It was only the 25^th of July and we were running out against Yarra Junction for our last home game of 2010. Where has the season gone?

The team was looking to put together a solid performance to consolidate on some of the good signs that had been emerging over the last few weeks. CJ, Stu and Tank were back after some time off and several other players were given the opportunity to play in different positions on the ground to continue their development.

After a somewhat confused start while the opposition sorted out player numbers and positions, the Bloods soon had the ball moving forward and it wasn't long before Dyl had registered the first major of the game. To their credit, an obviously undermanned Yarra Junction showed some real determination early on and quickly answered back with a goal of their own. Their jubilation was obvious and it looked like we were going to have to battle hard to snuff this out before it caused it too much grief. Lachie soon struck back with our second and then Bocce joined in kicking 3 in a four minute purple patch to establish our grip on the game. By quarter time, the Bloods were out to a 4 goal lead and the signs were positive for the home team.

The second quarter saw Olinda play possibly their best 15 minutes of the season to date winning the ball out of the centre and using it well to bring their teammates into the game and set up numerous scoring opportunities. Jimmy picked up two goals, Hughie snagged another and then in one of the highlights of the season, Clarko got into the act to kick his first goal for the club in nearly 6 years. Proud mum Kerry was all smiles on the bench and the team went to half time with high spirits to match their 10 goal lead.

The third quarter was a bit slower but we still managed to put a few goals on including a nice major to Matty after some great roving by Josh. Yarra Junction continued to fight bravely and scored their second for the game, giving them some heart in another difficult match.

The Bloods dominated play in the last quarter and but for some poor finishing up forward, would have pushed the score well past the 20 goal mark. As it was, by the final siren Olinda had kicked 19 goals with 11 players finishing with their names in the Goals column. A real team effort and a great reward for lots of hard work in recent weeks.

Congratulations to the Yarra Junction club and their players for continuing to put a team out on the park despite being up against it each week. The game was played in fine spirit and the efforts of Yarra Junction to keep going and give 20 youngsters the chance to run out and enjoy a game of footy every week are to be applauded.

Awards :
Coaches : CJ
Encouragement : Bakes
McDonalds Boronia : Josh
McDonalds FTG : Nate, Lachie
Fish 'N' Chip : Tank
Olinda Pizza : Rhys
Kelly's Beast on Ground : Clarko
Canteen : Finny, Dyl

After a couple of weeks off for school holidays, it was great to arrive at Emerald to be greeted by clear skies and a ground in good condition. Quite a change from our last 2 games up on the hill!

Unfortunately, many of the players struggled to throw off the relaxed holiday mood and we were slow to get going when the game commenced. Our opponents were suffering from no such malaise and they burst out of the blocks racing the ball forwards and putting two quick goals on the board to have us on the back foot early. The Bloods were playing from behind and looking slow and the quarter time score was a fair reflection of the effort to that point of time.

In the second quarter, our players started to shake off the lethargy and we slowly worked our way into the game. Some of our mobile players began to win the ball in defence and through the midfield and we started to put some pressure on up forward. Emerald held firm initially however the boys persisted and we finally troubled the scorers when Regs finished off after a nice mark by Matty. Fin, Fraser and Josh worked hard around the ground and after Lachie converted truly for another just before the siren, we went to the half time break with a much more positive feeling amongst the team.

After the long break, this effort increased again and Olinda started to put the opposition defence under some real pressure for the first time in the match. Emerald quickly responded and both forward lines were soon on top resulting in some fast open football and several good goals to both sides. This was the best quarter that the Bloods had put together for a few matches and it was encouraging to see some of the younger players gathering confidence and attacking the ball around the ground.

The effort continued in the final quarter however both backlines tightened up after the break and goals became harder to obtain. Nate, Clarko, Dyl and Rhys continued to go in hard and the whole team pushed their opponents all the way to the final siren.

All in all, a far more positive game today and one that we can look to build on as we head into the final few rounds of the season.

Awards :
Coaches : Jake
Encouragement : Fraser
McDonalds Boronia : Lachie
McDonalds FTG : Gibby
Fish 'N' Chip : Fin
Olinda Pizza : Clarko
Kelly's Beast on Ground : Reg

Another wet day at home for our clash against South Belgrave. The team was looking for a good game following an improved showing in similar conditions at home last week.

