Round 12 Match Reports (2025)

The Senior Men were home at Tony Sheehan Oval looking to get back on the winners list on the day we celebrated Ernie Fan’s 150th La Trobe game. A strong four-quarter effort was the key message from Coach Andy Castles with a great opportunity to record another win heading into the back half of the season. Cam Marcroft assumed the main ruck role with the absence of injured Hugo O’Callaghan, and we welcomed back Vice-captain Liam Walsh, backmen Luke Vaughan and Will Barnes, and the Burns Boys – Tom and Ressies Co-captain Connor for his first senior game since 2023.

La Trobe were kicking to the City End favoured by a strong breeze and Indy Williamson’s great form continued as he kicked the first major of the game in the opening minutes before Co-captain Sam Benetti-Baker kicked truly to stretch the lead to 14 points. The Sharks responded well kicking their first into the wind, but the Trobers were quick to reply with Andy Castles finding the big sticks from range. Cas was presenting as the key forward target and added his second as red-time approached and then it was The Milestone Man Fan’s turn to split the big posts as everyone rush to get around him and celebrate! At the siren it was La Trobe by 23 points, 5.5 (35) to 2.0 (12), but inaccuracy had cut what should’ve been a bigger lead given that the Trobers had dominated the first stanza.

In the second term La Trobe were kicking into the wind but after Jack Miller’s opening clearance and Cas’s give and go saw him kick inside 50, Josh Horder gathered the ball and snapped from the pocket to score a Daicos-like sausage roll! Much of the play was between the arcs for the next 10 or so minutes before the visitors added their third, but Cas slotted his third to stretch the lead to 5 goals. The second half of the quarter saw our back 6, led by Co-captain Connor McCredden, repel Eley Park’s attempts to score with the wind as both sides struggled to kick accurately in the tricky conditions. At the main break it was La Trobe winning the quarter and extending their lead to 29 points – 7.8 (50) to 3.3 (21).

The message in the rooms was for a big effort in the third quarter and take full advantage when kicking to the scoring end. Midfielders Jonty Randall, Jack Miller, BB and Jackson Gronow were winning plenty of contested ball and providing supply to our forwards, as were Walshy and Adrian Marulli out on their wings. Goals to Hords, elusive forward Tate Spiteri – 2 in quick succession, and defender now midfielder Turtle saw the game open up, but a late goal for The Sharks and kicking 4.10 for the quarter spoilt what should’ve been a greater margin at three quarter time – 11.18 (84) to 4.3 (27).

Coach Andy Castles urged his team to not relax and give him a four-quarter effort by winning the final term kicking into the wind. Jackson Gronow opened the scoring with the Trobers’ 12th for the match, with Spitta adding another 2 for the quarter and Indy Williamson kicked his second (and should’ve had a third but for a certain goal umpire’s decision) as the home side added 4.5 into the wind, won the quarter and stretched the final margin to 71 points – 15.23 (113) to 6.6 (42) and a fitting way to celebrate Fanman’s 150th as he was chaired from the ground by BB and Cas – who have both played their 100th game for La Trobe this season.

La Trobe’s best were Turtle, Bull, BB, Walshy, Adro, and The Milestone Fanman – with Coach Andy Castles playing a ripper but reluctant to name himself in the best players!