Nodders’ Premier C demolition

By Christian Burgess

The story of the year has to be Mazenod! The Nodders finished with only five wins in Premier B before being relegated to Premier C, where they remain undefeated. At the end of 2015, the Nodders lost their Coach Heath Black, VAFA Representative Josh Cowan and looked to possibly rebuild in Premier C. But since Ben Phibbs took the reigns as playing coach, he has rejuvenated the Nodders and developed a list capable of going all the way. I could not have been more wrong when picking my top four at the start of the season, when I did not include the Nodders. They have since ran riot in 2016 including a strong victory against Old Ivanhoe Grammarians on the weekend who I think many predicted to be a powerhouse this year.

Mazenod kicked six unanswered goals in the second quarter to go into the main break with a hefty 35 point lead. Old Ivanhoe had the wind in the second quarter but unfortunately only managed four goals, allowing Mazenod to extend their lead in the last quarter to 48 points. The Nodders spread the load with 10 goal kickers on the day including Bradley Kovac (2) who was best afield.

Williamstown CYMS find themselves 4th of the ladder with a superb start to the season with only the one loss to the undefeated Pirates. The CY’s third win came against Ormond who did jump out of the gates first racing to a 16 point lead at quarter time. Ormond maintained the lead through to half time by 15 points but that was where the run ended. The Cy’s slotted 13 second half goals to Ormond’s four, and ran rampage, as the midfield worked tirelessly, feeding the Cy’s forwards. In Mitch Parkinson’s second game for the season he was the most dangerous player on the ground kicking six goals. Ormond’s club veteran Simon Keleher, did all he could and finished with one goal in his gallant performance for the losing side.

Caulfield Grammarians have turned around their start to the season since losing in round one, they have now won three on the trot and sit third on the ladder. They have had no easy beats along the journey, beating the promoted Ormond, last year’s finalists Marcellin and now a heroic victory against Old Camberwell Grammarians. It became a battle of who could use the wind better on Saturday against The Wellers. The Wellers opened the game utilizing the wind kicking 5.2 and keeping Caulfield to only 1.2. Caulfield watched and leant from The Wellers first quarter and had 13 scoring shots in the second quarter whilst restricting The Wellers to just the one.  Caulfield played heroically in the ‘Premiership Quarter’ where they arguably set themselves up for victory. The Wellers could not keep up with the fast flowing pace of Caulfield who had 22 scoring shots in the second half finishing 53 points clear. Caulfield had 11 goal scorers, five of them multiples whilst Robert Campbell stood tall kicking four majors for the Wellers.

It was undoubtable the match of the round as Kew Bears hosted the undefeated Peninsula Pirates. 20 points was the biggest margin at half time in Kew’s favour and could have been more if the Bears were more accurate in front of goal. But the Pirates were all class in the third term, accuracy by foot being their biggest weapon kicking a remarkable 8.1 to pinch a ten point lead at three quarter time. For those lucky enough to make it to Victoria Park on Saturday, the game lived up to all expectations, with the last quarter being no exception. The momentum ebbed and flowed, arguably in Kews favour, kicking 3.2 to the Pirates 2.1 but enough damage had been done with the Pirates prevailing by three points. Thomas Wilkinson and Stefan Barbour combined for nine goals and will cause headaches for opposition this season. Young gun Tyson Wiegold was superb for the Bears whilst Timothy Allman finished with four goals.

Marcellin and Oakleigh were both looking for their first win on Saturday and in the first quarter Marcellin looked the hungrier of the two, jumping to a 35 point lead at quarter time. The Krushers found their form in the second quarter kicking 7.8 to Marcellin’s 2.2 edging a one point lead heading into the main break. The goals slowed in the third term, as both teams fought hard for possession with only five goals between the two teams for the entire quarter, yet Marellin pinched back the lead by four points. Staggeringly, the Krushers inaccurate kicking in front of goal, kept Marcellin in with a chance in the last quarter. Despite a deficit of four points at three quarter time and both teams only kicking one goal each in the last quarter, the Krushers managed to win by five points. It was their 11 scoring shots in the last quarter including one goal and 10 behinds to the Krushers that gave them the lead. Daniel Mc Mahon finished with four majors whilst Ash Viney battled hard all day for his side. Tim Doherty was best on ground in his second game for the season and Trevor Bromley brought his senior goal tally to 600.

Round 5 Tips

Old Ivanhoe Grammarians v Williamstown CYMS

Caulfield Grammarians v Oakleigh AFC

Old Camberwell Grammarians v Marcellin OC

Peninsula OB v Mazenod

Kew v Ormond