Category: News

Oscar’s emphatic return

Oscar Sasalu makes impressive comeback following scary concussion

Written by Jarryd Barca

Oscar Sasalu’s Round 5 NAB League performance turned plenty of heads; not only was it an influential output from the Calder ruckman but he was involved in a sickening concussion just one round earlier. 

It was five minutes into the Cannons’ away match against Tasmania in Round 4 when the 192cm utility was knocked out in a friendly-fire marking contest, resulting in a seizure and leaving the squeamish distressed. 

The Easter bye week separated the two rounds with doctors giving him the green light to compete against the Geelong Falcons. 

Sasalu’s availability proved critical and his return to the field was admirable, being named in the best players. 

“I don’t really remember anything from the concussion, so I thought I’d try not to let it bother me when I played today,” Sasalu said following the Cannons’ drought-breaking win on the weekend.

“I just didn’t think about it at all because there’s nothing you can do to stop yourself getting concussed, it’s an accident so just play how you usually play. 

“The recovery was alright, I just had a headache for a couple of days.”

Sasalu recorded 13 touches, 17 hit-outs, two tackles and kicked a crucial final-quarter goal when it was just a one-point ball game. 

“That’s the best game I’ve seen him play by a long way,” midfield coach Brett Gourley said. 

“To come back from what happened to Oscar down in Tassie is tough in itself but to come back and play the way that he did today I thought was just exceptional.

“He was influential in the ruck, went forward and made an impact as well and got to a lot of marking contests as well so we were really pleased with the comeback from Oscar.”

It was the first time in five years the Cannons defeated the Falcons in the Under 18 boys competition.

Geelong’s winning streak against Calder looked to be continuing when they booted the only two goals of the first term.

But the breakthrough victory came in the form of a hard-fought see-sawing contest at a windy Highgate Recreation Reserve, with the home team scraping through with a 8.11 to 8.4 win – the fourth time in five matches the Cannons have registered more behinds than goals.

“Inaccuracy has come back to haunt us a few times this year but we were lucky enough to have a few opportunities going forward and I guess it didn’t impact the result in the end,” Gourley said.

“We were off to a pretty slow start once again and I thought we let ourselves down just after half time as well. 

“It was nice to get the win but we just need to start putting together four quarters of consistent football a bit more.” 

Steering things back on track for their second win of the season was a big highlight from the weekend according to Gourley, but no matter the result it’s the connection between the current group of players that stands out the most.

“It’s really good to see them always sane and always positive – they work really hard,” he said. 

“I think the close wins always bond the group and if you can manage a few of those you can sort of see how tight it does make the group, so the boys were ecstatic with the win today and you could see it on their faces when they came off. We’re really pleased.” 

Calder’s four unanswered goals in the second quarter was responded by Geelong who all but levelled the contest to 40-39 at three-quarter time. 

Gourley said the coaches’ message at the break was to keep things simple and go back to the basics. 

“If we continued to apply enough pressure then the opportunities would come going forward so it was nothing different, but it was just continue to be consistent with our application and effort.”

Cannons break Falcons hoodoo 

Calder Cannons defeat Geelong Falcons for first time since 2014

Written by Jarryd Barca 

The Calder Cannons Under 18 boys snapped a five-year losing streak on the weekend after surviving a seven-point thriller against the Geelong Falcons at Highgate Recreation Reserve.

A win was crucial for Calder in the Round 5 NAB League contest who had lost three of its first four matches of the season and was coming off a dour loss against Tasmania before the Easter bye weekend.

The last time the Cannons were victorious against the Falcons was the 36-point win in Round 7, 2014 in the then-called TAC Cup.  

But the tables have now turned with Calder edging past its opponent and recording an 8.11 (59) to 8.4 (52) win on home soil. 

Calder was inspirationally led by captain Brodie Newman, whose 36-possession, 17-mark and seven-rebound 50 game steered the side to its second 2019 victory. 

Daniel Mott (29 touches) and Sam Ramsay (27) were the best of the midfielders and thrived on the output of ruckmen Oscar Sasalu and first-gamer Josh Hotchkin. 

Cannons small Ned Gentile also wore the number 27 VCMG guernsey with pride in a 21-disposal, three-goal outing. 

