LATEST NEWSTAC Cup: Geelong father-son prospect Baxter Mensch a bolt from the blue
Lachie Young, Geelong Advertiser May 11, 2018 IT takes all players different amounts of time to find their feet in the TAC Cup, and Geelong Falcons midfielder Baxter Mensch is no exception. Like Sam Simpson two years ago, Mensch is seen as a late developer, but if he replicates some of his performances from recent weeks, it could easily see him leapfrog a host of potential draftees in the pecking order. Having started the year as a small forward, he found the going a little tough in the opening two rounds of the season as his team struggled to find ways to kick a winning score. But Mensch knew if he was given the chance to move into the middle of the ground, things could turn around. After averaging 12 possessions in the first two games, he has since amassed tallies of 23, 34 and 35 disposals in consecutive matches, catching the eye of several recruiters at AFL level. As was the case with Simpson, Mensch is the son of a former Geelong player: David Mensch, who played 158 games for the Cats and kicked 173 goals as a key forward. Geelong Falcon Baxter Mensch with dad, former Geelong player David Mensch. Picture: Peter Ristevski He admitted he was still finding his feet in the elite junior competition, but said he was grateful for the opportunity to showcase his true value to the team as a gut-running midfielder. “I’m still getting used to TAC Cup footy because I only had a couple of games last year,” Mensch said. “I’ve had a bit of time in the midfield so far but I’m just happy to be getting a gig in there and getting my hands on the ball. “I’m loving the opportunity and the experience. I was playing more forward at the start of the year but now that I’m in the midfield it’s good, that’s where I see myself playing. “The coaches are very happy with how I’m playing my role, so if they’re happy I’m happy, and getting some wins on the board is good.” Keen observers describe Mensch as an accumulator of the footy — a hard and tough on baller in the mould of Fremantle’s Lachie Neale. At 177cm he is significantly shorter than his father, but his capacity to get his hands on the ball and dish it out to teammates — he has had 48 handballs in his past two games — speaks volumes about his appetite for the contest. David, who retired at the end of 2002 after playing in Geelong’s VFL premiership, says the upside to his son is what is most exciting. “He played a couple of games last year as a bottom-ager and got a little taste of it but he had a really solid pre-season this year,” David said. “They started him off a forward flank but he has worked his way into the midfield and that is where he played all his juniors. “He hasn’t had a problem getting his hands on the ball but it just took him a few games to get the tempo and a bit of a feel for it. Now he knows he can play this level and play well at this level he is just getting better every game, which is exciting. “There is a lot of upside to him, I still think he has got a lot of improvement, but he is playing his role and the coaches are happy with him, and just having that confidence to play at this level now, he is really loving it and that is the main thing.” The games tally of Mensch senior gives the Cats first crack at picking Baxter if they see potential in him to improve even further beyond this season. Geelong recruiting guru and list manager Stephen Wells has seen the progress the St Joseph’s College student has made and said like all potential father-son prospects he was certainly on the club’s radar. “It’s great to see Baxter’s football is improving in the Falcons program and we’ll continue to monitor him over the rest of the year,” Wells said. “We saw him play for the Falcons under-16s and we’ve been following him for quite a while but it is great to see that he is showing good form for the Falcons this year. “Hopefully he gets an opportunity to play for the Vic Country team but if he doesn’t, just to continue to improve with the Geelong Falcons.” The 17-year-old, who is keen to try to emulate the styles of similar players to him at AFL level, missed the initial Vic Country squad but said it was on his radar as his next goal to reach. “I try to model my game off Steven Cognilio and Tom Mitchell and try to get a bit more of the contested ball than I used to. I was kind of an outside player but I’m more inside now and in the middle of it,” he said. “There is definitely a determination to get into that squad if I can but I’ve just got to keep that consistency up in the games ahead. “I’ve just got to keep playing my structures well and playing my role, and keep getting my hands on the ball.” |
