By Callum 'Articles' Ludwig
Lilydale hosted their final home game of the season in Round 17, with Wantirna South making the trip to The Nest.
The U19.5s, back in their usual 10.40am timeslot, were out to make amends for last week’s disappointing loss to Montrose against the second-placed Wantirna South side who also dealt them a heavy defeat earlier in the season. Make amends they sure did, shocking the Devils with a 2-goal win, 9.11, 65 to 7.11, 53.
Lilydale was competitive in the first quarter, but Wantirna South did get out to an 11-point lead at the first change. In the second quarter, the Dales fought back to take the lead by 9 points at the main break. The Falcons knew it was still going to take an almighty effort to get over the line against quality opposition in the second half, but were notably switched on and hyped up.
Wantirna South was largely the dominant side in the third quarter, but Lilydale’s staunch defensive efforts kept the quarter to two goals apiece. This resilient attitude was none more summed up than by an inspirational diving smother on the goal line from Luke ‘Turkey’ Bates to prevent an almost-certain goal. Luckily for Lilydale, Turkey’s attempt to kick out from the resulting point was turned down by the usual kicker and birthday boy Astin Bucci, denying Turkey the opportunity to continue his trademark of following up a great effort with a shocking disposal. A mature decision from Bucci, who was devastated to hear he is now halfway to 40.
In the final quarter, Lilydale held strong to secure the win, with even an opportunity for birthday Bucci to absolutely spray the final kick of the game with a shot that was lucky to register a score at all.
Cooper ‘Backpacks’ Beckwith made older brother Macauley ‘Bags’ Beckwith proud of his ‘Bubsee’ with a best-on-ground performance and was joined by Zac ‘Chicken Schnitty’ Carolan, Bailey ‘Bounces’ Bateman, Zac ‘Scags’ Scagnetti, the bruised and batter Austin ‘Oz’ White and serial pest Adrian Clark who frustrated his Wantirna South opponent with a tight tag.
Backpacks was the only multiple goalkicker with 2, while Schnitty, Cobey ‘Set Shots’ Clausen, Scags, Fletcher ‘Double Cobra’ March, Bounces, Bailey ‘Tall Skinny Guy’ Grant and Sean ‘Mob Boss’ Calcaterra all kicking one.
The Dales important win doesn’t move them up from fifth on the ladder.
The Reserves were up next and unfortunately could not emulate the result of the U19.5s, going down 4.7, 31 to 8.10, 58. The two sides played out a thrilling stalemate last time out and were both keen not to split the four premiership points this time out.
Sean ‘Ranga’ Hadju started out the game at full-back due to a lack of key defensive stocks available in a decision that didn’t last too long. Back to the forward line, probably with about as much of a mess in his shorts as he had after an ‘accident’ at work this week.
Mitchell ‘Peanut’ Blake continued his fine run of form closing out the season to take best on ground honours, followed by Josh White, Matthew ‘Dip’ Di Pietrantonio, young Blake ‘Nugget’ Milsom, Luke Hogg and Backpacks who went around for a second game.
Goalkickers were Dip, Whitey, Backpacks and Josh Newman whose goal from the pocket provided an ample opportunity for a subsequent celebration and cheeky pic for the paper.
The Reserves stay ninth on the ladder.
The Seniors were keen to get one over the Devils again and make it two from two wins against them this season. They did exactly that, withstanding a frightening last-quarter push to hold on for a 13.15, 93 to 13.6, 84 win.
Despite the big losses of Ryan ‘Dobby’ McNay and Nick ‘Noodles’ Del Biondo to injury and a goalless first quarter, the Dales bounced back in the second quarter to barge into the lead by 4 points at halftime. This period of control over the game continued into the third quarter, as the Falcons headed into the final change in what onlookers would’ve considered a comfortable 26-point lead.
Wantirna South was not going to give up easily though, kicking four rapid-fire goals early in the quarter which had Lilydale supporters nervous and Wantirna South fans double-checking whether their car horns were in working order. They very much were.
Lilydale did not give in, and the rest of the quarter contained three goals for both sides and got the Dales over the line.
Jayden ‘Jibba’ Depace was the best player for the boys in blue and gold, joined by the ever-courageous Riley ‘Santa’ Clausen, Liam ‘Jeffa’ Jeffs, returning ruckman Mathew ‘Sweet Chilli Philly’ Phillips, newfound defender Isaac ‘Thumb Thumb’ Biasuzzo and Brandon ‘Dros’ Droessler.
Beau ‘Beauner’ Mitchener was both figuratively and literally huge, taking towering marks at full-forward to finish with a five-goal haul, joined by Bags with 3, Jibba with 2 and Marc Massarotti, Harry ‘Tiktoks’ Mitchell and Jeffa with one.
The Seniors are still in ninth, but only on percentage, with a good opportunity to finish the season next week as high as seventh.
Next week Lilydale face the arduous trip away to Beaconsfield to conclude the home-and-away season. Congratulations to those who won prizes in the Future Fund raffle and thanks to Ben O’Donnell for his tireless work organising it.
