The PL men took on Waverley In a  top of the table clash at the Spice Bowl on Saturday. 
Despite creating more chances than the Panthers the United boys couldn’t get the job done and suffered their first loss of the season. Despite the disappointing result they still hold top position albeit only by a superior goal difference. 
With perennial powerhouse Camberwell this weekend the guys will need to learn from the Waverley loss and bounce back with a strong performance if they want to earn a home final in round 1. 
In the words of the immortal Rockey Balboa “ it's not about how hard you can hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep coming back”. 
Best on Ground went to Manabu Yamashita.
 

Report by Jesse Workman

After a great last quarter fight back against Altona the week prior, the Southern boys knew they had to find another gear in their game against Waverley who drew with 2nd place Greensborough the week earlier. A good week on the training pitch certainly paid off as the boys ran out 5-1 winners with an extremely dominant last quarter where they put three goals in. 

The game started at a frenetic pace, one which we knew we couldn't sustain for the whole game, but for all the pressing and turnovers we were creating we couldn't find an early goal. At the end of the 1st the score was deadlocked at 0-0. Our focus at the first quarter break was trying find a better balance between our press and not letting the urgency fall away, but to be a little more patient when we did win possession. 

The ever green kiwi Mark Scully joined the group in midfield with his first game of reserves for the year, applying his wily ways and smart positioning allowing Boomer to play an aggressive and attacking game from midfield. Boomer was in a dominant mood knowing Sculls and the impressive Billy Hanrahan had coverage for when we turned it over. Joey Kenny did his normal thing as the Mr Consistent of hockey, pressing hard from the midfield and causing Waverley all sorts of problems throughout the second quarter. Our young half backs Nick Fitzgerald and Dan Sweeney started to gain confidence and push forward with more urgency. The deadlock was finally broken, the boys going into half time 1-0 up. 

At half time the focus was on continuing to press with urgency and when winning possession looking to change the point of our attack, something we had struggled with in the first half. As the third quarter got under way it was more of the same from the Southern boys as they managed to extend their lead to 2-0. With control of the game a serious injury to Billy Hanrahan knocked the wind out of boys a little bit allowing Waverley to snag a goal back making it 2-1. 

Good luck to Billy in his recovery, I know our boys got around him post game, but on behalf of our group Billy, we look forward to seeing you back out there doing your thing as soon as possible. 

Into the fourth quarter, the boys rallied hard not wanting to let Waverley back in. Down a midfielder, David 'play me as a striker' Rosser moved into the forward rotation with Rob Strong shifting into midfield. Rob provided drive and purpose when he had the ball and Rosser, having played most of his career as a fullback, managed to nutmeg the keeper making it 3-1. From there the intent and purpose in all areas of our game for the entire last quarter was fantastic as the guys went on a scoring run putting another 2 goals in. 

Knowing how the guys played in the last quarter, as coach, I am pretty excited to see us take that bravery, intent and purpose into our massive game against a Camberwell this week. 

A great team effort with every single player contributing and playing their role. We're onto Camberwell. 

Goals: Boomer, Mini x 2, Strongy, Rosser

Report by Shannon Davey

A win to the premier league women keeps their fourth on the ladder and now four points ahead of Burra who lost to Altona on the weekend.

A fast start slowed to a sluggish crawl as Southern surrendered an early lead to fall 7-4 at Greensborough on Saturday, putting in jeopardy its finals hopes.
The United boys led 3-1 midway through the opening term before conceding five second-half goals to slip four points adrift of the top four.
Battling a surging home side and fading teammates, Nathan D’Souza and Jacques Carstens toiled relentlessly to spark a resurgence.
The PA boys travel to Footscray this Saturday in a do-or-die clash with the seventh-placed Doggies.
 

Report by Mark Tesoriero

A difficult loss for Pennant C. Despite the surprise addition of Zak Barahmis who flew in from Portugal at 6am of the morning of the game. Pennant C were unable to find victory against a Footscray team fighting to avoid relegation.
Southern conceded the first after a stroke was awarded and were 0-1 down at half time. We levelled not long after half time and looked like going ahead which many positive forward movements. Unfortunately we did not capitalise and a scrappy piece of defending saw us go 1-2 down with about 15 min to play.
Southern continued to push but could not convert. Goal difference is not an issue but points are essential in Pennant C. Southern subbed their keeper with 5 min to play but unfortunately conceded 2 more goals and eventually went down 1-4.
We must now beat TEM in round 17 to be guaranteed to make the finals.

Report by Jono Boyd

It was a strengthened Powerhouse St.Kilda that came to the Spice Bowl on Sunday, hoping to take the points but they didn't account for a very 'on song' Southern team.
Our 5-0 first half showed the competition that our solidarity and composure is our strength.
The team is seeing out the home and away matches with great determination.
Over the past 3 matches we have increased the margin against each team since last time we played them.
I am very proud of the way the team is playing.
Goals: Alisia 1, Lea 1, Nicole 4.
We were very unlucky not to have scored a few more. Alisia in particular with a cracking shot that hit the post. The 'silly' headband is back with Bron for being taken out by the opposition but then perfected a 'death roll' to land back up her feet. Some players now have' headband immunity' for plays from yesterday. :)