In a game full of momentum swings, a case of ‘same old’ was looming after again being slow out of the blocks and coughing up the first two goals of the match. 

But Geelong’s 12-point quarter-time margin was short-lived as the home side began to turn up the heat.

The Cannons’ efforts to dominate the territory battle in the second quarter went off without a hitch, but errant kicking at the goal face meant the home side put through five behinds before registering a goal.

Jacob Martin broke the dam wall after converting a set shot 14 minutes into the second term, before three majors in the next five minutes of the game saw the Cannons establish a handy 17-point half-time margin. 

The Cannons appeared to be well on the way to recording their second win of the season and shutting the curtains on a five-year losing streak against the Falcons, but the away team burst out of the blocks in the premiership quarter to ensure the fans a nail-biting finish.

Geelong rattled on the opening four goals of the windy third term and sent the challenge back on the home side after taking a one-goal lead.

Gentile put the home side’s nose in front with a goal against the run of play and with scores locked at 40-39 at the change of ends a tug-of-war contest was awaiting.

The 17-year-old Gentile emerged as the potential match-winner when he snapped his third goal of the game to kick off proceedings 40 seconds into the final stanza, taking the game by the scruff of the neck. 

From there it was goal for goal in an enthralling quarter, with Martin and Sasalu both saluting to add to the drought-breaking result.  

The boys will now regroup and look to win its first back-to-back game of the season when they host the Bendigo Pioneers in another double-header this Saturday. 

Girls show grit in costly loss

Written by Jarryd Barca

The Calder Cannons Under 18 girls have taken a tumble in the 2019 NAB League finals race after falling to the Geelong Falcons by 14 points in Round 7. 

The Calder Cannons Under 18 girls have taken a tumble in the 2019 NAB League finals race after falling to the Geelong Falcons by 14 points in Round 7. 

The undefeated Falcons took a 20-point lead into half time and cemented themselves top spot with two matches remaining.

The 3.2 (20) to 1.0 (6) result at Highgate Recreation Reserve was Calder’s second loss in as many matches after a 4-1 start and puts a dint in their finals hunt, now sitting fifth on the ladder. 

Bu the season isn’t over for the now 4-3 Cannons. 

“We’re good enough, we’ve lost by a total aggregate of 28 points this season and I believe that we are capable of playing finals,” female talent coordinator Russell Humphrey said. 

“We knew it was going to be a tough game against an undefeated side and they outplayed us in the first half. 

“We fell down at half forward all day – just didn’t compete very well. 

“The ball was being rebounded back a lot and we didn’t get it deep enough inside 50, when we did we just couldn’t capitalise.

“Our intensity and endeavour was there all day.” 

Humphrey said the ability to defend the ground all over in the second half was a major positive from the contest, keeping the highly-rated Falcons scoreless in the second half. 

“It was a great defensive effort,” he said. 

“It shows that we’re not far off it. The lessons learned from the game is we need to be a little bit smarter in possession of the footy and have a little bit of composure, because when we did it showed we’re not far off the best team in the competition.” 

Captain Georgia Patrikios was a standout for the home side collecting 31 touches and kicking the sole goal in the final term playing a midfield-forward role.   

“If we win our last two games we’ll give ourselves the best chance of making the finals which is something we’ve been striving towards all season.”

Georgie Prespakis (32) and Alana Barba (22) were the other major ball winners on the day.  

“The players that Paul (coach Paul Tilley) asked to do a job really held their own and stood up tall,” Humphrey said. 

“Girls like Kasey Lennox, Pepper Poultney and Flick (Felicity) Theodore were outstanding in defence.” 

The girls will be leaving no stone unturned heading into the final two rounds of the NAB League season, with the Eastern Ranges and Oakleigh Chargers four and two points ahead of them respectively on the ladder. 

Humphrey said they won’t be relying on other results to go the Cannons’ way.

“We want to finish the year off strongly because of the hard work they’ve all done since November,” he said.

“If we win our last two games we’ll give ourselves the best chance of making the finals which is something we’ve been striving towards all season.”  

Gentile joins path of bravery and sacrifice

Still a privilege six years on

Written by Jarryd Barca 

They say when you’re on the footy field it’s like going to war.

