JAMES HIRD to Launch Season 2008
"In the 150th year of Australian Rules football, join us in launching the 2008 season"

The OMFC All Stars have finsihed the Club XVIII (1) Season 2nd on the ladder with an 11-3-1 record.

After falling short against Old Xavs (Crocs) in the 2nd Semi last Sunday we now face PRAHRAN in the PRELIM Final 2pm THIS SUNDAY at Elsternwick Park

OMFC Legends (proudly sponsored by Mitch Dowd) vs Old Scotch

Responses have been overwhelming for the game on Saturday 5th April!! Considering the fitness of those confirmed we need lots more players. I'm missing loads of email addresses, so can you please forward onto anyone you think would be interested.

We now have a 200 game AFL player confirmed as coach; Andrew "Mini" Thompson.

We will be holding a training session (kick to kick) on Wednesday 2nd April from 6pm. Details to follow.

List of confirmed players    + more

Under 19's Update

We have had 34 boys (from an original list of 51) attend training with an average of 21 per Monday and Wed night. I am projecting another 3 boys on top of the 34 who have trained already to play under 19 Football this year bringing it to 37 players in total. I was hopeful that we may enter another side but it appears we don’t have the numbers at this stage. Training has been conducted over 3 nights with the Senior teams since Mid January and I have been impressed with the attendance and enthusiasm of the Under 19 boys but more importantly the way they have all gone about their training which at times has been very intense. I am very confidant that our fitness levels will be at the right levels when we start the season proper which augers well for a good year. In saying this I am pleased to announce our support staff for Season 2008. Assistant Coach: Simon Walsh – Simon has played over 190 senior games of Amateur football with a number of clubs namely St Bernard’s, Old Melbournians and North Old Boys. He has a wealth of experience and will be an excellent mentor to the boys in many other ways. Team Manager: Michael Stubbe – Michael has been most generous to give up his time to support the boys on game day. Michael also has an abundance of experience in this capacity as he has managed a number of successful junior teams in the past. Runner: Mike Holland – Mike will be an invaluable asset on game day to both Simon and I with his first hand knowledge of the boys. He has the respect of all his mates and I look forward to working with him closely.

It is also my intention to have a trainer attend all matches to ensure the boys are fully supported on game days. Further to this all home games will be played at the Junction Oval and not oval number 1 as in the past. Please note that we may play some night games on a Friday – watch this space. I am also keen to set up an Under 19 sub committee (made up of parents). Its main purpose is to be a resource for the Under 19’s as well as a social committee for both the parents and players to help all to embrace the club further. This will happen over the next few weeks and I am sure this will have long term benefits for those involved. I welcome any interest at this stage from parents who wish to be apart of the committee. My contact details fdunell@blitztelecom.com.au or 0434-430916 On the matter of key dates over the next 6 weeks: The following has been confirmed: 15th of March – 16th of March: Camp @ Phillip Island 18th of March: MGS at Flack Park 29th of March: Ajax at Sandringham 2nd of April: Season launch at Powerhouse Function Centre (James Hird guest speaker) 5th of April: Old Scotch at Camberwell 12th of April: First match (pre season draw available early March) More detail will be provided as we approach the specific event and if by any chance the above details change in anyway we will inform you. Look forward to seeing you all throughout the year. Kind Regards Frank Dunell Under 19 Coach

OM’S CONFIRM COACHING PANEL FOR 2008

“Frank Dunell to join Russell Morris in powerful combination”

The Committee of the OMFC are delighted to announce the appointment of Essendon Premiership player Frank Dunell as coach of the Under 19’s for season 2008.

Frank has an outstanding football pedigree as an AFL player, and has coached in the VAFA both at club level and more recently under 23 representative level.

With a son in year 12 at Melbourne Grammar School in 2007, his appointment brings not only a wealth of football experience, but a ready made relationship with MGS boys making the transition to the Amateurs for the first time.

An information evening for year 12 school leavers will be held on October 16, as recruiting for 2008 begins in earnest!


Senior Coach Re-appointed for 2008

Dunell joins Russell Morris, who as senior coach will be looking to build on the excitement and momentum created with the last round win over Ajax to stay in B Grade for 2008.

Russell and the new committee will be working throughout the off season to capitalise on the momentum, and build a strong OM’s outfit in 2008.

2007 Club Awards

Congratulations to Hamish Turner for taking out the Senior B&F as well Best Clubman for 2007.

For all the award winners please see the 2007 Season Review.


L-R: Josh Russo (42 Votes), Sam Playfair (61 Votes), Hamish Turner (66 Votes)

Congratulations to the following players who made their respective sections Team Of The Year!

Seniors
    Sam Playfair

All Stars
     Rob Lawler, Tom Schofield, Stu Wettenhall and Ameet Bains
     David Landrigan ( joint Coach of the Year ).

Under 19's
    Paul Kruger

What a great way to finish the season. A huge crowd, a close game, high stakes and the boys showed enormous character to not only avoid relegation but to finish equal fifth on points, seventh on percentage. Congratulations to all players and coaches.

A very satisfying win and an important day in the Club's history.

Let's build on this for the future.

