ROUND 18…. made bitter sweet playing against

Waverley at State Netball Hockey Centre. The

Dees supporters came in numbers firing up

against Waverley in front of a crowd and proving

“who has game.”

Men’s PL MCC 3 – WAVERLEY 6 Vijay Soma, Josh Bretherton & Anthony Traill Men’s PLR MCC 2 – WAVERLEY 0 Aaron Lougoon Women’s PL MCC 2 – WAVERLEY 1 Jess Cremin & Sara Calthorpe Women’s PLR MCC 1 - WAVERLEY 1 Julia Smith

Finals Series…. Approaching week 1 of the

finals, anticipation is building with 5 senior teams

and 3 junior teams competing. The hunger for

success has seen a noticeable increase in

training, and overall excitement around the club.

The Women’s section have had great success

with 4 of the 5 senior teams playing this week

being Women’s teams. Men’s Premier League

Reserve continues their late season good form to

book their spot in the finals. The juniors have

carried on from last year’s success with 4 teams

competing in this year’s finals. Special mention to

U14R who are through to the Grand Final game,

while U14B will be playing against PH/St.K this

Friday Night.

Good Luck to all of the teams!!!!

As the great John Kennedy said….

“Don’t think, don’t hope……DO!!!!”

Supporters & spectators show your support and love for the game by coming to the games wearing “RED, WHITE & BLUE” and cheering loudly for the Dees

6th Issue – 2nd Sep 2016

All are welcome at the Grand Final Week Luncheon on the Monday, and this is a fantastic opportunity to be part of the Grand Final week activities at the MCG. To purchase tickets for either event or for more info, please contact: Tim Herringshaw - t1mjh@mac.com Bookings with payment close Thursday Sep 15th (or before if all spaces are filled)

We have very limited numbers available for a

lunch at the AFL Grand Final. This is only

available to those from the Hockey Section who

are MCC Full or Playing Members and therefore

have access to the members reserve for the AFL

Grand Final.

RSVP by Thursday September 16th

Summer Hockey 2016/17

Thank you to everyone that completed the survey (now closed) – this has allowed us to enter teams in our preferred competitions as soon as entries opened.

There are still some places available and we will send out a link to register and pay in due course.

Teams entered:

Monday Masters 35+ at MHS [1 team] 17/10-12/12; 6/2-27/2 (10 weeks plus finals). Cost - Keeper $50, field $135

Tuesday Men at MHS [4 teams] 11/10-13/12 not Cup Day (9 weeks no finals). Cost - Keeper $50, field $110

Wednesday Women at MHS [3 teams] 5/10-7/12 (10 weeks no finals). Cost - Keeper $50, field $125

Wednesday Masters 50+ at F-1 [1 team] 19/10-7/12; 1/2-22/2 (10 weeks plus finals). Cost - Keeper $50, field $135

Juniors - We will send a separate communication for Friday night summer 6s but we will enter teams in all age groups (u10, u12, 14 & u16) 14/10-16/12 not 28/10. Cost - $90 (all)

Any player wishing to participate in a Summer Competition must be registered with an HV Affiliate and be financial with Hockey Victoria.

New and Inactive Members must purchase a 2016 HV Off Season Playing Membership which will cover players until 31/12/2016 – available to purchase from 23 Sep via HockeyNet.

HV 2016 Over 18 Offseason Playing Membership - $20

HV 2016 Under 18 Offseason Playing Membership - $15

U16 Schoolboys

Hugh Hamilton, GK in the Vic U16 Schoolboys

team that won gold. The Match was drawn at full-

time and went to penalty shoot outs. Hugh

managed to save all 5 shootouts and Victoria won

– 1-0 on shootouts. John Hooper was an

assistant coach of the boys’ team.

Below is the photo of the two champions.

MCC Announcement – Beaumaris Secondary

College

You may have seen in the media the

announcement of an MCC deal to build sports

facilities at a new Beaumaris Secondary College -

if not refer to the links below:

Herald Sun Article State Gov Press

While the Hockey Section Committee has been

aware for some time that the MCC was

discussing some plans with the State

Government, we have not been involved in these

discussions or in any of the planning.