But when former Cannon and Australian soldier Corporal Cameron Baird became the 40th Aussie soldier to die in the Afghan conflict in June, 2013, many Australians – including the Calder Cannons family – suddenly realised what it truly means to be intrepid and courageous. 

Corporal Baird’s devotion to being selfless was an attribute that came naturally to the son of former Carlton footballer Doug Baird. 

The Gladstone Park local was a talented footballer and was given the chance to represent the Calder Cannons in the then TAC Cup – where he was dubbed by many as the next Wayne Carey. 

Baird played alongside AFL champions Paul Chapman, Ryan O’Keefe, Jude Bolton and David Johnson during his time at Calder but was a shock non-selection in the 1999 AFL Draft. 

Instead he joined the army in 2000 where self-sacrifice was an expectation – something he had in spades. 

“I just hope that I can live up to what people wearing the jumper are expected to do.” 

In 2007 he was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for his actions in a search and clearance operation of a Taliban stronghold, while he was also awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia in 2014 – the first ever posthumous recipient. 

The Calder Cannons Football Club has since awarded one player each season with the number 27 VCMG jumper – the number worn by Corporal Baird. 

The player who wears this jumper displays strong acts of selflessness, discipline, teamwork and a willingness to work above and beyond. 

This year Ned Gentile has been given the opportunity to represent the guernsey in all NAB League games this season – presented the jumper by last year’s worthy recipient and 2019 top-ager Tye Browning.  

Corporal Baird passed in defence of his country. His courage knew no bounds.

Neither does Ned’s.

“It’s pretty significant to a lot of people and to the club as a whole. To be presented that on jumper presentation night was pretty special and it’s a privilege to be given the opportunity that I have,” a humble Gentile said.

“I just hope that I can live up to what people wearing the jumper are expected to do.” 

The 17-year-old is enjoying his second year in the Cannons program and has played a crucial role in the opening four rounds of the season, carrying his head-turning form into their recent Round 4 loss against the Tasmania Devils where he collected 20 disposals, took eight marks and laid six tackles. 

Gentile simply plays with a resilient and determined attitude that instills confidence into his teammates and makes them walk taller.

“Wing is my preferred position,” he said.

“This season I’ve played mostly on a wing, (I’ve) gone through the mid a little bit as well and I like to go forward to try and impact on the scoreboard.” 

Ned Gentile (left) presented the number 27 VCMG guernsey by teammate and former recipient Tye Browning at this season’s jumper presentation.

Standing at just 175cm, Gentile said while he doesn’t tune in to watch one specific AFL player, he takes note of multiple when watching the footy who play with similar attributes – “one that is smaller and has to use things other than their size to get an upper hand on their opponent”. 

The Airport West junior has also played a lot of cricket, “but it was always going to be footy”, and now he’s trying to prove his worth in the newly-formed NAB League competition. 

And the end goal?

“Obviously everyone down here wants to get drafted, that’s our main goal. I’ll work as hard as I can to get my name called out at the end of the year,” Gentile said.

“But if it doesn’t happen, (I’ll) keep working at it and go to the next step, but hopefully we can have some success as a team and at the end of the year maybe some individual success as well.”

The young wingman admitted noticing the pressure of performing in Australia’s premier Under 18 competition.

But it doesn’t phase him. 

“I think it’s actually really good, it’s really healthy competition,” Gentile said of every player in the competition striving to be drafted.

“There’s blokes that want to play for each other as well as try to impress scouts for themselves, blokes going out there and you know they’re giving one hundred per cent every week because they want to show what they can do. 

“There is pressure but you just deal with it, you just go along and play the best footy that you can.” 

Gentile said he’s been impressed with the camaraderie between he and his 2019 Cannons teammates, kick-started by a mentally and physically gruelling pre-season camp in Queenscliff. 

“It really brought everyone close together,” he said. “There’s a few less blokes on the list than there were last year and it’s really brought us closer and closer.”

Forget about pre-game rituals, Gentile tends to head into the trainer’s room roughly 10 minutes before the opening bounce of a game, “but that’s just because I get a little bit hyped up sometimes”.

His energetic persona makes him popular amongst the playing group, but it’s Gentile’s desperation and never-say-die on-field attitude that saw him earn one of the greatest honours within the four Calder Cannons walls. 

