VAFA: Winners’ beer! Smokie brings the latest from Williamstown CYMS AFC

                        

 

WILLIAMSTOWN CYMS AFC                                                  vs.                                            FITZROY

 

CLUB GAMES ON SATURDAY 19 MAY

SENIORS VS. FITZROY (A), 2PM @ BRUNSWICK ST OVAL

RESERVES VS. FITZROY (A), 11:40AM @ BRUNSWICK ST OVAL

S2 THIRDS VS. AJAX (H), 11:40AM @ CROFTS RESERVE

S2 U19S VS. UNI BLACKS (H), 2PM @ FEARON RESERVE

S5 U19 COLTS VS. MAZENOD (H), 11:40AM @ FEARON RESERVE

D2 SEAGALS VS. OLD MELBURNIANS (A), 11:40AM @ ELSTERNWICK PARK OVAL 1

 

Winners’ Beer

By Darren “Smokie” Dawson

 

The two towns are not that different, you know. Inner-suburban enclaves built on the blood and sweat of railway and factory workers. Workers’ cottages and backstreets with hidden laneways. Parks and gardens. We have the beach. They have their tramlines and proximity to the city.

 

And of course, those temples of the working class: the pubs. Fitzroy has done a much better job of preserving theirs than has Williamstown. My first ever pub crawl of Willy was a pre-Christmas Saturday afternoon of such epic proportions that after visiting the town’s 15 watering holes I spectacularly tumbled from my bicycle and left skin, flesh and bloodstains across the breadth of Melbourne Rd. A generation later, six of those hotels are no more.

 

But Fitzroy has lost a couple of pubs over the years. My dad drove taxis, and he reckons that the Champion Hotel was just about the roughest he ever visited; the front bar had sawdust on the floor so that the bloodstains and vomit were easily cleaned away. Naturally, I was not averse to journeying across to Fitzroy and enjoying an ale or two at places such as the late Loaded Dog, one of Melbourne’s first pub breweries. Indeed I retain fond memories of being served beer from a pluto gun in the Tramway Hotel. What Fitzroy has also done well is keep alive its football team. The Reds were the poor relations of the Melbourne Uni Blacks and Blues, and eventually morphed into the Fitzroy Reds, who merged with Fitzroy FC.

 

Some will also recall a couple of rough and ready footy teams: Fitzroy Rovers and Fitzroy Stars. And with all due respect to our opponents this Saturday, it is fair to say that playing the Rovers at Brunswick St was a more frightening prospect back in the day.

 

By my reckoning, over the years I have had a beer in twenty-four different pubs in Fitzroy. I am not looking to re-visit all of them come this Saturday, more so to watch my football team beat their football team. There will be no La Marseillaise sung on the grass of the picturesque Brunswick Street Oval this Saturday. In the afterglow perhaps I will indulge, and with the Willy crowd – in Fitzroy – we will seek to drink winners’ beer. For that is an ale which tastes fine no matter where it is consumed.

 

Guru 360

 

Last time we met

26 July 2003 @ Fitzroy: Williamstown CYMS def by Fitzroy Reds by about 4 goals in The Latte Cup.

 

A D2 clash, we took it right up to Fitzroy throughout, but ultimately class prevailed as Fitzroy went on to win the flag, or at the very least promotion. (It was a long time ago.) I do remember them playing their best midfielder on Dave Lee at full back and putting another one or two in the hole in an effort to curb his brilliance, to some effect. And The Latte Cup was a legitimate thing, due to some politicking at the time.

 

At selection

Two changes this week as we lost Murph to a Tuesday night hamstring and young debutant Sutter released back to the U19s. His was an unlucky omission, given the winning margin and his assured performance, but with skipper Adamson and Noonan available, someone was going to miss out.

 

What am I most looking forward to?

The 1 v 2 clash. Outside of the last quarter fadeout against Old Ivanhoe, we’ve won every game easily. A match of the round game against an undefeated (and in effect) B-grade side on their deck is a true test and I. Cannot. Wait.

 

It’s a sure thing

As good as Sam Callard can be in the ruck, we are a better side with him in defence. His athleticism and commitment to spoil makes it hard for his opponents to get their hands on the footy and, without a genuine matchup this week, it’s a sure thing the other defenders will be looking for him to be third man up and impact their contests all day.

 

Most at stake

This is a bona fide match of the round. Let’s hope it’s umpired accordingly.

