Will tide turn after Tigers triumph, T’s change?

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Nick Armistead – @NickArmistead

The news out of William Buck Premier Men’s over the past week has been the coaching change at Old Trinity as Adam Andrews departed following a seven-year tenure at the helm. Andrews, who has been named VAFA Coach of the Year three times, led the T’s to three senior grand final appearances, is a Life Member of the club and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

Andrews’ departure allows the T’s to commence their search for a new senior coach prior to the conclusion of the 2017 season as they prepare for either a fresh assault on the top section or to try and claim a rebound flag in Premier B depending on these last five rounds. Brendan Iezzi and Luke Pacconi have taken the reins for the remainder of the year, bringing back the captain-coach combination from years gone past. Few players in this competition have earnt respect like Iezzi and Pacconi, and the pair’s leadership both on and off the field assists the T’s quest to avoid relegation.

As it happens, the T’s were unable to hold on against the in-form University Blues over the weekend and went down by 22 points at Uni Oval. They led by five points heading into the final term but were unable to stave off the Blues, who were once again led up forward by Tim Geappen (4) and Kieran Harper (3). Jeremy Taylor’s red-hot form off the back flank continued and he was named best afield, combining flawlessly with the elite disposal efficiency of fellow playmaker Piers Flanagan. The top tier talent at the Blues is elite, perhaps not as elite as St Kevin’s, but elite nonetheless. Ross Young, Pete Summers, Jeremy Mugavin, Marshall Rippon are well-known talents. The improvement of Ryan Eade and George Cameron has been exponential and with Harper, Geappen, Taylor, the Hinkley’s, Tom Quinn, Connor Lappin, Hugh Vickers-Willis and Will Cuningham at each end of the ground, the Blues could cause a lot of damage in September. Pacconi was the best player for the T’s alongside Harry Thompson and Iezzi. Jack Osborn and Andrew Scott kicked two each and combined for the play of the week involving Jordan-esque one-handed control of the ball and a subsequent screamer (more on POTW). The T’s are on the verge of losing Osborn to the bright lights of New York City which will clearly dent their chances of avoiding relegation. His improvement over the past two seasons has been astronomical as he turned himself into a key cog of one of the most dominant midfields in the competition.

St Bedes/Mentone Tigers are primed to avoid relegation after they defeated University Blacks by 23 points, putting a game and a half between themselves and both the Blacks and T’s. The Tigers trailed at every break throughout the day but piled on four unanswered goals in the final term when kicking with the mini hurricane. Josh Cowan starred with three goals from beyond 50m, including two in the second quarter. Conditions weren’t conducive to pretty football but the power and strength of Cowan’s left boot largely eliminated the Brindisi breeze. Joel Ernest led from the front for the second consecutive week for the Blacks and Mitch Carney kicked two early goals. The Blacks have been decimated by injury of late and, with Jordan Quaile out for the remainder of the season, welcomed back Angus Locke for the first time in over two months. Alastair Robbins, Nick Batten, Simon Hogan, Tyrone Bean and James Toohey are just some of the names the Blacks will hope to see return in coming weeks as they battle the T’s for eighth spot on the ladder.

Beaumaris went agonisingly close to their first win of 2017 as they lost to Old Xaverians by 20 points at Banksia Reserve. The Sharks led by 22 points at three quarter time but met the full force of the Xavs in the fourth as they piled on nine goals to two. There was a sense of déjà vu for the Sharks after they pushed the Xavs in Round 7, leading by 22 points at the half but being overrun at Toorak Park. Tom Anderson and Tom Williams starred for a Xavs outfit debuting Sydney Swans premiership defender Ted Richards. On the other hand, former Saint Raph Clarke made his return to the Sharks and kicked three goals in a standout performance. The win was vital to the Xavs’ finals chances and puts them back within two points of De La Salle in fourth. They have four winnable games in front of them against the Tigers, OM’s, Trinity and Blacks, so we should all prepare for an enthralling end to the home and away season. The Sharks are still three games behind the Blacks and T’s and with just five games remaining will find it difficult to remain in William Buck Premier next year. However, they do face off with Trinity, Blacks and the Tigers in the final few games so a win could be imminent.

St Kevin’s proved far too strong for De La Salle at TH King Oval and out 67-point winners. Leading by 27 at half time, SKOB piled on another nine goals to three as they showcased their talent and De La failed to live up to theirs. Mitch Brown kicked three goals and was best afield, with two of his majors due to being left alone at stoppages. Anthony Lynch’s ruck work is a thing of beauty this year and his ability to outwrestle any opponent is second-to-none, while Nick Wood returned to the Woodrow-leading form he was producing prior to injury earlier this year. Sam Williams continued his outstanding form for De La and Jacob Gotch is playing as well as he has all year. Rebound speed, one of the strongest facets of De La’s game, was lacking due to Jake Williams’ continued absence and the fact Jason Tutt was also out. De La should bounce back over the next two weeks against Blacks and Trinity before a tough run home against three top six teams.

Seven goals to two in the final term helped Collegians to a 19-point win against Old Melburnians at Sportscover Arena. The Lions returned to their best football against the Sharks last week which held them in good stead against a tough OM’s unit and strong Elsternwick wind. Kalem Post and Sam Hibbins starred, while Billy Riddle kicked three and made it 20 for the season. Riddle has taken his game to a new level and consistency up forward and kicked goals in all but two games; including, multiples on eight occasions. The Lions should secure a top two spot by season’s end, with their match against the Blues this weekend a near shoe-in given the Blues’ poor record at the Trott. Sam Peacock and George Hurley-Wellington shone for the Redlegs as they took it up to the Lions for three quarters. Having fallen back into sixth spot on the ladder, the OM’s will need to claim four wins on the run home to have any chance of finals, with match-ups against St Kevin’s, Old Xaverians and De La Salle increasing the difficulty.

Photo © Ari Hatzis