The proposal mentions a multipurpose (synthetic)

field and further mention was made in an

interview of hockey use. However please note

that no arrangements have been made with the

MCC in this regard and we do not know what the

surface would be, if there would be lights, what

access there might be, and what the cost would

be to use such a facility. We expect that the MCC

will provide this information to the Committee in

due course.

The biggest issue for potential MCC Hockey use

is of course that Beaumaris College is an

approximate 45 minute drive from our home at

Melbourne High School.

As you know securing a second ground is one of

the top priorities for the Hockey Section, to

address capacity issues in the seniors and

masters and to allow us to significantly grow our

juniors. We have also identified another

opportunity which we are working through with

the MCC. We will provide an update on grounds

when appropriate but be assured our primary

ground will remain at Melbourne High School

where we have unmatched hockey playing and

social facilities in Melbourne and a long lease

remaining

Congratulations to Rhiannon Murrie and Imran

House who have just recently got married.

Rhiannon’s Summary:

Our wedding day was so lovely - filled with so

much love and so many laughs! We went to the

South Island of NZ for our honeymoon and

decided spur of the moment to book on a bungy

jump - unbeknownst to us it happened to be the

biggest in NZ and I think the second biggest in

the world at 134m. It was terrifying. Once I

actually jumped off it was fun, but getting to that

ledge... Uggghhhhh!

We need your help please! As many of you may know we are a Level 2 Good Sports Club.

Good Sports help and support sporting clubs to create a safe,

inclusive environment where everyone can get involved and do

their bit.

Now the good bit... Please go to the link shown below and vote

for Bucky as the beating heart of MCC Hockey Section. We all

stand to benefit as we could win $3000 for MCCHS and $1000 to

send Bucky on holiday (maybe the only chance we'll get to send

him away from MHS!) Please vote, and please also share:

http://beatingheart.com.au/nominee/bucky-mark/

Mark ‘Bucky’ Hodgson is known by everyone at MCC Hockey Section, in fact he is probably the only club member that ALL our club members know. Bucky’s commitment to the club is relentless: Opening and closing our facilities, stocking and running the kiosk/bar, ensuring the changing rooms

are open, putting the goals out on the pitch, setting up the BBQ for the fundraising clubrooms, the list goes on….

Round 18 – WPL 2 vs Waverley 1 With two goals scored in the first 5 minutes, we knew it was going to be a close game. Desperate dives from Carla and Laura weren't even enough to increase the score line. A crafty corner from Breen, was thankfully converted by Jess to give us a 2-1 lead. The lead did not increase or decrease and we finished with a 2-1 win. Special mention to Claire who saved a goal on the line! It was a hard fought win by the girls, and we will look to come out firing against Essendon Ladies in our semi-final on Sunday. #winnerwinnerchickendinner GO DEES! Round 18 – MPL 3 vs Waverley 6 The final game of the season had 6th spot up for grabs against one of our many arch enemies Waverley. We had plenty to play with three players confirmed as their last first XI game and Waverley keen to respond to a mid-season defeat and the infamous Moley three points in your pocket stunt. With a finals berth up for grabs on pitch 2 the first squad started with the bare XI, unaware if two or four reserves would be made available. A pre match presentation from club stalwart PJ Weller attempted to inspire one final effort for retiring players. One of them (Vijay) scored a diving backhander to give us an early lead. Waverley responded however a Josh B tomahawk over the keepers right shoulder. Scores were levelled before half time ready for a big second half. Could we withstand the weight of numbers like the previous week was the question? Waverley jumped out of the gates and scored twice to take a 4:2 lead. We got back in the game with the double reverse spin and slap. Potentially the ugliest goal 'old man Traill' has ever scored for the club in his milestone game. The group pushed for the equaliser but was fatiguing fast and conceded two late goals to lose 6:3. The change room celebrated the contribution of departing players with old fashioned round of