Richo tossed the coin as captain on his birthday and the game was quickly on. South started the better of the two teams and soon had our defenders working overtime to keep the ball out. After a few minutes the Bloods found their feet and started to get in to win the contested ball. It was great to see some solid shepherds and bumps as the boys tried to protect their teammates going in for the footy. We pressed the ball forward on numerous occasions but just couldn't finish off the good work where it counted and after South pinched a goal just before the siren, they went to the quarter time break with a slender lead.

The second quarter followed a similar script with Olinda working hard to move the ball into attack but the Saints clearing just as often and ultimately putting another one on the board before half time. It was noticeable during this quarter that some of our little guys were really starting to read the game well and were picking up valuable possessions all over the ground.

The third quarter was a real battle with Olinda starting the quarter well but South doing better in the latter stages. Both backlines were doing well with forwards struggling to win an effective disposal in the slippery conditions. Neither side registered a goal in this quarter and the game was up for grabs as we went to the three quarter time huddle.

The final stanza began OK for the Bloods however when the visitors put another goal on the board a few minutes in to the quarter, the wind really went out of our sails and it was all one way traffic from that point. South finished up full of running while our boys stopped to a walk and it was a disappointing end to what had been for 3 quarters an evenly fought battle.

Many of our players tried hard as individuals however we need to learn that we must continue to work together as a team for the full 4 quarters and never ease up regardless of the state of the game. Let's make sure that we take this lesson and apply it for the remaining matches of the season.

Awards:
Coaches: Dyl
Encouragement: Nate
McDonalds Boronia: Ryhs
McDonalds FTG: Jakey Boi
Fish \lquote N' Chip: Bohdy
Olinda Pizza: Kaelan
Kelly's Beast on Ground: Bakes
Canteen: Richo (Happy birthday Sam) and Josh

Don't you just love footy in the hills?. The big game loomed against the top of the ladder Upwey tigers and the mountain turned on one of its very best moods to welcome our nearby visitors.

With several boys already unavailable and a couple more late withdrawals due to illness (definitely NOT heat related!), we were up against it from the outset. To the boys' credit, however, they approached this game switched on and ready to do their best for their team.

In very trying conditions, the game got underway and it quickly became evident that this was going to be a battle of trench warfare. Right from the first bounce Olinda were attacking the ball with purpose and pressuring the opposition. Our tackling was good early and the umpires were rewarding the player who made the ball his objective. From our tallest to our shortest players, the Bloods were throwing themselves in at ground level at every opportunity and taking the game up to the ladder leaders. At quarter time, we were two goals down but well in the game.

The second quarter commenced in the same fashion and there were no easy kicks to be found for either side. Upwey kept attacking however our defence was holding strong. Unfortunately though, a short lapse in concentration towards the end of the quarter was enough to give the opposition an opening and they did not need a second invitation to take advantage of it. By half time, we were well behind on the scoreboard however the team went to the long break still in good spirits and determined to get something out of the game.

After half time, the Bloods lifted again and it was especially pleasing to see several of our younger and smaller brigade take advantage of the conditions and work their way into the game. The boys never gave up and they fought every minute out against their highly rated opponents. When the final siren sounded, although we were well in arrears on the scoreboard, the players knew that they had given their all and were able to walk off with their heads held high (albeit somewhat wet and muddy!)

For many of our players, this was their first experience of football on a real winter's day and they acquitted themselves well in the circumstances. Perhaps now we may have some understanding of why opposition teams don't look forward to their trips up the mountain to take on the mighty Bloods!

Keep it up fellas. With the determination you showed today, your next win won't be far away.

Awards:
Coaches: Richo
Encouragement: Tank
McDonalds Boronia: Neddy
McDonalds FTG: Beau
Fish 'N' Chip: Tyza
Olinda Pizza: Jesse
Kelly's Beast on Ground: Bretta
Canteen: Dalton and CJ - Boundary umpires extraordinaire

The boys headed for Healesville under leaden skies for the annual \lquote Battle of the Bloods'. Winter had arrived and it was a day for wet weather football at Queen's Park.

Healesville attacked from the first bounce and soon put a couple on the board however our backline tightened up and started to find its feet, winning the ball under pressure and launching some counter attacks into our forward line. The little guys were seeing plenty of the ball at ground level and working hard to set up scores. It was only some smart defence from Healesville coupled with a few of our boys playing behind their opponents that stopped us getting some reward for this effort.

The 2nd quarter saw a disappointing loss of focus and endeavour from too many of our team and Healesville really took advantage as our voice and enthusiasm dropped off. Half time couldn't come quickly enough for the team to regroup and set about righting the ship in the 2nd half.

