The Ménages returned to Stradbroke Park on Saturday in a longer than anticipated break from a game for premiership points. The team picked up right from where they left off, asserting their dominance early against an undermanned St. Bedes Mentone Tigers. The game started well with the veteran Matt "Gary" Altis marking and goaling strongly at the Burke Road end. Danny Meehan was dominant in the ruck and gave the onballers first use at every opportunity - the beneficiaries were Luke Knight and Anthony Torre, who returned to the midfield and ran rings around their opponents. Jules "Moisture" Moylan returned after a long injury break and for his first game for the Ménages and was not out of place down back or in the midfield.
Jed McDonnell started the game well up forward and provided numerous options as a marking target and fed the crummers well in dangerous spots. Liam Grigg was dominant in the midfield and had over a handful of clearances to his own name. The game was a no-contest from early on, but the Ménages stuck at the team structures and remained disciplined throughout the day. Peter Doyle and Nick Mudge provided a great springboard from half back and used the ball particularly well. Adam Faithful had his kicking boot on and started some impressive passages of play. Charlie Chisholm was a vital running wingman for the team and gave great dash and used the ball intelligently at every opportunity.
But in the end, the day belonged to Joshie Hanger. With three goals in the opening stanza, one in the second, three in the third and two in the last, Hang was the dominant player on the ground. His ball use was exemplary and his creativity and decision making second to none. He finished the day with 9 goals straight and nearly was able to complete the fairy tale with a mid air volley that was on line in the last minute, but touched by an opponent who clearly wasn't as keen as everyone else at the ground to see Hang finished with the perfect 10.
The performance was pleasing, but the group is very aware that we will not be meeting poor teams like this come finals time. Uni Blues is our next great challenge this weekend - a top two spot is still up for grabs and the Ménages need to be on their game against the Varsity. With only four remaining home and away games, efforts like this will hold us in good stead for the finals.