RESULTSROUND 7 – Wednesday 6 June
SJC Geelong 6.11 (47) def by Parade Bundoora 10.5 (65) SJC Geelong 1.3 4.5 5.8 6.11.47 Parade 1.3 5.3 8.3 10.5.65 GOALS: Brayden Maurer 3, Izaak De Agrela 1, Sheldon Ham 1, Ben Jaska 1 BEST: Izaak De Agrela, Angus Humphrey, Lachlan Handley, Josh Sorgiovanni, Tanner Sadler, Charlie Walter At Parade College Oval ROUND 6 – Wednesday 30 May – Reconciliation Trophy SJC Geelong 7.7 (49) def by St Bernard’s Essendon 11.6 (72) SJC Geelong 1.3 4.4 6.7 7.7.49 St Bernard’s 3.2 3.3 7.4 11.6.72 GOALS: Brayden Maurer 2, Will Tamassy 1, Izaak De Agrela 1, Lachy Peck 1, Charlie Harris 1, Jack Henderson 1 BEST: Lachlan Handley (Reconciliation Medal), Jay Dahlhaus, Josh Sorgiovanni, Angus Humphrey, Hayden Spiller, Jack Grigsby At Geelong West Oval ROUND 5 – Wednesday 23 May SJC Geelong 7.3 (43) def by Mazenod Mulgrave 12.9 (79) SJC Geelong 1.2 2.3 5.3 7.3.45 Mazenod 4.2 9.4 11.4 12.9.79 GOALS: Charlie Walter 3, Sam Bourke 1, Tanner Sadler 1, Brad Edwards 1, Jaxon Bruhn 1 BEST: Jack Grigsby, Tanner Sadler, Charlie Walter, Colm O’Connor, Izaak De Agrela At Mazenod College Oval ROUND 4 – Wednesday 16th May SJC Geelong 8.6 (54) def Whitefriars Donvale 6.9 (45) SJC Geelong 1.1 2.3 4.3 8.6.54 Whitefriars 1.3 3.6 4.9 6.9.45 GOALS: Brayden Maurer 2, Sam Bourke 1, Louis Clifton 1, Brad Edwards 1, Josh Sorgiovanni 1, Jacsen Jewell 1, Jay Dahlhaus 1 BEST: Izaak De Agrela, Will Tamassy, Gus Humphrey, Josh Sorgiovanni, Jacsen Jewell, Ben Jaska At Elderslie Reserve Newtown ROUND 3 – Wednesday 9th May SJC Geelong 10.4 (64) def St Bede’s Mentone 7.15 (57) SJC Geelong 0.2 2.3 4.3 10.4.64 St Bede’s 2.6 4.8 6.12 7.15.57 GOALS: Brayden Maurer 3, Josh Sorgiovanni 3, Nathan Mifsud 1, Ben Jaska 1, Sheldon Ham 1, Fletcher Wilson 1 BEST: Angus Humphrey, Doyle Madigan, Josh Sorgiovanni, Charlie Harris, Sheldon Ham, Baxter Mensch At Highett Reserve, Highett ROUND 2 – Wednesday 2nd May SJC Geelong 10.9 (69) def St Joseph’s Ferntree Gully 4.6 (30) SJC Geelong 5.3 6.4 7.7 10.9.69 SJC FTG 1.0 3.2 4.3 4.6.30 GOALS: Brayden Maurer 2, Jackson Paatsch 2, Brad Edwards 2, Nathan Mifsud 1, Jacsen Jewell 1, Will Tamassy 1, Max Hardwick 1 BEST: Will Batson, Angus Humphrey, Lachlan Handley, Colm O’Connor, Jay Dahlhaus, Izaak De Agrela At Wally Tew Reserve, Ferntree Gully ROUND 1 – Wednesday 18th April SJC Geelong 9.14 (68) def De La Salle Mavern 1.5 (11) SJC Geelong 2.3 5.5 8.9 9.14.68 De La Salle 0.3 1.3 1.3 1.5.11 GOALS: Fletcher Wilson 2, Lachy Peck 2, Sam Bourke 1, Sam Torpy 1, Jay Dahlhaus 1, Jaxon Bruhn 1, Max Hardwick 1 BEST: Colm O’Connor, Sam Walsh, Jesse Clark, Lachlan Handley, Doyle Madigan, Charlie Harris At Elderslie Reserve Newtown Thursday 26th April SJC Geelong 9.8 (62) def CBC Fremantle 5.5 (35) SJC Geelong 1.1 2.2 6.5 9.8.62 CBC Fremantle 1.2 3.4 4.5 5.5.35 GOALS: Brad Jepson 3, Ollie Hanneysee 1, Nathan Mifsud 1, Hugh Nelson 1, Jude Henderson-Burch 1, Izaak De Agrela 1, Tom Zampatti 1 BEST: Izaak De Agrela (Sam Menengola Medal), Ben Jaska, Brad Jepson, Charlie Walter, Oliver Lewry, Tom Zampatti @ Kardinia Park West – St Mary’s LADDER |
MATCH REPORT & HIGHTLIGHTS
Round 4 v whitefriarsROUND 4 – Wednesday 16th May
SJC Geelong 8.6 (54) def Whitefriars Donvale 6.9 (45) SJC Geelong 1.1 2.3 4.3 8.6.54 Whitefriars 1.3 3.6 4.9 6.9.45 GOALS: Brayden Maurer 2, Sam Bourke 1, Louis Clifton 1, Brad Edwards 1, Josh Sorgiovanni 1, Jacsen Jewell 1, Jay Dahlhaus 1 BEST: Izaak De Agrela, Will Tamassy, Gus Humphrey, Josh Sorgiovanni, Jacsen Jewell, Ben Jaska At Elderslie Reserve Newtown round 2 v sjc ftgROUND 2 – Wednesday 2nd May