 

The tip

Last week, six goals to one in the fourth quarter helped Fitzroy maintain their unbeaten run in Premier C, defeating Marcellin by 42 points at Brunswick St Oval. The Roys led by eight points at the last break but, led by outstanding performances from Nathan Jumeau and Aidan Lambert, ran over the Eagles to go 6-0. Lambert and Nino Lazzaro top-scored with three goals each for the Roys.

 

No. 6 Lambert is the one off half back, a hard runner who pushes forward and has hit the scoreboard ten times this year. Whoever has him as an opponent will need to be mindful, and help.

 

Whilst I think Fitzroy are the team to beat this season, our results to date have been stronger against the same opposition and the reason why we sit 50% clear of them on the ladder. The way the boys have taken ownership of their journey this year has been something to watch and it sure makes them easy to coach. This is the challenge they’ve been eying off and building towards all year. The selected team has high standards and a high work ethic, a fantastic team defence, an inside and outside game, and the ability to score. And we’ll need every bit of it to beat the other standout team of the year on Saturday. Why would you be anywhere else?

 

Harmsy asked me during the week what the odds would be and I said it was a genuine flip of the coin job. Jones will give us first use and didn’t we love that last Saturday? And the midfield of Jobbo, Wheels and Yuma, with back up from Ackerly and Brad Tucker, will ensure our forwards get enough looks. I just have this feeling that Ebinger might be the one that kicks us clear late, as he is in a rich vein of form and so hard to match up on. And the width of Brunswick St Oval will see him get a lot more one on ones where he is nigh on unbeatable in the air. The CYs by 7 points in a cracker, in a match that will only whet the appetite for later in the year.

 

Senior team

Senior team

Other teams

RESERVES VS. FITZROY: THINK Our Reserves are up against it here, taking on the undefeated top side on their deck.

S2 THIRDS VS. AJAX: A case of how far for our Thirds against the 1-5 Jakkers on the familiar surrounds of Crofts Reserve.

S2 U19S VS. UNI BLACKS: This should be easy viewing for those that don’t want to travel north, as we pummel the 1-5 Blacks.

S5 U19 COLTS VS. MAZENOD: Ditto, with our Colts far too good at home for the 1-4 Nodders.

D3 SEAGALS VS. OLD MELBURNIANS: 1 v 2 on the ladder and whilst our gals are yet to taste defeat, this is by far their toughest game to date.

 

Top 4 to clash in exciting round of Premier C

Posted on Thu 17 May – Latest News, Premier C

By Meg Saultry

 

PEGS forward Adrian Romanyk has been in fine form this season and in Round 6 he was at his most damaging, breaking into the double digits and booting ten majors to take his season tally to 36. Romanyk’s haul helped lead PEGS to its third win in a row, defeating Old Camberwell by 31 points at Gordon Barnard Reserve on Saturday.

 

Camberwell were able to get the jump on the Bombers early, leading the first term by a goal, before PEGS found a slight edge to steal the front heading into both the third and fourth terms. Their eight-goal final quarter effort allowed the Bombers to comfortably close out the match. Romanyk was the obvious target up forward, ultimately the only multiple goal scorer for the team, but he was amply supported by several teammates including Max Philpot, who strung together another dependable performance for the season. James Allen was the Wellers best with four goals, following up his three goals from last week.

 

PEGS are the team to watch at the moment after winning three on the trot to be comfortably sitting in third position, but they will face a tough opponent in Round 7 as they face fourth placed Old Geelong. Old Camberwell has slipped from seventh to eighth and will want to get the win against Peninsula next week.

 

Fitzroy FC continues its unbeaten run six rounds into the season, overpowering Marcellin OC by 42 points at Brunswick St Oval. It was their six goal final quarter that thrust the Roys into the winning position, with the Eagles staying close up until three quarter time. Marcellin produced good pressure early to counter the Roy’s usual slick ball movement, and were overall much more accurate in front of goal then their opponents, though to no avail. Fitzroy’s Aidan Lambert (3) and Jack Dalton (2) backed up their four goal performance last week with another imposing game down forward, while Nino Lazzaro was back amongst the goal scorers with three majors. Marcellin’s Mitchell Jones continued his early season form, playing his best game after being elevated into the seniors last week. Daniel McMahon top scored for the Eagles with three goals, while Andrew Kay presented well and finished with two.

 

Fitzroy remains firmly in second position, unable to dislodge Williamstown from the top, but they will have their chance in what should be the match of Round 7 as the two remaining undefeated teams of Premier C finally face off. Marcellin OC sits two games out of the top four in fifth and will desperately need a win over Old Mentonians next week after losing its past three games.

