Coming off a big loss last week against De La, then having to butter up to Saturday’s game against last year’s Premiers, Collegians, was always going to be a difficult assignment for the Ménages.

Collegians, fifth on the ladder, were effectively playing for their season - as a loss would almost certainly put them out of the finals race.

The Ménages got off to a slow start in the first quarter and lacked confidence and cohesion against their bigger bodied opponents to trail by 5 goals at the first break.  But to their credit, the boys lifted in the second quarter, began to win the clearances and the one on ones, to kick five goals for the quarter and lead by 2 points at the half way.

Luke Knight and Patty Purcell led the way with their uncompromising attack on the ball, particularly around the clearances, with Knighta being awarded the Dimmattina Restaurant Voucher for best afield.

Nick Mudge, playing his first game in five weeks, showed all his usual dash and composure off half back to restate his claims as an important member of this side as the season sharpens.

The third quarter was an arm wrestle with the defences of both sides being on top and neither side being able to gain a defining break but Collegians led by 5 points at the orange break.

The final quarter saw the lead change 4 times with only a point separating the sides at the at the 19 minute mark, but the Ménages, not to be outdone, found some momentum and willed their way to one final thrust to kick 2 goals in the last 4 minutes to win by 14 points.

Michael Hennessy, was terrific at centre half forward all day, kicking four goals.  Rory Lynch was not only tireless in the ruck but also effective around the ground and Matt Roache and Sam Adams are both running into form.

This was an important win for the Ménages in the context of their season and it was imperative this week to see how the boys would respond after a poor performance – and they responded in the best possible way with a hard fought win against a good opposition and have re-established a good platform from which to further build into the important part of the season.