horton, the overlap running work of James Dimattina, long kicking by Tom Rocke and patience with the ball by Ben Cracknell.

Let’s all help out and cheer on the UHS Women this Saturday. See you there, 9:20am at JJ Holland Park (Men have a bye).

Men’s Reserves

UHS-VU 4.2-26 – Hampton Rovers 23.17-155

Goal Kickers: M. Cafaro, J. Muscat, L. Star, H. Tomas

Women’s Seniors

UHS-W 1.5.11 – De La Salle 2.3.15

Goal Kickers: Abbey Mills

Written by Kyra Greenway

After last year’s season being cut short due to a certain pandemic, we were all so excited to be back, even on a grey and drizzly Melburnian day in Malvern East.

De La Salle was short in numbers so it was 16 a side and the wonderful Matthea stepped up to play for their side.

Our team started strong. Amy P, Bella, Ezra, Lucy, Zoe and Hannah all consistently attacked the ball in a way that is nothing short of inspiring.

An epic goal from our legendary 50+ gamer Abbey made the scores level at half time.

At 3/4 time we were only a goal behind – De La Salle 2.3-15 and UHSVU 1.3-9 – and directing all our efforts towards locking in that missing goal.

A while into the 4th quarter, Bridget unexpectedly came running towards us at the bench. She said “my finger isn’t pointing the right way!” with a…smile? Bridget came off and Tegan sent me on. Suddenly yours truly found herself taking her first ever set shot for goal! I missed but I’m so happy I came so close!

De La Salle finished with a win by 4 points.

It was a delight to play again, and both sides made an impressive effort. Well done to all!

Men’s Seniors

UHS-VU 10.2.72- Preston 11.7.73

Goal Kickers: Patrick Brookes 4, Tom Rocke 2, James McGee 2, Harrison Rocke, Noah Seiderman

Written by Jacob Best

The senior side came into round 1 keen to commit to their new playing style and game plan. After a really positive preseason under new head coach Paul Rocke, the team was keen to compete and build some synergy with a group that had numerous changes to last years. Todd Cracknell completed his first coin toss as UHS stand in captain with resounding success, however the team was unable to capitalise on their first quarter kicking with the wind of Preston’s tennis court size oval.

The second quarter was a slog for UHS going against the wind and still trying to find a spark or chemistry to get things going positively. Half time was used to reset and attack the third quarter. Ezza Ramsay was a house on fire coming out of the middle for the whole quarter as UHS took full control of the game in the third and pinned Preston in their D50. The efforts of Josh Hoevenaars and a Rocke who can finally play somewhere other than full back in Harri were also key to UHS treating Preston like a team that hadn’t won for over a year.

Unfortunately a conversion rate of 4 goals 9 behinds in the third would come back to be UHS’s undoing as Preston used the wind in the 4th to level scores late and eventually go 7 points up with a minute of game left. The dying stages of the game were kept interesting by Pat Brooks (finished with 4 goals and was a class above all day) who took a mark that looked good from every angle, including underneath it, and Tom Rocke who snuck forward to kick his second and put UHS a point behind with seconds left. Preston won the final centre clearance of the day keeping themselves a point ahead at the final siren.

Men’s Reserves

UHS-VU 15.11.101 – Preston 6.7.43

Goal Kickers: Matthew Mallia 3, Ned Couper-Johnston 2, Basile Nock 2, James Gilfillan 2, Spencer Gigacz 2, Leon Trinh, Lachlan Brown, Thomas Woodlock, Lachlan Allen

Written by Spencer Gigacz