Report by Deb Stockdale

Girls were keen to take on Camberwell after last weeks loss to Altona and were warmed up ready to go on Saturday at the Hockey center. Only problem starting was the one umpire on the ground, Camberwell as the home side & with two coaches were reluctant to put anyone up so there was a delay getting the game started. Big thank you to the Brunswick player from the match before for stepping in & umpiring the game.
We started the game well & were really taking the game up to Camberwell in the first half but our basics were missing, we kept missing traps, our passes were missing & we couldn't get our shots away. Liv on our left side was having a stand out game winning the ball from the opposition a number of times & giving us the ball to make our attacks but our finishing was letting us down. To their credit Camberwell were giving us no time to set up in our attack & were quick to get back, with one of our players on a breakaway being met with 6 Camberwell defenders in the circle. We went into half time knowing we were the more dominant team in field play & that we just needed to keep attacking the ball, make better choices & make good on our passes. Maia, Anna & Jen were defending well down back turning Camberwell away in the 2nd half & not conceding any PC's for the match but up the other end we just couldn't put the ball in the net. Sometimes games just don't go your way, but a big thanks to Mossy & Maddy who were both playing under the weather but kept at it and to the team overall who despite things not going their way kept trying to make things happen the whole game. At one stage only 2 meters off the goal line we had 3 to 4 scramble pushes towards goal before a cracking shot hit the post & bounced away, which pretty much summed up the match for us, ending in a nil all draw.

Report by Lex Johnson

A late night at Monash against a strong, challenging team from ECHO! As I walked in to the ground, I could hear one of our players discussing a decision with the umpire and I was worried about where this was going to go. Fortunately, it was just a discussion and nothing more and the umpire was still smiling at half time… that was a relief! ECHO scored first and we were struggling to settle on an unfamiliar water based pitch. Everyone was finding it difficult to keep the ball under control and ECHO were very quick to pounce on anything that was remotely out of control. Whilst we struggled through most of the game, when we settled, we scored seemingly at will, the only problem was that we didn’t seem to will it often enough! Highlight of the game was Liana receiving an unexpected ball at pace and somehow keeping it under control and then passing it off. When I asked, “did I actually see that? What just happened?” Even the umpire laughed as it was so unexpected but beautifully executed! The highlight of the season was the forward pass from ECHO that managed to be missed by three very capable players that presented an opportunity to the sole ECHO forward who, after recovering from her initial shock of getting to her, turned and ran into the circle to confront our equally stunned goalie who then followed suit and allowed a scrambled goal. This resulted in another “did I actually see that?” comment from the coach followed by the umpires response… “no… actually, you weren’t watching!” And more chuckling from him… cheeky git! Whilst we got the three points, it was far from the levels we have played at on occasion, but full marks to the girls for their never give up attitude and ability to laugh at themselves. 4-3 end result and a timely reminder of why I enjoy coaching them so much!
 
 

Report by Warren Davey
(editor's note: Warren is so nice, but we know which three players missed the ball.  We wont tell, will we Deb?)

Yet another very close game for the under 18s going down 2-1 to MCC. The team defended a massive number of penalty corners with some great defending to only allow 2 goals in for the whole game.

Our night started with 4 players away with SSV and 1 injured leaving us with 8 field players and a goalie. Thankfully George and Jasper from U/14 Shield were willing to double up and give us 11 players.
Camberwell came out hard, also missing SSV players, making the first half very back and forth play. We were going out hard as well, maybe a little to hard with Nick getting a green card. We absorbed the counter attacks well in defense, but couldn't quite convert in the D ending the first half 0 - 0.
We came out in the second half with the desire to win stronger than ever. 10 minutes into the half things got a little out of hand with a green card for Davin and Ant and a yellow for Dom all in 30 seconds. The pressure was on with no subs and 3 players down. We managed to successfully keep them scoreless with this major disadvantage. Then with 11 back on the field and 5 minutes to go Davin finally scored a ripper of a goal to put us in the lead 1 - 0. Then we held on for the last 5 minutes to keep that as the final score and beat Camberwell, the top team.

Report by Cameron Connell

Rocking up to Dendy street at 6.30pm we all new it would be a cold night to be apart of.  But credit to the team they turned up the heat and let Casey know we are a serious outfit in the competition.  
Getting the chocolates with an 11-0 win. 

Next week will be the grudge match against Mentone. 1st v 2nd on the ladder.

Report by Hayden Jones
 

 Our two District teams faced off in the Diversity Derby this week.  Tensions were high with parents deliberately separated and Behavioural Awareness Officers on high alert given the build up and fever surrounding this important game.  Red got off to a flyer in the first half with good passing and focus, excellent work in the forward circle (particularly at the posts) and strong defence seeing them sprint to a first half lead of 4-0.  The Black team came out in the second half with a determination not to let history remember this important day as a whitewash, and put together more accurate and effective passing, fantastic work up forward and more focused, frantic and protective defence.  While Black won the half (3-2) Red’s first half efforts carried the day with a final winning scoreline of 6-3.  A mammoth four goals to Michael Green saw him take Red’s Star of the Week Award with other great goals from Luke and Davyd.  Black’s Star of the Week was Daniel Pardo (one goal) (other scorers:  Jackson Yates and David Overton).

Report by Ric Birkett & Hugh Stevenson

The importance of this game cannot be undersold and what a great atmosphere our 16 south teams have. With that I have also included the report by Woz.

The two U16 teams faced off against one another for the second time for this season. After some light hearted banter between the coaches the teams took the field and the game began! There was the initial arm wrestle between the two forward lines which was ably dealt with by the corresponding defensive lines. There was some diverse talents on show and they were all made welcome as there was a lot at stake… who would score first! Both teams were challenging the scorers but were very respectful of the opposition’s capacity to counter attack! The game was very inclusive, that is to say, everyone was involved and the passing was, at times, amazing! Needless to say, everyone enjoyed the game and there were excellent passages of play that both the coaches were extremely proud of. It has been great to see such a wonderful group of players training together and playing against each other in the true spirit of the game. The end score was unimportant, yes one of the teams one, but the highlight was the way they all came together and sang the club song. The development of the players has been fantastic and it is a joy to be involved with this group! I am sure Rob is as proud of his group as I am of mine!