This was one of those tough mid-season days everyone just had to grin and bear. It was cold and bleak and we were playing the undefeated top side.

Add to that on Thursday night the list of injured and unavailable senior and reserve players had hit 29, so we only had eight players for the twos, requiring us to call on the services of the Club XVIII. The Clubbies answered the call and sacrificed their match against Old Xaverians so we could field a reserves side. It was much appreciated.

Up against Kew, the seniors started with plenty of endeavor and took it right up to the Division One pacesetters in the first quarter. A two point lead could have much more but for some very narrow misses.

In the second quarter our effort was still terrific but the Bears made us pay for a number of turnovers with superior ball use and straight kicking to take a 22-point lead.

Early in the third term we raised our game and kicked the first two goals to close the margin to 11-points. From thereon it was one-way traffic as Kew kicked 10.7 to 0.1. In fairness the lack of first choice senior players caught up with us, as did the injury interrupted seasons of many of those who were on the field.

Pleasingly a number of players put in season best efforts, including Chris Ford, who was dominant in the air, although his usually reliable goalkicking was a little off. Chris Colman was another who took many marks in difficult conditions. Jack Conrick was a surprise packet and should make a senior player.

Very good again were Gerrard Bence (who must be the best defender in Division One), Pat Kelly, Simon Hayes and Mick O’Donoghue.

Now we have a week off before a massive game against Bulleen-Templestowe away. A win there will still keep our season alive while a loss will put us in relegation territory. It will be an old fashioned eight-point game. Enjoy the break then see you at Ted Ajani to cheer on the boys.