lemonades with many club celebrities from the past 20 years joining in on the celebration. Round 18 – WPLR 1 vs Waverley 1 Last round before finals take place, it was a beautiful Sunday morning with clear skies and a “can do” attitude in the air. First half of the game was a struggle to put the ball away as their were many opportunities. One instance in the first half Frankie Carr was struck by a Waverley stick splitting open her skin near her right eye in the attacking D and was forced to go to the hospital like a hero. In the second half the team picked up and Julia Smith hit an ice breaker near the left post. The team held well until the last 7mins of the game Waverley snuck through and put away a goal. Overall the team fought well for the last game of the regular season. Well played team!!! #finalist#longtimefoeelhc Round 18 – MPLR 2 vs Waverley 0 As the balmy day filled with morning lattes and

grilled toasties with preserved beetroot, bacon

and chilli subsided, the majority of the hockey

world were preparing themselves for the

onslaught of the final round of the season and a

number of finals deciding games. Most

importantly, the premier league reserves game of

the great steam rolling MCC demons and the out

of form Waverley. Having come off a stinging loss

to Doncaster one-week prior, the MCC outfit knew

what a full set of chairs was on the table… ready

to be kicked off (much to Buckys dismay). Angies

stat board showed Waverley two points ahead

with the w/l/d ratio of 12:5:4 including a massive

upset by the bottom dwellers, Melbourne

University, two weeks earlier. A win by MCC here

would see them leapfrog both Footscray and

Waverley and earn a position back in the top 4,

where they belong.

After a stirring pre-match g-up by the

aforementioned Ang, the wheels were set in

motion and the steam was visibly pouring from

Colin’s head as the sun was setting on the depths

of pitch 2 of the hockey centre. The warm up

began in furious fashion, with young Hugh

Hamilton put through his passes, readying him for

everything that awaited.

The opening whistle pierced the crisp air, as MCC

took the ball and fired it around building a number

of early chances. The early mid-field drive of Jack

Lewis and Tom Sinclair resulted in a quick fire

shot from Jack, unfortunately just to the side of

the goals. This was followed up within the minute

by another, this time off a timely rebound but

again was fired just wide (and possibly a number

of metres high) of the goalmouth, almost hitting

the premier league coach watching from the

sideline.

Waverley had a number of slim chances, trying to

counter and slipping some long bombs from the

sidelines, but with Col, Hugh Jellie and Stirlo

rocking the defensive set-up, each time it went in,

it calmly came back out and up the sidelines to

the hard-working Mikey P and Adsi Romas.

Half time came with the scores locked, each team

with a couple of chances. Filled with confidence,

the team agreed this was our game and with a sly

grin Ang sent us back out to get the job done.

As the second half began, MCC jumped up the

pace and could see the Waverley boys beginning

to fade, finally those Buller hill started to pay off

(or maybe a missed training session here or

there, the verdicts still out). Early enough though,

we were again able to build the play around the D

with another quick fire pass popping up to

Johnny, and with the composure of Chen Aisen,

10m platform diving Gold medalist, tapped it over

the keeper to the flurry of bodies who ran the ball

and themselves into the net. Collecting himself

out of the carnage, Goonie celebrated having

claimed to steal the goal from Johnny. The

ground went berserk, or at least the parts with red

and blue. Game on.

Waverley were quick to counter, but again were

sent packing with Ned and Simon McCool

whipping overheads with the nonchalant ease his

name dictates. Webby helped to steady the ship

from the defense and worked closely with new-

comer Rannoch Foster to get him into the game

deeper down the ground. A much-needed cameo

from Charlie Hamilton, created space in the 25,

and some slick passes created some good play

around the edge of the circle.

Fast paced play was building again, through

Mikey P, with another polished pass to Huge

Bellie who upon receiving the ball, slowed time

and casually wandered past some flailing sticks.

Out of the corner of his eye he spotted a very

open Goonie stopped at the top of the D (having

heeded Angies comments for the first time this

season and not kept running off the field). With a

flick of the wrist, Jellie popped the ball across,

and Goonie received the ball across his body and

smoothly drove it down the line and out of reach

of extended keeper.

2-0.

Photo evidence shows the explosion of passion

from the guys, having hoped to seal their fate, but

it was great to hear the crowd also behind them

(special shout-out to the big-man Matty C).