Listen to Ned’s full interview in our Episode 1 of our podcast below.

Six players make 16s Metro squad

The Calder Cannons Football Club would like to congratulate six of its Under 16 boys players for making the initial Vic Metro squad for 2019.

Noah Candotti (Airport West), Joshua Goater (Sunbury Lions), Jack Hebbard (Aberfeldie), Jack Newitt (Sunbury Lions), Zac Taylor (Pascoe Vale) and Ciaran Wrigglesworth (Pascoe Vale) were all successful in making the squad.

All six players were key contributors in our Under 16s program this year which unfortunately consisted of two losses against the Northern Knights and Oakleigh Chargers – Hebbard named in the best players on both occasions.

The Cannons were beaten at the death in their first contest against the Knights, while Matthew Gook was the only multiple goal scorer in their 48-point loss to the Chargers on Tuesday.

Girls go down in gripping contest

Written by Jarryd Barca

The Calder Cannons NAB League Girls have two teams hot on their heels on the ladder after being overrun by an eager Eastern Ranges side on the weekend. 

The momentum in the four-point thriller ebbed and flowed at Bayswater Oval with the Ranges putting their noses in front with just seconds remaining. 

The 4.5 (29) to 3.7 (25) result means the Cannons remain in third position behind the Geelong Falcons and Northern Knights, with the Bendigo Pioneers and Ranges now breathing down their neck on equal points. 

No team in the Under 18 girls competition has recorded more scoring shots than the Cannons when they’ve met them in the opening six rounds, despite their two losses – inaccuracy the common catalyst in their defeats. 

“They didn’t play too badly at all. We started off well, however we couldn’t convert in front of goal and in the end inaccuracy cost us,” Female Talent Coordinator Russell Humphrey said.

“At times our ball movement was really good but our defensive transition was a bit too slow, giving Eastern the opportunity to score easier than we could at times.” 

Tahlia Gillard’s sole goal in the first quarter was enough to give the Cannons the lead at the first break, but with the scores locked at 0.1 to 1.4 the Ranges remained heavily in the contest. 

Cannons youngster Georgie Prespakis extended the lead with an early goal in the second term, but the Ranges eventually woke from their slumber to boot four of the final five goals of the match and emerge with the four points.

Two of those goals came directly after Prespakis’ major, while one was a standalone six-pointer in the third term which subsequently put the Ranges five points in front at three-quarter time. 

Emelia Yassir all but sealed the deal for Calder when she put her side in front in the final stanza, but a goal to Eastern’s Tess Flintoff with 43 seconds remaining meant the victory was indeed snatched at the jaws of defeat.

“I thought Flick (Felicity) Theodore and (Zoe) Hardiman played really well,” Humphrey lauded.

“Our bottom age players again contributed throughout the whole day and continue to show signs which is very promising, it was really good to see the continual improvement from Kasey Lennox, Neve Crowley and Tahlia Gillard. 

“It was a disappointing loss but it’s not the end of the world at all. We look forward to the game against Geelong on April 28,” he added. 

“It’s going to be a challenge for our girls to come up against a Geelong side that has had a big run of success over the past few seasons. 

“If we play our Cannons brand of football we’ll give Geelong a run for their money.” 

The Futures girls program also finished on Sunday against Eastern, with the girls recording a win-loss ration of 1-2 over the three-week program. 

The girls went down 7.7 (49) to 4.3 (27) but showed major signs of improvement after matches against the GWV Rebels and Oakleigh Chargers as well. 

Alisa Magri kicked two goals in the contest, while Zoe Penno – her first ever goal – and Brooke Byron scored one each. 

“The improvement of the girls over the 13-week program is a credit to the hard work and commitment of both players and coaches,” Humphrey said. 

“Massive thanks go out to the parents for bringing their girls to both training and games.”

Devils too clinical for Cannons

Written by Jarryd Barca 

Tasmania Devils v Calder Cannons – NAB League Round 4

The Calder Cannons fell 12 points short of recording their second win of the 2019 NAB League season in their Round 4 clash against the Tasmania Devils.

The side lost six players due to Vic Metro commitments for their trip down south to Penguin Reserve meaning the depth mould be tested in the 10.3 (63) to 7.9 (51) result. 

