Each week presents a new challenge in this 2010 re-vamped thirds competition and this week was a challenge of a different kind against Old Brighton. Winless so far this season, Old Brighton is clearly struggling at the bottom of the ladder but they have been reasonably competitive in recent weeks against some good opposition.

43 individual players have represented the Ménages so far this season and with another 11 changes in the side this week due to injury, unavailability and promotion to the 2’s, maintaining team structures and game plan consistency is a test each week for the selected 22.

But the boys adapted magnificently on Saturday to record a 174 point win. The pleasing part of the victory was not so much the winning margin, albeit a massive percentage booster, but it was more the disciplined and uncompromising four quarter team effort, culminating in a 10 goal last quarter against a strong Brighton sea breeze.

So fierce is the competition for places in this side that each week it seems different players put their hand up for best afield honours. Goal sneak forward pocket Matthew Dimattina had his best game with this side, posting 5 goals for the day and 14 for the season and also showed he had another edge to his sword by taking a couple of courageous front of pack marks to record a best on ground performance and this week’s Dimattina’s voucher.

Dan Meehan is having a great season up forward and also showed his versatility with some deft taps outs when moved into the ruck.  Captain, Patty Purcell, under an injury cloud in recent weeks, showed exactly why he is captain with another courageous trademark performance.

With our ruck stocks depleted this week, Tom Grigg in his first game back after missing 4 weeks with a busted hand, stepped up to unfamiliar territory and rucked most of the day with the same ferocious attack on the ball that he displays in every match he plays.  Josh Evans relished on the ball and down back and was strong and hard at it all day.

Congratulations to James Ulbrick on his promotion to the 2’s this week following in the footsteps of James Morton and Josh Hanger in previous weeks and who, by their consistent good form in the thirds, have all earned their chance to test their skills in the higher level of competition.

Saturday’s win was a very good team performance and as the half way mark of the season approaches, the 2010 Ménage team is starting to take shape. But there are still opportunities in this side for players who are desperate to be part of the team, who work hard on the track, and when given their chance are prepared to do the team things as we continue to build for the latter half of the season