With their heads slightly in the gutter, Waverley

tried one last wave of attacks, the team though,

standing strong.

A number of late collisions took the wind out of

Goonie and Jellie but the team held out for the

win and a final awaits them next week.

#Lidsfinallyoff #twosvibe #finalsforharambe

Until the next one-sided account of event, this has

been Goonie, signing out.

Round 18 – WPA 0 vs Essendon LHC 0 WPA next up after WPB, started off strong and continued with intensity through the first half but so did Essendon Ladies who took their opportunities quickly. Second half saw the same intensity, overall no one scored. Well done Dees!! El Webb smiling away during the WPA game.

Round 18 – MPA 2 vs TEM 2 MPA played TEMs at the Hawthorn hockey centre in round 18. Unfortunately our finals dream was well and truly gone due to a slow start to the season, however there was still plenty to play for. We needed a win and another result to go our way to lift us off the bottom of the ladder. Numbers were again tight and we were lucky enough to have a couple of familiar faced in Duncan Tilman and Angus Cassidy help us out to bolster our stocks to 13. TEMs scored early and dominated the early exchanges but didn’t get many circle penetrations. We equalised midway through the half with a field goal to Stephen Athaide. Following our equaliser, momentum swung our way and we applied a significant amount of pressure on TEMs, creating a number of opportunities that we weren’t able to capitalise on. At half time the game was evenly poised. MCC began the second half confident in the knowledge that we had momentum, the wind behind our backs and superior fitness. An early goal to Rannock Foster put us up and from then on we dominated the game. Numerous circle penetrations, opportunities and even a handful of one on ones with the goalie were created but not converted. Late in the game TEMs were attacking the MCC circle. It was right on full time and they were able to win a penalty corner through a driving run into the circle from their left wing. The MCC defensive battery was set and just before the ball was injected the umpire called full time. TEMs played out the corner which was initially defended by MCC but not cleared form the circle. In a controversial decision it was adjudicated that the ball had struck an MCC players foot and a second penalty corner was awarded. TEM were able to convert their second chance and tied the game up at 2-2 with no time left. Unfortunately for MCC this meant we finished at the bottom of the ladder (despite the other game going the way we needed it to). Whilst the result was frustrating it was symbolic of the season we had had. There were 7 games where we conceded goal(s) within the last 5 minutes to either lose or draw. Onwards and upwards for 2017.

Round 18 – WPB 1 vs Essendon LHC 0 WPB started first and were out to prove why we are sitting first place. Playing on a rough surface didn’t even put a dent in our game, First half of the game was very 50/50 game for both teams but in the second half the team was out for blood and Anna Hyde gave a great pass to Tash Wilkinson which lead to a goal. In the last 5mins of the game the bombers held up the game by continuous force of short corners but we stuck strong as a team and didn’t let any in past Lexi. I still don’t understand how Greensborough smacked in 12 goals against Mentone which only scored 2 goals and Greensborough overtook Essendon Ladies from 4th place, Kylie please explain!!!! Round 17 - WPC 0 vs KBH Brumbies 2 Round 17 was make it or break it for WPC. The

scenario was MCC V Brumbies with brumbies

fourth on the ladder by five points, MCC would

have to win the next two and Brumbies loose the

next two for MCC to get in finals. The morning of

the game didn’t start well with two people pulling

out sick and a mad scramble to fill the gaps with

Bryley making the dash early up from Geelong to

play the game. The game started well with the

intensity and skill which we have come to expect

which created numerous opportunities for the

Dees. Half time finished with a corner to the

Dees with ten players up but no goal and two to

the opposition.

The second half saw some great plays with the

forward line linking up well and hard work by

everyone in defence; but it was not to be. MCC

down 2 – 0 to Brumbies

Round 18 - MPD 3 vs Footscray 2 The MPD finished the season with another win

over a top 4 team in Footscray to make it 3 in a

row, and 4 of the last 5 to finish the season

(technically, including a draw; we had 1 loss in

the last 6 weeks).