SJC Geelong 10.9 (69) def St Joseph’s Ferntree Gully 4.6 (30) SJC Geelong 5.3 6.4 7.7 10.9.69 SJC FTG 1.0 3.2 4.3 4.6.30 GOALS: Brayden Maurer 2, Jackson Paatsch 2, Brad Edwards 2, Nathan Mifsud 1, Jacsen Jewell 1, Will Tamassy 1, Max Hardwick 1 BEST: Will Batson, Angus Humphrey, Lachlan Handley, Colm O’Connor, Jay Dahlhaus, Izaak De Agrela @ Wally Tew Reserve, Ferntree Gully Round two saw the SJC boys take on St Joseph’s Ferntree Gully. With Year 12 Renewals taking place during the week, we had a team made up of majority Year 11 students. Although we had a pretty average warm up, the boys played strong in the first quarter. Using Will Batson’s run and carry were able to kickfive5 goals to one. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to back up our first quarter only kicking one goal to twos in the second but the goal was a very nice finish off the ground by debutant Brayden Maurer. With the scores sitting at 40-20 at half time, the coaches made a few changes to the team and we were confident we could finish the game off and get the win through being more composed and using our opportunities going forward. Another low scoring quarter ensured and thanks to a few golden fists by Gus Humphrey and running defenders Colm O’Connor and Lachlan Handley, they helped us keep their score to a minimum. Going into the last quarter Ferntree Gully looked to have the momentum but plenty of ‘cheap’ kicks from Nathan Mifsud and a few shrugs of the shoulder by Brad Edwards saw the boys take our opportunities going forward. The Geelong boys were able to focus on the game to then finish them off with the final scores sitting at 69-30. Next week sees the boys on the road again lining up against a strong St Bede’s outfit who knocked us out of the Senior comp last season whilst our Year 10s defeated them in the Grand Final. Max Hardwick Year 12 ROUND 1 V ST BEDE'SROUND 1 – Wednesday 18th April
SJC Geelong 9.14 (68) def De La Salle Mavern 1.5 (11) SJC Geelong 2.3 5.5 8.9 9.14.68 De La Salle 0.3 1.3 1.3 1.5.11 GOALS: Fletcher Wilson 2, Lachy Peck 2, Sam Bourke 1, Sam Torpy 1, Jay Dahlhaus 1, Jaxon Bruhn 1, Max Hardwick 1 BEST: Colm O’Connor, Sam Walsh, Jesse Clark, Lachlan Handley, Doyle Madigan, Charlie Harris @ Elderslie Reserve Newtown Great conditions accompanied the opening round of St Joseph’s 2018 First XVIII campaign on Wednesday 18th April. The boys were keen for a fast start to the year and went into the clash with De La Salle sporting a strong team with some fresh faces and seasoned vets as they looked to take the first W of the year. Lead by skipper Sam Walsh, the boys got off to a steady start showing some quick ball movement and great enthusiasm for the contest in the opening quarter. Everyone wanted to make a mark early on and this was evident as the boys closed out the first with a handy two goal lead heading into the second. The second quarter showed much of the same as Joey’s began to pull ahead with absolutely nothing sneaking past the back six who were brilliant all day with Jesse Clark solid as a rock and Lachie Handley taking intercept marks for fun as well as Colm O’Connor running off half back and breaking the lines routinely. Heading into the half SJC were up 5.5 35 to De La’s 1.3 9. Vibes at the half were positive as new names on the magnets had slotted into the team well and the usuals were stepping up and playing their role for the side. Going into the second half the boys looked to use the launch zone on forward entries ensuring they gave the forwards more of a chance to kick us into a compelling lead. Once again SJC played the game on their own terms using chain handballs, switching the play down back and utilising the great spread that Charlie Harris was creating all day long. No surprises down back as they held their first half form keeping De La to a scoreless quarter whilst the boys jumped ahead to a 48 point lead going into the last. Dominance was shown by the boys from Newtown Hill in the final term of the day as they locked the ball into the forward half for the majority of the final quarter. Unfortunately some of the lads forgot to bring their kicking boots putting up only one major and five behinds in the last as the final result showed SJC 9.14 68 De La Salle 1.5 11. Not much better of a result could have been asked for as the boys looked to have gelled well in the early goings of the year showing great teamwork in getting the win against De La Salle. In conclusion round one can be ticked off as a successful beginning to the year with the boys looking to keep the wins coming for the season ahead. Jack Henderson |
round 3 v st bede'sROUND 3 – Wednesday 9th May
