MGS met Scotch at Scotch in Round 1 of the APS season in a game that has recently traditionally been the last game of the season. Accordingly, neither team’s form was known, and with the loss to MGS of Hawkins (Geelong) and Ellis (Hawthorn) (both of whom were there to support MGS), it was unclear how MGS would fare.

The forecast rain held off for the duration of the game, and the MGS contingent was most impressively larger than that of the home side. There was also a good number of Old Melburnians present besides Lurch, including Gabba, Newts, Scotty Kennon, Lace, Hamish Turner, Jenks, Nick Peters, Ed Mitchell and Tom Bennison amongst others.

With two huge losses to Scotch the past two years, it was looking ominous for Grammar with the score being 27-0 during the first quarter. However, the MGS boys dug deep in a great team effort to start putting goals on the board, and at half time the score was 44-40 in Scotch’s favour. The game was largely devoid of highlights. Amongst the standouts for MGS were Al Armstrong and Charlie Shaw (Year 11). They helped MGS take a three point lead, 60-57, during the third quarter, and it seemed almost too good to be true that MGS might win. Unfortunately, this proved true, as Scotch scored quickly to finish the third quarter 76-67.

A shining example of devotion to and pride in MGS and the Dark Blue is Tom Bennison, who was having a kick on the Scotch main oval at three quarter time. The Scotch boys had moved to the Chapel end for the final quarter, and found an MGS banner on the ground behind the goals

Scotch prefects began to stomp on it, and tried to rip it apart. Benno, whose size suggests a final year Wadhurst boy, was infuriated by this disgraceful act, and ran over to rescue it from four Scotch prefects, who were not about to relinquish it, with a thousand jeering Scotch boys behind them. With the situation about to explode, Benno did not back down, and came triumphantly away with the MGS banner, which he returned to its rightful owners, to the jeers of the Scotch boys, and the adulation of his team mates. Benno had taken on Scotch, and won. How can any B Grade VAFA team expect to stop this man?!

During the last quarter, Scotch broke away to win by 21 points. Scotch generally moved the ball more successfully into the forward line, and throughout the game scored with devastating multiple bursts of goals. Scotch seemed slicker than Grammar, and would have won by a greater margin but for the pride and toughness of the MGS boys, who played above themselves, and very nearly came away with a win. As disappointing as the loss was, MGS supporters took heart in the competitiveness of the MGS boys, and should be proud of their efforts. Hopefully it bodes well for the future of MGS footy, and, in turn, OMFC footy.