MEGT U19 Premier: Padbury fills bakery with a dozen snags

By John Donohoe – @jdonohoe12

A seven goal first term set up Old Scotch against a hapless Uni Blacks side, who now look likely for relegation after just one season in the top flight. Scotch has been dogged all year but really made an abrupt statement at home with the 31 goal hammering. They booted 6 in the second term and a further 7 in the third before kicking a mammoth 13 in the final quarter. Padbury was amazing all day, kicking 12 goals in a dominant performance. He and Rennie destroyed Uni Blacks. The win however was a case of too little, too late, with the top 4 set. This was a battle to avoid relegation and Old Scotch passed the test with flying colours. Unfortunately, Blacks weren’t up to it this year and will likely find themselves back in section 2 in 2016. 

St. Bernard’s showed why they are the team to beat in the competition with a convincing 7-goal win over De La Salle at home. A 5 goal to 1 first term set the tone for the Snowdogs and they managed to hold on to the momentum kicking 2 to 1 in the second and 6 to 5 in the third before running away with the 47 point victory. Sibbald continues to be one of the competitions’ best, booting 5, with Tom Madden playing a blinder in the lead up to the finals. Delzoppo continued his stellar run of form this season with another outstanding display. For De La, a tough day but solid performances by Cosgrave and Vawser were positives. De La has had an up and down season but can be proud of what they have produced and will continue to show improvement with 2 rounds to go. 

St. Kevins continued their good recent run of form with an 86 point thrashing of the hitherto impressive Uni Blues. A tight first term saw St. Kevins take the early ascendency leading by 15pts at quarter time. Both sides would have been pretty confident in their ability to get the job done, however, the cream rose to the top and the powerful St. Kevins showed why they are a force to be reckoned with come finals time with a 7 goal 3rd term. From that point on, they held strong to maintain a huge lead. Bonacci was outstanding in a best on ground performance where he kicked 5, while Olsen managed 3 majors. For Blues, McKindlay and Blakely were their best performers. 

Beaumaris stayed in touch with their fellow top 4 rivals with an impressive 94-point win against Old Melburnians at Albert Park. The first term was a tight tussle with the teams only separated by a goal. A 6 goal to 1 term saw the Sharks burst out to a six goal lead at the main break. 4 goals in the 3rd and 8 in the last ensured the result was well and truly beyond doubt. The Sharks impressed, wel on their way to the finals where they will no doubt be a strong contender. 

The Old Xaverians continued their winning streak on the weekend, with their seventh straight victory against an Old Trinity side, who has struggled through Premier this season.. 5 goals in the first term got the Xavs going and if not for inaccurate goal kicking their final winning margin would have been a lot greater. Sam Cleeve has kicked a number of bags this season and booted 6 on this occasion while Silk kicked 4 and Troiani 2. Amad and Cullity put in their best performances of the season. The Xavs are motoring at the moment and haven’t lost since June, which is great for the side that couldn’t get passed the big two, SKOB and the Snowdogs, last season. They are well coached by Pete Callinan and Patrick Kennedy. Trinity look like they will be headed back to section 2 next year after a really tough season in their first season of premier. 

Tips

University Blacks v Old Xaverians
Beaumaris v Old Scotch
Old Trinity v University Blues
St Kevins v St. Bernards 
De La Salle v Old Melburnians