After the long break, the Mountain Bloods found a renewed sense of purpose and the whole team lifted to take the contest to our opposition. The whole backline really switched on and worked together as a team to restrict the Healesville scoring. This effort continued into the last quarter with our tackle count improving and all the boys finding a bit extra to give as we fought the game out bravely to the final siren. Although the scoreline wasn't pretty, the team can be proud of the way they responded under pressure and gave a good account of themselves to finish on a positive note.

Keep it up fellas.

Awards:
Coaches:        James
Encouragement:        Bocce
McDonalds Boronia: Dyl
McDonalds FTG:        Lachie
Fish \lquote N' Chip:        Fraser
Olinda Pizza:        Johnno
Kelly's Beast on Ground:        Clarko

After two weeks \lquote on the road' it was great to be back at home for the big game against Wandin. The Bloods were looking for a win to help Matt Gibby celebrate his 50th game for the club in style.

With a howling wind blowing across the ground, the game got underway and it was the visitors who jumped out of the blocks first, pressing the ball forward and getting numbers to the contests around the ground. By the time the Bloods responded, Wandin had their first on the board and it was game on. Our on-ballers started to work harder and the defenders stepped up to the challenge and it wasn't long before we hit back with our first major. Bocce converted truly from a nice mark before the siren and the Bloods ended up taking the honours narrowly at quarter time.

Olinda's running players started to come into the game in the second quarter with some great tackles and smothers around the ground and our little blokes working hard at ground level. Dawsy was having a blinder and he had plenty of mates in the backline making life tough for their opponents. At the long break, the Bloods had extended their lead slightly but it was still anybody's game in a low scoring affair.

The third term was our best for some weeks with the backline right on top and the ball spending most of the time in our front half of the ground. Matt kicked a fantastic goal from the boundary to give him something to remember on his milestone day and after Jimmy slotted another from close in, the Bloods went to three quarter time with a handy break.

Wandin refused to give up however and they gave it everything they had at the start of the last quarter. A goal in the first couple of minutes gave the visitors some heart and the Olinda boys had to dig deep to halt the advancing charge. Some great defence from Bretta and his mates down in the backline soon had the situation back under control and with Ned and others pitching in with telling smothers and shepherds, the home team ended up crossing the line with a well-deserved three goal victory.

Good job boys and well done for your efforts all day today.

Awards:
Coaches: Kaelan
Encouragement: Finny
McDonalds Boronia: Reg
McDonalds FTG: Bohdy
Olinda Pizza: Stu
Kelly's Beast on Ground: Josh
Canteen: Matt

Conditions were perfect for football as we headed out to Woori for our third game away in 4 weeks. After a good week on the training track, we were all keen to get out on the ground and show our supporters what we could do.


The boys were switched on from the start this week and the contest was fierce right from the first bounce. The home side pressed the ball forward quickly however our backline was up to the challenge and they worked together well to resist the pressure. Our early attack on the ball was good and players were keeping their opponents off balance with some strong tackles however an unfortunate free kick allowed Woori to kick the first goal of the day. The Bloods kept pressing and there were several scoring opportunities generated however we just couldn't seem to find a way to finish off the good work and when Woori kicked another two just before the siren, it was 3 goals to nil in favour of the home team at quarter time.


The next two quarters produced a disappointing effort as the Olinda boys dropped off the intensity just enough to let Woori Yallock steal the initiative and their momentum became hard to stop. The frees started to mount against us as our players let their opponents take front position and the backline was unable to contain the damage with a steady stream of goals building up for the home side.


The final quarter saw the Bloods regain their appetite for the contest and the result was a far more competitive effort for the last 15 minutes. The backline and on ball players were constantly pushing the ball forward and giving the forwards plenty of opportunities however Woori were equal to the challenge and did not let us in for an instant. At the final siren it was the Tigers by 12 goals but the Bloods were able to leave the ground with their heads held high after fighting it out gamely for the whole of the last quarter.


Let's show that we can continue on in the same fashion next week when we take on the Wandin boys on our own home turf!

Awards:

Coaches : Matt
Encouragement : Beau
McDonalds Boronia : Bakes
McDonalds FTG : Tyza
Olinda Pizza : Neddy

The under 14's travelled to Wesburn with high spirits, looking for our third win of the season.

After another slow start, the boys worked their way into the game and started to put some pressure on our opponents. Olinda were playing in front early and the umpires were rewarding our discipline. At the first break, the Bloods were up by 7 points and the signs were good.

