By Callum Ludwig
A big win and two agonising losses for Lilydale FC this week as we took on Bayswater away from home in wet and windy conditions.
The U19.5s managed to avoid the poor conditions, for the most part, beating the battling Bayswater side 13.14, 92 to 5.1, 31.
It was a slow start for the Dales, with Bayswater taking it up to them in the first half, scores level at quarter time and only a 1 point lead for the Falcons at halftime.
The Dales got up and about after the break, however, and kept their opponents scoreless for the rest of the game while piling on 60 points.
Lachlan Baxter returned in style from his battle with man-flu, kicking 6 goals to send himself to the top of the goal-kicking charts on 16 for the season.
Zac Carolan’s skills were once again as clean as his boots, putting in a shift all over the ground.
Bailey Bateman kicked another two goals to add to his season tally of 8, and Cobey Clausen nailed a set shot he insists myself and others kick him a footy to practice 30 times before training.
Daniel ‘Paddy’ Ryan was influential in moving the ball forward from half-back and midfield, including with the spin move he must be contractually obliged to perform at least once a game.
The U19.5s are nestled comfortably in 1st on the ladder on percentage as one of five teams who are on 4 wins and 1 loss for the season.
In a low-scoring affair, the Reserves were narrowly beaten by Bayswater, 4.6, 30 to 3.5, 23 as the rain started to set in.
The game marked Sean ‘Ranga’ Hadju’s 100th game, and he didn’t let the occasion slip idly by, featuring among the best players on the day.
The Reserves’ led at quarter-time before Bayswater maintained a narrow lead that they held on to for the rest of the day.
Reserves leading goalkicker Harry ‘TikToks’ Mitchell snagged two customary goals on a day that favoured small forwards more than anyone, and Trent Davison kicked Lilydale’s other as the best on ground for the Falcons.
Cam ‘Fridge’ Oude-Meilink, Lachlan Cox, Jesse Ebert and Jack Nichols, on return from a long-term ankle injury, were the others to feature in the best for the 2’s.
The Reserves find themselves 8th on the ladder.
Scoring was also made difficult in the wet for the Seniors, who went down to Bayswater in a nailbiter. With less than a minute on the clock, the Dales were up by 2 before Bayswater kicked a goal to run out victors.
It was Bayswater’s accuracy in front of goal that won them the game, in the end, the final score 11.5, 71 to 9.14, 68.
In what was an utter shock to absolute no one from the Lilydale Football Club, Ryan ‘Dobby’ McNay relished the wet conditions to sneak into Lilydale’s best players.
At his insistence, it was once again another day of setting the tone from Matthew Phillips, who was dominant in giving Lilydale’s mids first service with his ruckwork.
Mitchell ‘DeFran’ De Franceschi was the best on ground for Lilydale, joined by Douglas ‘Marleys’ Wooton, Riley ‘Santa’ Clausen and Marc Massarotti.
The netballer’s favourite Jordan ‘Jaws’ Jaworski kicked 3 goals taking his tally to 13 for the season, one behind Macauley Beckwith whose rare duck saw him temporarily forfeit his spot as the league’s leading goalkicker.
The Seniors sit 9th on the ladder.
Lilydale takes on East Ringwood at home next week.