 

Old Ivanhoe held on for a 34-point victory over fast finishing Old Mentonians to win its second game of the season in front of supporters at Chelsworth Park. The Hoers dominated for three quarters as Adrian Del Monte replicated his four-goal effort of last week, kicking two in the first quarter and nailing another two just before three quarter time to take the Hoers lead up to 56 points. The Panthers fought back in the final term, kicking five goals as they worked to claw back the lead, but Ivanhoe’s Dylan Buffifant kicked his second goal of the day late in the quarter to make the lead well and truly out of the Panthers reach. Ivanhoe’s Sam Geilings was named best afield, while teammate Lachlan Boyd (4) increased his season goal tally to 18 and Daniel Maitland played his finest game of the season so far.

 

Old Ivanhoe’s win snaps a four game losing streak and moves them up two places into seventh, as the Panthers sits just above in sixth with a greater percentage. The Hoers will want to make it two from two when they face bottom placed St Mary’s next round, while the Panthers will hope to take advantage of Marcellin OC’s three game losing streak to notch their third win this season.

 

Old Geelong has produced some up and down performances over the last month, but responded to a disappointing loss last week to blow Peninsula out of the water by 70 points at Como Park. The Pirates got the early break, kicking straight to lead by four points at quarter time, but struggled to stay competitive as Geelong kicked 14 goals to four for the remainder of the game. Old Geelong’s Callum Wood put in the ultimate captain’s performance, dangerous up forward with his six goals, while fellow big man Josh Hoevenaars kicked three. Peninula’s skipper Sam Glenn and teammate Shaun Payze were among the Pirates best with two goals each.

 

Old Geelong’s victory cements the team into fourth position, two wins ahead of its next rival, while a fifth loss this season drops Peninsula into ninth place. In an exciting matchup, it’s third versus fourth as Old Geelong travels out to Geelong Grammar to host PEGS Football Club in Round 7, while Peninsula will try to win at home for the first time this season against Old Camberwell.

 

Williamstown CYMS unwaveringly handed St Mary’s Salesian its fifth loss of the season, smashing the visitors by 143 points at Fearon Reserve. With over 20 forced changes across both the seniors and reserve sides, St Mary’s was always going to face an uphill challenge against the competition leaders, while Williamstown was without Jack Gray who was serving the first of a two-week suspension. St Mary’s Jack Elliston kicked a goal late in the first quarter to remain within two straight kicks heading into the second term, but Williamstown put the foot down thereafter as they scored over 100 points before the Saints could manage another minor score. Charlie Angley kicked St Mary’s second and final goal mid-way through the final quarter. Williamstown again had an even spread of contributions down forward with 13 individual goal kickers, spearheaded by Nicholas Ebinger who was superb with five goals. Robert Chan played another stellar game, also chipping in two goals, while Saints skipper Heath Chipperfield fought admirably as he lead his team.

 

The percentage boosting win solidifies Williamstown’s place at the top of the ladder, while St Mary’s remains at the bottom of the table in tenth. Williamstown faces its biggest challenge of the season next weekend, playing fellow undefeated side Fitzroy FC, as St Mary’s hosts Old Ivanhoe.

 

THE AFTER-MATCH

After the game this Saturday a number of us are going to stay on for the after-match and then head out to dinner with John Harms’ Fitzroy crew. Dinner will be at the Percy Jones’ North Fitzroy Arms @ 296 Rae St, where we’ve booked the private dining room. It will be very convivial.

This will be like winding back the clock for those that remember the great inner city pub crawls we used to embark on in the ‘90’s after playing Uni Blacks and Fitzroy. (Anyone got a siren?) For the newcomers (of sorts), it’s another not-to-be missed event and a great way to build some camaraderie and rivalry with Fitzroy in what looks a two horse race for the flag. In terms of getting to the ground, Uber seems the logical choice! Please take the time to RSVP to me so we can ensure the pub can accommodate us.

 

THE GOLD AND THE BLUE COTERIE

Memberships, in brief:

• Standard $300 ($200 for regionals)
• Silver $600 (free entry to the 3 luncheons and a family ticket in the $5,000 Reverse Raffle)
• Gold $900 (as above, plus company signage)
• Partner $1,500

 

You can pay your membership by EFT, cash or cheque, or via the new website. If going the preferred route of EFT, be sure to include something identifiably you (or your company) in the transfer:

Account name: WCYMS Sports Club / Football Club

Bank: Bendigo Bank

BSB: 633000

Account number: 149932055

Under Description, enter the name of your package (e.g. Silver)

Under Remitter, enter your name (or company name)

 

Go CYs,

 

Dene Macleod

Mobile: 0408 534 038

[email protected]