Playing into form before finals is always a good

idea. If only we made it... Oh well - you can't win

'em all. A slow start to the game saw us go down

0-1 early, but buoyed by a home crowd and a

promise of free beers if a win could be obtained;

we piled on 4 goals. Lochie O’Sullivan led the

spree with his first goal in three years with a

superb drag-flick in off their LHS post-man.

James O’Brian and Patrick Sanders contributed

one each while a perfectly executed short corner

‘variation’ scored another for Chris Ashe.

Thanks to other favourable results, we finish 5th;

which we probably don't deserve but would have

happily taken after round 12 – and we are left to

rue missed opportunities and to wonder 'what

could have been'.

So our season comes to a spectacularly

victorious end. Special thanks for Andy Mac for

organising (or arranging) the team every week,

Patrick Sanders as Captain and Brian Burton as

team Secretary, not to mention our cheer captain

Guy ‘Boat’ Peterson.

Fear not dear MCC members, The MPD will

return in 2017!! There's some unfinished business

to take care of.

Round 18 - WPE 0 vs Bayside 5 Only our fourth home game at MHS for the season saw us with an 11am Sunday start. Weather good, spirits high. Mary Noone had had an even earlier start, coming from State Masters training and first player at the ground was young Sobriah from the U14s, our fill in player. As expected Bayside was a tough generally young team but as per usual we put up a great fight and made them earn every goal they scored. Ivi played another inspiring and energetic game in goals and although we had a number of circle penetrations and corners we were unable to convert them into goals. Typical of our season we all gave 110%, never gave up and had fun despite the score line. The best thing was that we could relax and enjoy the club facilities after the game without having to jump in cars and find somewhere to celebrate our final game of the season.

Round 18 - MPF 0 vs Southern United 6 With yet again a different starting line-up, the

MPF team played a strong game not quite

reflected in the score. As expected of a team that

has made finals, Southern played a skilled and

clever game style with lots of pressure on the

MCC defence. Hamish Fergusson once again

excelled in the net and was complimented by his

opposite number from Southern on his

performance. Tony O’Reilly filled in for us and

made a huge contribution not only with strong

tackling and accurate distribution, but also his

decisive calling to set up the defence. All

members of the defence worked hard with strong

performances from Jeetu Khusal, Ryan Glasson,

Shaun Glasson and Nigel Clark. Will Cranwell,

Josh Schmalenbach and James Fox had some

opportunities to penetrate the Southern defence

but could not convert on the scoreboard. Ned

McCarron and Simon Hood, as usual, provided a

strong core to give the team good structure,

setting up forwards with good distribution and

covering the defensive gaps. Craig McGrath

gave his all in spite of playing with an injury. Gary

March also helped out as a substitute in spite of

being incompletely recovered from a thigh injury.

Hockey Victoria 2016 Awards Dinner

HV will be holding their awards dinner on Weds

14th September in the Olympic Room at the

MCG. Cost is $98 for a 2 course dinner & soft

drinks. Cash bar available.

Anyone is welcome to attend, for bookings (close

5th Sep) and further

info:http://www.hockeyvictoria.org.au/Competitio

…/…/Awards-Dinner

For more info click: Game On!

EXT

As part of the Hockey Community, and as we have a significant number of umpires within our club membership, we would like to remind all of our members and supporters to treat all officials with respect at all times. We hope that we all do already, but perhaps just take a minute to check that you are, and will, in the future. Without them, we can't play the game we love! #ThanksUmp

Team Photos

Please send team photos to Sarah the address is below. Please send to: hao039@hotmail.com

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Note: You cannot register through the phone app, it must be completed in a browser first, then login on to the phone app.

Feedback

Please drop an email to Sarah Haouchar or Fiona Noone, if there are any issues in regards to the “Off the Bench” newsletter or other social media (Facebook or Instagram). All feedback welcomed.

Sarah: hao039@hotmail.com

Fiona: fionamcchockey@gmail.com

Facebook Links

Keep up to date with hockey announcements, news & notices by requesting and liking the Facebook pages.

Member’s page:

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Public page:

https://www.facebook.com/MCC-Hockey-Section-194446417328252/

www.bankofmelbourne.com.au www.justhockey.com.au www.momentumenergy.com.au