On a perfect day for football, and with a 1 v 2 clash, the scene was set for a typical Old Xavs v Uni Blues contest, and the game certainly delivered on the pre-match build up.

Prior to the bounce there was an uneasy calm at Stradbroke Park as both teams prepared for the game and you could just sense that this was a crunch match for both sides.

With another 9 changes to the side this week, including a couple of late promotions to the 2’s, the Ménage unit was a little unsettled and for the first time this season was potentially vulnerable against a quality opposition.

The Ménages came out of the blocks early with 3 goals straight in the first 10 minutes, but a determined Uni Blues began to find their feet and controlled the second half of the quarter to lead by 9 points at quarter time.  Gary Altis was presenting well on the lead and Ulba in the ruck was giving our onballers some great first use.

The coach simply asked for accountable footy from the boys in the second quarter but it fell on deaf ears, it seemed, as the Blues ran riot and dominated the first 20 minutes of the quarter, and but for inaccurate kicking on their part, the game could well have been over at half time. Such was the Blue’s dominance, the Ménages had gone 33 playing minutes without a goal.  But late goals in the quarter showed that we still had a pulse at the big break. 

It was back to basics at the half time huddle with the simple message of old fashioned one on one footy and being responsible for your direct opponent being the theme.  The Blue boys came out hard as expected and looking for the early killer blow, they kicked the first goal of the term plus kicked a few wasteful and ultimately costly behinds, but increased their lead to 28 points early in the quarter.  Hew Davies was thrown into the midfield and showed some much needed experience, poise and guts, Chocolates and Tickets were holding up well across half back and Roachey was flying a bit like yesteryear around the flanks.

For the first time this season the on field character of this side was being challenged but there were some encouraging signs as the Ménages began to tough it out.  The tackling pressure from all players in the team for the first 15 minutes of the third quarter was top drawer.  We closed down the Blue’s run and began to play some good, tough footy and showed that we wanted it just a little more than our opposition.  When the going got tough, we got going.  The back 6 held strong for the quarter, with Jed McDonnell keeping it simple and being rewarded with the post-match padlock.  Johnno Meehan provided great dash and run and suddenly with some great late team goals, the Ménages went into the orange break trailing by only 9 points and with plenty of self belief.

The last quarter was a tense and uncompromising affair from both sides with the game tightening up by the minute. The scores were tied at the 19 minute mark, but with a sense in the crowd that maybe the Ménages were not done with yet.  In an anxious and exciting last 6 minutes, the Blues scored a behind to grab back the lead, but the Ménage’s responded with a behind to again level the score. With only 3 minutes left on the clock Gary Altis marked in the forward 50 and had a shot to give us a 6 point lead with a goal.  Only a behind was managed, which wasn’t going to be enough.  For the next 2 minutes it was touch and go, but every Ménage followed instruction and tightened up on their direct opponent.  The boys were rewarded with a great goal by Best on Ground Chook Hennessey and the victory was sealed with great excitement.

A rousing and inspiring rendition of the club song in the rooms after the match showed the importance of this win to the players and reflected the spirit of this playing group in season 2010.

It’s oft said that it’s a better guide to judge the worth of a side when they are playing badly, not when they are playing well - on Saturday the 2010 Ménages passed that test.