In what could only be described as atrocious conditions at Darling Park, the Crocs were able to all but consolidate a top 2 finish with a decisive 38 point victory over De La Salle.

With massive winds coming across the ground with a favouring towards the freeway end, it would appear that it would be a game that would be determined by who could make better use of the breeze, with DLS winning the toss and taking advantage of the conditions for the first quarter. With a number of players running late to the game due to flight delays and stupidity, a quick reshuffle was required in number of positions, however the back six for the Diles have been outstanding all season this was again the trend for the first quarter and would continue for the entire match. DLS got on the board early, but with the Diles able to rebound strongly and work the ball well through the corridor were able to score three goals into the breeze.

In the second quarter the Diles were urged not to blaze away with the wind but to be patient going forward and use our key targets one-out. As expected DLS played a few players behind the ball and closed the space in the forward line. The Diles controlled the stoppages with Roger Larkins and David Rees combining well in the ruck, and midfielders Ferg ‘The Duchess’ Browne, T-Bone Byrne and Basil Barratt getting the first use of the ball. Craig Marsh was given the job on the dangerous Dwyer and during the course of the game was able to quell his influence on the contest and force errors on a number of occasions. Nick Corcoran showed his class with two excellent goals from long range and was creating headaches for the DLS backline. Alby J Martin, Nick Quinn and Ian Munro were combining well down forward, with Alby able to get off the leash and kick 3 in the first half. A handy lead was built at the long break and the equation was very simple, hold DLS in the third quarter and win the game and lock in top 2 finish and double chance come August.

The wind was getting worse, if that was possible, and even the best skilled players were unable to control the ball. Tim Roache and Will Ireland were fantastic in defence, taking a number of well judged marks and clearing the defensive areas. From rough count there was over 8 out of bounds on the full kicks from both teams in the one pocket, however the Diles were able to close the quarter down and DLS, through an excellent kick from the boundary line were only able to register 1 goal at the end of the quarter. Again our midfield stood up and won plenty of ball. Mark Davies proved his value to the team with a show of great poise and clean ball use to be among the best for the day.

Again the Diles were urged to maintain their composure we went into the last quarter with the breeze at our back/sides, and with the imminent departure of our key forward, Nicholas Hepburn Quinn, on his six week sabbatical to the Jesuit Missions in the Greek Islands, the players were asked to give him the send off he deserves. Hepburn responded in fine style taking several towering marks and bagging three for the quarter in a dominant power forward display. Sportsy and ‘Big Dog’ Roache were again excellent and ‘The Duchess’ was on record target for hard ball gets. The final quarter was a fitting finish to a hard fought match and to De La’s credit they battled well. A goal on the siren gave the DLS score a bit more respect, however the 38 point margin reflected the control the Diles had over the match.

This week sees the Diles have a well earned rest as we ramp up our march towards August. However waiting for us next week will be ladder leaders OM All Star’s  in a Tribute Match to Willy Wharton, a friend of many of the OM and Xavier fraternity who tragically passed last year. The game will be hosted at the MGS Senior Campus at 2pm on July 24, and I encourage all OXFC supporters to get down and support this wonderful initiative. I would like to thank members of the organising committee from OM’s and OXFC for your valuable contribution – Simon Harari, Anthony Voyage, James Beaumont, Stewart Wettenhall, Andrew Barrett and Will Conkie and the Wharton family. We look forward supporting this event and ensuring that the tradition between these two great teams continues for many years to come. More details to follow.