Round 18 -  Saturday 1st September 2007  -  Junction Oval
	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4
OLD MELBURNIANS	3.3.21	6.8.44	9.14.68	13.19.97
def
AJAX	5.3.33	8.8.56	10.12.72	13.17.95
Goal Kickers: C. Righetti 3, R. Matthews 3, M. Kennon 2, N. Morrison, T. Paule, W. Panton, J. Russo, J. Miller
Best Players: T. Paule, C. Righetti, N. Lawler, N. Russell, A. Prowse, C. Wilmoth.

To All Old Melburnians. 2007 was certainly a learning curve for me, in that, venturing into a senior coaching role for the first time "in the Ammo's" you must go in with eyes wide open. The journey from the first introduction to the group at PA's in early October right through to the late night celebrations at some pub in St Kilda observing the boys celebrate akin to a premiership win was certainly an enlightening experience. Please allow me to indulge and recap the journey... Pre-season challenged us with the drought forcing us to jump from the Domain to Fawkner Park to the Tan and even a secret mission onto Gosch's paddock for an early morning scratch match - unsettling to say the least. Not knowing the boys was an advantage as everyone started on an even keel and no preconceived ideas were there to blur my footy vision. The biggest challenge was not being able to measure the pre-season performance of the group against anything I had experienced. I therefore thank my assistants in Mick L, Mick C and Beauy for providing some foresight into what to, and what not to, expect. Interesting enough they were also able to provide me with a basic evaluation of all the players at hand. After a couple of little speed humps - some minor discipline and culture issues - I was starting to believe we had something positive ahead - but how quickly that was snuffed out - De La at Moorabbin - a game that certainly opened my eyes - we had some work to do (to say the least). Our second venture down to Apollo Bay provide some more faith, but the opposition were fat and ran out of steam in the second half - with the more interesting performances in the pub later in the evening. An experience that further reinforced my decision not to socialise with the players during the year - that was one I definitely got right. St Kevin's on Oval number 1 provided more confidence we were on the right track - but we all know - praccy matches mean nothing. Round One v St Kevin's provided an immediate rematch - a game that blew us all away with a resounding 12 goal thumping of the team currently playing finals this week. Backed up by another thumping of OMHS the following week I think I got ahead of myself. Well, what a difference one week of footy makes - OM's v Essendon - Miller Knee, Kennon bad corky, Morrison stress facture, Wilson Facelift, Hawkins thigh, Wright Jenny Craig, Berry Back...the list went on, and on, and on... The following 10 or so weeks were very challenging to the group and, we, the coaching staff, had to lead the way and maintain the faith and belief. Under difficult circumstances we at last saw some leaders arise out of the ashes - players started to rally and began introducing behaviours that were very much needed if we were to save a season that was fast going off the rails. Credit must go to Beauy who managed to convince me that we had to flog the living suit case out of the boys - they needed some home truths - and to Beauy's credit he pushed them through it over a very important month.

It was no coincidence we beat Caulfield, Marcellin (should have beaten SKOB's) and Beaumaris. That was the month that saved the club in B-Grade. The final game v Ajax - well what can I say? The preparation and commitment of the group could not be questioned. With Millsy and Willo on one leg, losing Mitch and Hamish before half time - the script was written for us. In fact the script was written for a number of individuals... Tom Paule - a performance that will endear him to the OM's for a long time - well done and thank you. Chris Righetti - a last quarter reserved for a final - a hanger and goal, a 70m snap from the boundary and a tight one on the run - three goals to assist in winning the game will go down in folk lore at the OM's forever. Other highlights include - Shep's run down and tackle on the wing - resulting in a Tom Paule goal, Prowse's touched point from an AJAX set shot - what a pressure relief, Russdog's run and attack off half back to set up our last quarter attacks, Playfair's coolness under pressure and Kielly's doggedness and toughness around the ground. It is difficult when highlighting individuals as I wish not to miss anyone. Although it is important to note the courage shown by Hamish and Dicko to play the majority of the season with chronic OP was not to be under-estimated - this did not go unnoticed. Also congratulations must go to Sammy Playfair as he was the only one to play every game of the year - and what a year it was - well done Sam. I am very proud of the way the way all players embraced me as an outsider, but more importantly allowed me to become part of their footy lives and allowed me to assist them in becoming not only better footballers, but a better bunch of blokes. They way they dealt with the harsh reality of "those 10 weeks" and responded later in the season to basically save their own season and refuse to accept the prospect of a future in C-grade is a credit to them. Later on down the track they will benefit from such a steely resolve. Well done guys - you deserve the right to celebrate. Thank you. Fly

Check out all the 2007 Season Reviews

A thriller at the Junction Oval sees OMFC get over AJAX by 2 points to stay in B Grade. In the reserves Marcellin pulled out a 6 point win in a low-scoring affair against the ladder leaders St Bedes/Mentone to deny the OM's a spot in the finals. Team W L D % Pos   Seniors 7 11 0 89.23 7th SEASON REVIEW & RESULTS Reserves 11 7 0 127.64 5th SEASON REVIEW & RESULTS U/19's 9 9 0 88.16 6th SEASON REVIEW & RESULTS All Stars 11 3 1 161.6 2nd SEASON REVIEW & RESULTS