A dour first term – where both sides recorded a single behind each – was marred by an unfortunate, scary concussion that hospitalised ruckman Oscar Sasalu. 

Fortunately Oscar was free to fly back home that night. 

Harrison Minton-Connell was the midfield stand-out with 26 disposals and seven tackles in front of a packed crowd, while counterparts Jacob Martin (24 touches) and Ned Gentile (20 and six tackles) proved their worth.

Usual defenders Cody Brand (three goals) and Mason Fletcher (two) played makeshift roles up forward, while defenders Declan Tully, Fergus O’Neill, Max Simpson, Kyle Baker and Sean Callander can all hold their heads high after standing up tall against a dangerous Devils attack.

While the boys got away with goal-kicking inaccuracy in Round 3, they were this time left to rue their missed opportunities after recording three more scoring shots than their opponents. 

“As a team, between our midfielders and forwards, we need better connection between where those forward entries need to go,” Talent Manager Tom Lonergan said.

“At the moment they’re shallow and it’s allowing teams to rebound quickly from the half-back line, we need to get our entries deeper to give the forwards the best chance of scoring.

“Considering we had six players out due to metro commitments we thought our boys’ effort was really good,” he added.

“A few skill errors cost us on the day, as well as not making the most of our opportunities when going forward.”

Brand broke the deadlock more than nine minutes into the second quarter, but the remainder of the term belonged to the home side who, booting the next five majors, constructed a handy 21-point lead at the main break. 

Brand put through his second less than two minutes into a crucial third quarter.

But Devils forward Jackson Callow took the game by the scruff of the neck to boot three of his four goals in a dominant third quarter display.  

The players’ spirits never wavered despite the 25-point deficit heading into the final term.

The four-goal to two quarter reeled the margin back to 12 points but it was too little too late as the Devils were able to record their second win of the season in three matches.

The boys will now enjoy a week off for Easter but will return to face the Geelong Falcons at Highgate Recreation Reserve in Round 5 the following week.

“It’s been a big six or seven weeks for everyone,” Lonergan said.

“A lot of boys played in a lot of practice matches and haven’t really had a break so it will be good for everyone to have a rest after Tuesday to freshen up and come back ready to go against the Falcons.”

The Calder Cannons are now 1-3 and sit 15th on the ladder early in the season. 

U16s team selection – Round 2 Metro Champs v Oakleigh

The Calder Cannons Barry Davis team is in for its Round 2 clash against the Oakleigh Chargers as part of the Metro Champs which kicked off on Tuesday.

The Cannons unfortunately went down by four points to the Northern Knights in a cracking contest at Highgate Recreation Reserve, but will look to come home with a better result at Trevor Barker Oval next Tuesday at 2.15pm.

Selected team:

FB: Warren. Marchione. M Taylor.

HB: Hebbard. Misiti. Martin.

C: Lalor. Dimasi. Whitnall.

HF: Jarvis. Overman. Newitt.

FF: Scott. Gook. Ktona.

R: Owens. Goater. Shoebridge.

I/C: Middleton. Candotti. Selvaggio. Z Taylor. Newman. Andronaco.

EMG: Haste.

Resilience the key in maiden victory

Calder Cannons flex the resilience muscle in NAB League win

Written by Jarryd Barca

The ability to bounce back from – and overcome – adversity is a crucial life quality, even on the footy field. 

Calder Cannons backline coach Brad Murphy admitted there were some nervous moments in the Under 18 boys’ Round 3 win over the Western Jets last Saturday when inaccuracy seemed to plague the side.

Calder was able to establish a healthy lead when it scored seven of the opening nine goals of the contest at Highgate Recreation Reserve, until seven of the next 10 went the Jets’ way.

The Cannons registered seven behinds in their final 10 scoring shots of the game when the four points were well and truly in the balance. 

A 15-point half-time lead to the home side faded to just three points at the last change of ends and it took nearly 17 minutes for the dominant fourth-quarter Cannons to put through a major, courtesy of Campbell Edwardes. 

But luckily they weren’t left to rue their missed chances. 

“I’m very proud,” Murphy said post-game.

