Round 10 Match Reports (2025)

The Senior Men were looking to challenge the ladder leaders Power House on their home deck and welcoming back their key forward after a number of weeks off through injury. Kicking with the advantage of the wind the Trobers started well with the opening goal slotted by Toby Herbert who had his kicking boots on this week. Power House responded quickly but Toby marked again and kicked truly to add a second and build his confidence after some wayward kicking against Chadstone last week. The first quarter continued to be an arm wrestle as both teams looked to gain the upper hand. Hugo O’Callaghan was continuing his recent excellent form, winning the hit outs and giving great service to Jonty Randall, Sam Benetti-Baker and Jackson Gronow. The big fella was also dropping back and taking numerous intercept marks to repel the home team. The quarter ended all square but the feeling was the Trobers should’ve used the wind to greater advantage and had the lead by the first break – 2.3 apiece for the quarter.

Power House now had the use of the breeze and our lads needed a big defensive effort to negate their advantage, and so it was for much of the quarter. Huges again working back to support the defenders led by Connor McCredden and Adrian Marulli, it was a continuation of the first quarter as the teams went goal for goal. Toby added his third while Tate Spiteri and Tiz Hillman kicked truly before Toby added yet another to take his tally to 4 for the half. It was the home team by just 2 points at the main break – 6.5 (41) to 6.3 (39).

Power House were clearly not happy with their first half and came out with great intent after the break. Running in numbers, cleaner  disposal and multiple inside 50s giving their forwards plenty of scoring opportunities they added 6.6 for the quarter. Ernie Fan and Josh Horder added La Trobe’s only goals for the quarter with the wind now blowing across the ground towards the Lakeside Drive end. The Housers now leading by 32 points – 12.11 (83) to 8.3 (51).

Coach Andy Castles‘ message at the huddle was to give him a four quarter effort as the team had done last week. While the home side won the quarter, our lads fought it out to the final siren after they added 3.6 to La Trobe’s 2 goals kicked by Tom Burns making his senior debut and Spitta for his second of the day. Power House had shown why they are sitting atop the ladder with a disciplined performance doing what was needed to see off another challenger. Our lads had shown they can go with the best when the intensity and effort is there, but it needs that commitment from everyone in the team in every quarter – this will be required when we travel to Kevin Bartlett Reserve to take on Richmond Central next Saturday!

La Trobe’s best were Hugo O’Callaghan, Connor McCredden, Sam Benetti-Baker, Toby Herbert, Ernie Fan and Adrian Marulli.