SJC Geelong 10.4 (64) def St Bede’s Mentone 7.15 (57) SJC Geelong 0.2 2.3 4.3 10.4.64 St Bede’s 2.6 4.8 6.12 7.15.57 GOALS: Brayden Maurer 3, Josh Sorgiovanni 3, Nathan Mifsud 1, Ben Jaska 1, Sheldon Ham 1, Fletcher Wilson 1 BEST: Angus Humphrey, Doyle Madigan, Josh Sorgiovanni, Charlie Harris, Sheldon Ham, Baxter Mensch @ Highett Reserve, Highett The boys from Newtown Hill were met with a lengthy bus trip for round three as they looked to put a halt to the hot start of the current in-form side of the ACC competition St Bede’s College Mentone. Energised with some truly top tier tunes on the bus ride up from yours truly, the boys looked to make an impact on the contest early and rid of the commonly discussed bus lag. However, St Bede’s took control as they kicked with the breeze in the first quarter and showed that their hot start to the year was nothing to laugh at. Heading into the first break Joeys only managed to notch up two behinds to go in trailing by 16 points. In the second quarter the boys looked to utilise the breeze and claw back the margin from their slow start. Doyle Madigan showed great determination in the midfield and helped get the ball forward allowing the boys to kick two goals for the quarter, which included a classy snap and a clutch set shot from young gun Josh Sorgiovanni seconds before the half time siren. Even with a quarter against the breeze, St Bede’s were still looking the goods as they remained ahead albeit with some inaccurate goal kicking – 4.8 to 2.3 was the score. Coming out of the break the boys realised that they needed to lift if they were going to have a chance at winning the game. The main focuses for the second half were tightening up down back and cleaning up our ball movement by adding some poise and composure. A tough third quarter against the wind saw the boys work hard with Charlie Harris relishing some well-deserved midfield minutes. Some more wayward kicking from St Bede’s had kept the Joey’s boys in the game heading into the final break as the scores read SJC 4.3.27 to St. Bede’s 6.12.48. With a giant task ahead of them, the boys walked out to their positions in the fourth quarter willing to put it all on the line to keep the undefeated streak intact. A stellar performance from Angus Humphrey all day continued in the last as he was the general down back taking intercept marks and giving his man absolutely donuts. Sheldon Ham was back to his usual tricks creating great run on the outside and playing a pivotal role in getting the ball forward. Complementing the revived play on at all costs ball movement was Baxter Mensch looking dangerous as he was moved forward after accumulating touches all day in the middle. In what gives me goose-bumps even now writing about it, the Boys from Newtown Hill kicked six goals to one in the last quarter with three coming off the boot of Year 11 Brayden Maurer to leave the scoreboard reading SJC 10.4.64 St. Bede’s 7.15.57. The boys showed great heart and determination to come back from what looked like an inevitable defeat displaying the proud culture of St Joseph’s football by never giving up and the willingness to succeed. A great win against an in-form and strong side saw some great vibes on the trip back home and puts the boys in good stead going into round four of the ACC football which will see SJC face Whitefriars on our home deck in Newtown. Jack Henderson Year 12 FRIENDLY v CBC FremantleThursday 26th April
SJC Geelong 9.8 (62) def CBC Fremantle 5.5 (35) SJC Geelong 1.1 2.2 6.5 9.8.62 CBC Fremantle 1.2 3.4 4.5 5.5.35 GOALS: Brad Jepson 3, Ollie Hanneysee 1, Nathan Mifsud 1, Hugh Nelson 1, Jude Henderson-Burch 1, Izaak De Agrela 1, Tom Zampatti 1 BEST: Izaak De Agrela (Sam Menengola Medal), Ben Jaska, Brad Jepson, Charlie Walter, Oliver Lewry, Tom Zampatti @ Kardinia Park West – St Mary’s The 2 o’clock start at St Mary’s against CBC Fremantle started off with a lightning quick goal by Joeys within the first 20 seconds of the game with De Agrela and Mifsud connecting with a clearance and set shot on goal. It was a promising start for the boys as we looked to keep on top. Although Joeys held the lead for most of the game it was a tightly contested battle throughout, with Joeys surging out of the halftime huddle gaining a bit of a lead on the scoreboard. To finish the last quarter Joeys started to show some class with Hugh Nelson launching a huge torp from outside 50 to get the boys up and about as we finished off the game strongly finishing with a 27-point win. Throughout the match Ben Jaska played a vital role off half back, breaking lines and driving the ball into our forward 50 whilst Tom Zampatti showed a solid performance leading up at the ball and taking a few big marks. It was a good hit out all round by the boys and look to keep the momentum rolling each and every week. Will Tamassy Year 12 |