“It’s very hard when you get a spray like that from the coach (at three-quarter time).

“I was a little bit concerned at three quarter time when scores were only a few points the difference and they had a bit of a wind in the last quarter. 

“He (coach Ross Smith) challenged them all at three-quarter time to step up and some players can go introverted, or they can come out of their shell a little bit and I think the boys really came out of their shell (in the final quarter).

“We’re absolutely thrilled with the efforts of the players. 

“We had a couple of injuries down so we couldn’t get some rotations happening. Sometimes you just have to play the last quarter on adrenaline and we certainly did, there was a lot of cramping going on but for them to push through and get the result is fantastic.

“I’m very proud and obviously more so going forward, I think it will give them amazing confidence and belief that we can do it no matter the situation in a game.”

It was the team’s first victory in the newly-named NAB League for season 2019 after losing by 109 and 23 points against the Sandringham Dragons and Oakleigh Charges in Rounds 1 and 2 respectively. 

“I think we had to keep it in reality in the first two weeks, we played two of the best sides and we took a lot of confidence probably out of last week more against Oakleigh – we were in front at half time and two points down at three-quarter time against one of the best so we knew our best was going to be good enough,” Murphy said.

“I thought the buy-in and the endeavour from the whole group today was pleasing and the result looked after itself, although we could have kicked a bit straighter, but we had a win.”

Murphy said he was impressed with the entire midfield group against the Jets, as well as youngster Jack Keeping who channeled his inner Jeremy Howe in the final term. 

“To see the emergence of young Jack Keeping who’s had seven or eight touches in the last quarter, taking two big hangers – when the game had to be won for a 17-year-old kid to step up in his first year of Under 18 footy that was really impressive as well, but I just thought the whole group were really good on the day,” he said.

The Cannons will look to make it two wins in a row when they fly south to take on the Tasmanian devils on Sunday. 

“It’ll be good to get away, I think the bonding you get off an interstate trip is fantastic,” Murphy said. 

“If you get a win they’re really great interstate because it doesn’t happen much, so it will be really good for the boys.” 

Cannons outclass Jets for first win of season

Written by Jarryd Barca

The Calder Cannons have finally kicked off their season after overcoming the Western Jets by 12 points in Round 3 of the NAB League Boys season.

There were just three points separating the two sides at three-quarter time of the clash at highgate Recreation Reserve, with Calder peppering away at the goals – although inaccurately – to break away 10.14 (74) to 9.8 (62).

Calder was lead by midfielders Harrison Minton-Connell (26 disposals and one goal), Daniel Mott (24 and two) and Flynn Lakey (20 and one), who were well-served by a combative Oscar Sasalu in the ruck.

Sixteen-year-old Jackson Cardillo and key forward Harrison Jones were key targets up forward, while small Ned Gentile was a live-wire and caused headaches for the Jets defence. 

The Cannons got off to an absolute flyer booting the first three goals of the contest within seven minutes courtesy of Mott, Cardillo and Jack Keeping.

Jets forward Aaron Clarke converted his side’s first major just before the 10-minute mark, before an eight-minute dry patch was expelled by a characteristic Sam Ramsay goal on the run – his third in three matches. 

Things were looking rosy for the Cannons who held a 19-point lead going into the second quarter and the momentum continued as Minton-Connell and Gentile handed the side a 32-point lead.

But the Jets lifted and drew the margin back to 15 points at half time after kicking three goals in succession to end the term.

When Cardillo stepped up to the plate to convert the first goal of the second half it seemed the Cannons would once again establish dominance, but an audacious Western side booted the final three goals of the quarter to put the challenge back onto the home side. 

With Calder’s three-point lead under fire, coach Ross Smith ensured a few of the boys were hot under the collar heading into the final term.

And those that were challenged responded.

In the first 16 minutes of the last quarter just three behinds were registered by the Cannons who dominated the territory battle but to no avail, until youngster Campbell Edwardes broke the deadlock with an easy set shot.

Top-ager Tye Browning, whose 17 disposals and seven inside 50s were crucial on the day, kicked his first and only goal of the game two minutes later and from there the Cannons held on for their first victory of the season. 

Calder will look to continue its winning form into this weekend’s clash against the Tasmanian Devils at Penguin Stadium.