Men Pen G and Metro

Men Pennant G - Ben Dziekan

Season reviews are strange things.  A fixture at end of year club nights, the season review treads a well-worn path. It is typical to preface any review by starting at the end – and announcing the finishing position of the team and its win/loss record. What follows next is a foreshortened round by round summary, recounting the successes of the season whilst reminiscing about the ones that got away. And what season review would be complete without an analogy or metaphor so stretched and tedious it becomes unbearable.

We have constantly been reminded that 2021 has been “a year like no other”, and it is true that for most if not all of us things have been turned on their proverbial heads this year. It is thus with just a small sprinkle of spite that I provide you, dear reader, with the following - very much conventional - review of the Men’s Pennant G 2021 Season. Without further ado, let’s get started.

First the numbers. 10 matches. 6 wins, 4 losses. 3rd on the ladder. A positive goal difference of 16. 41 players took the field for the Lions this year, not including Hamish Denmead who is listed separately in the online records as a “fill-in”, and for whose services we were very grateful. On reflection, this seems a gratuitous number of players for any season, let alone a truncated one that comprised ten games only. Anyhow. Lindsay Ondracek was the leading goal scorer with 5 great goals whilst Richard Dunn galvanised the team by taking the field more than any other with 9 appearances. It would be a glaring oversight to mention Will Vannan’s generous contribution to the team as the leading card-receiver alongside Ethan Chai. 

Now the round by round. In a somewhat gauche trick, the Lions were guilty of dividing what was effectively a half season into a tale of two halves (or should that be quarters?). The start was glorious, with 5 wins on the trot. Despite this start, the side failed to win TEM Facebook’s team of the week. Galling. What followed was a somewhat gradual decline, the team recording four consecutive (albeit gallant) losses. Prospects of finals, which had previously seemed good, were now grim. And then the first lock-down hit, providing the team with a much-needed chance to galvanise themselves, responding with a gritty win in what would turn out the final game of the season.

Given the premature end of the season, it is tempting to dwell on opportunities lost, and upon what could have been had the season been allowed to reach its natural conclusion (I, for one, believe the team had a genuine opportunity to deliver a premiership). In doing this, however, one would be guilty of overlooking the goals that were achieved by the team throughout the year, both on and off the field. Of these, none stand taller, in my view, than the galvanising of what started as an unruly group of young boys (the average age of the players on field at any one time rarely exceed 18) into a team of gregarious young men, each of whom has a bright future on the hockey field ahead of him. 

Well done team. 

Men Metro - Tony Dudley

I got the call-up for 2 metro games this year so happy to offer my observations!

Going through the stats, TEM Metro men finished 4th on the ladder with 6 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses.

Most games played: Andrew Hammet, Todd Robinson, Brendan Wilson, Stuart MacPhie, Cal Murtagh, Kim White

Top goal scorers: of the regular players, Andrew Hammet (3) and Hayden MacPhie (3) topscored, but ever classy ring-ins Steve Eager (5) and Ben Lord (3) get an honourable mention.

Good to see a healthy injection of junior players and ex juniors making their way to the senior ranks via the metro stomping ground. Well done to Ali Harmon, Sandy Edmondson, Max Clarke, Hayden MacPhie, Keegan Pengilly, Othello Coates, Ben Jackman and Will Vannan, as you progress through the grades I'm sure you'll remember the time you played metro. 

This team made me welcome even though I know my rightful place is Masters 45D and its fair to say I may have struggled to keep up. I found that the Metro boys were inclusive, they worked hard and played well, and they had fun on and off the field. The same goes for all the lower grade teams who trained together on Wednesday nights (where I was also made to feel welcome!). 

Pip and I also had the pleasure of umpiring this team a few times and we both agree TEM Mens Metro are a credit to the club. At all times they demonstrate respect and care for each other, the opposition and the officials - they should be proud that they set such a good example of sportsmanship.

Well done to all players, families and supporters on a fun season. Thanks to Todd Robinson for team managing, to Sam Hill for overseeing the 3 lower sides and generally just working hard all over the club, and Cam MacPhie and others who ran the Wednesday night training sessions.