Unfortunately all the good work of the first quarter was quickly undone as the team went to sleep for the next two quarters and allowed Wesburn to dictate terms all over the ground. The level of desperation required was just not there and far too often we allowed our opponents uncontested first use of the ball. The Wesburn team were showing us how to run the ball and they kept up the pressure throughout the 2nd and 3rd periods. When we gathered at three quarter time, we knew that there was still time to save the game but the team were going to have to dig deep to turn things around from there.

To the boys' credit, we did manage to find an extra gear and we fought the game out to the end, winning the last quarter. It was great to see the team show some real Bloods spirit and get something positive out of the match after a tough match in hot conditions. Let's make that the standard we aim for every quarter from now on boys.

Awards :
Coaches: Rhys
Encouragement:Hicksy
McDonalds Boronia: Jimmy
McDonalds FTG: Frase
Olinda Pizza: Bretta

Round 4 and the boys were looking forward to our 2nd home game for the year. Once again, the game loomed as a big one for the Bloods with Seville just above us by percentage on the ladder.

Seville attacked hard early kicking with the aid of a slight breeze. The Bloods were slow to get going and it was only poor kicking by the visitors that prevented them from getting a big jump on us early. With the quarter nearly half-way gone, Olinda finally got the engine started and began to string together some good team football. The results flowed quickly and it was great to see Tank open our account from a mark in the square and follow up with another major shortly after to really get the scoreboard moving. At the first break it was Seville by less than a kick.

The expectations were high for the next quarter however unfortunately that's about as far as things went for the Bloods. The Seville onballers were given too much latitude and their forwards took full advantage kicking 5 goals to 1 for the period. If not for some great work by a few of our backmen, things would have been fairly grim. Nate, Dyl, Jesse and Josh were leading by example, boring in and fighting hard for the ball at every opportunity.

Things improved slowly in the second half with more of the team finding something in the tank and starting to get into the play. After chasing their opponents for most of the day, it was great to see the Bloods stick to their guns and win the last quarter. The boys kept running and working hard all over the ground and the good work was capped by some really strong individual efforts up forward. Who knows what the final score might have been if we had managed to play that way for the whole four quarters......? Let's find out next week when we journey out to Wesburn.


Awards :
Coaches: Lachie
Encouragement: Josh
McDonalds Boronia: Kaelan
McDonalds FTG: Dyl
Olinda Pizza: Johnno
Canteen: Hugh and Nate

Hi all - u/14 report follows:-

Round 3 saw us journey down the road to Monbulk to take on our nearest neighbours. This was a crucial game for the Bloods with both teams desperate to get the four points to keep in touch with the top half of the ladder at this early stage of the season.

Monbulk jumped out of the blocks from the first bounce and applied all the pressure early. Our backline was constantly under pressure and it is to their credit that they held firm in this initial period of the game to limit the early damage. As the quarter progressed, a few of the Olinda boys started to get into the game and we finally broke through when Bocce finished a good passage of play with a mark and a goal to get the Bloods on the board. Monbulk answered back quickly, however, and then followed up with another before the siren. At the first break it was the home team by 5 points.

The second quarter saw Olinda start to get their play going with some good team football moving the ball quickly into the forward line. Players started to link together more effectively and it wasn't long before our second and third goals were on the board. This was a far better quarter of football and it was great to see some of the younger boys in the team really gaining in confidence as they picked up the pace of the U/14 game. Olinda were running harder and getting numbers to the contests and this was backed up by many strong tackles. At the long break, it was Monbulk still clinging to the lead, but the 1 point margin reflected the even nature of the contest to that stage.

The home team surged again in the third quarter and once again our defenders had their work cut out for them. Neddy was terrific down back and he had plenty of mates who were giving desperate second and third efforts to keep us in the game. An early goal kept us in touch with the opposition and remarkably, another one just before the siren saw us go to the final break only two points in arrears. It was anyone's game at this point and it was all going to come down to the final quarter.

The last quarter was a great battle with play transferring quickly from end to end and the lead changing several times. The midfield boys were giving the forwards every opportunity and when Johnno kicked a beauty to put our noses in front, the excitement level was high. Monbulk refused to give up however and when they goaled to regain the lead with only a couple of minutes to go, things looked grim. With time running out, the Bloods pressed again and this time it was Regs who snapped truly to put us back in front. The clock seemed to stop ticking at this point but the Bloods held firm and at the siren, it was Olinda by 4 points in a great team effort. Well done boys.

Awards :
Coaches : Clarko
Encouragement : Bohds
McDonalds Boronia : Jakey
McDonalds FTG : Regs
Olinda Pizza : Finn