Posted 6 September 2024
The Big St Vs were courageous in the annual MRI Footy Tournament in clashes against WEHI and Peter Mac at Royal Park. Fuelled by lolly snakes and sausages, our ferocious team took to the field to prove their mettle. It was lab head v post doc, geneticists v immunologists, bioinformaticians v pharmacologists with all sorts of match ups. Given so much PhD muscle, concussion protocols were in place.
SVI lost by two points with the WEHI kicking a goal with the final kick of the game.
Coach Michael Sharp said this was without a doubt the best game SVI have played in the three years we have been in the competition.
“We had many players step up to the plate with plenty of run from Jack Murphy and Emmanuel Murphy, while Kelli Schleibs took control of the midfield. Maddy Comford kicked things off with the first goal of the game, in which we had control of until three-quarter time,” Michael said.
At the final change SVI led by about 15 points. SVI had to try and hold on to this lead playing against a very strong breeze. Unfortunately, the WEHI pipped SVI at the post, kicking a goal on the siren to win.
“Peter Mac had many players that had played football outside of this tournament, and it showed. Their fitness and skill level were a level above us and the WEHI. We lost this game comfortably, so comfortably that I never checked the score at the end,” said Michael
As this game progressed, fatigue set in for the Big St V’s, with some players succumbing to cramp and minor injury.
“Katherine Woods laid an excellent tackle on one of Peter Mac’s men, Andrea Poblete was roving every contest with her agility and Kelli was taking it right up to the Peter Mac men and was as good as any player on the field,” said Michael.
Starting the day, SVI only had five players who had every played the game outside of this MRI competition. SVI really stepped up to the challenge, got themselves involved and competed well. Ash Ovens took SVI mark of the day.
“Despite the two losses, many new connections were made during lead-up training sessions, on the day, and at the Union Hotel afterwards. It was a real success,” said Michael.