OMs, Blues & Blacks salute in Round 6 thrillers

A Nick De Steiger-led Old Melburnians climbed to second spot on the William Buck Premier ladder after they defeated Old Xaverians in a two-point thriller at Toorak Park. De Steiger rucked for the majority of the day, dominating the hit outs and giving his midfield first use of the ball in the absence of Xavs big man and captain, John Shaw. Trailing by 19 points at three quarter time, the Xavs rallied in the final term and got within one point but a late major to five-goal star, Al Armstong, extended the lead and – despite a small glimpse of hope via a Denis Symeopoulos inside 50 in the last minute of the game – eventuated as the sealer. Brendan Goss turned it up in the third quarter and kicked two of his four goals for the Xavs, while Tom Paule lifted in the big moments and kicked two for OMs.

St Kevin’s handed Old Carey a 113-point belting at Carey Sports Complex on the back of a combined 20 goals from four of its stars. Stephen Gilham (six), Kelvin Williams (five), Billy Kanakis (five) and Jordan Gysberts (four) each dominated throughout the day and helped SKOB to 31 goals and a total of 204. Jacob Murphy stood tall for the Panthers in their sixth consecutive loss, kicking three goals alongside side another standout Sam Cust performance. SKOB’s second win elevates them to eighth place on the ladder following St Bernard’s close loss to Uni Blues.

Old Trinity escaped from the jaws of defeat for the second consecutive week, this time coming from behind and kicking six goals to two in the final quarter to run over a valiant Collegians by 12 points at Harry Trott Oval. The Lions built on a four-point half time lead by keeping the T’s goalless in the third, before a Christos Manoussakis-led T’s outfit stormed home. Alex Polidoros kicked three goals and took his season tally to 19, while Lindsay Apted and Will Johnson continued their stunning form for the Lions as their best.

St Bernard’s fell agonisingly short of a second consecutive victory when they gave up a 17-point three quarter time lead and went down to University Blues by two points at Uni Oval. Joel Moloney initiated the comeback for the Blues in a best-on-ground performance and Tom Quinn mirrored the three-goal haul he kicked in Round 5. Tom Sullivan continues to lead from the front for the Snow Dogs and did his Woodrow medal hopes no harm in another outstanding display, while Chris Hughes kicked three goals. The Blues return to the top four following the win, while the Snowdogs fall to ninth.

University Blacks will be celebrating this weekend after they defeated De La Salle by one point in a hard-fought and classic encounter at Waverly Oval. Despite kicking two less goals (9.21 – 11.8), the Blacks were able to register a last-second victory thanks to a rushed behind from 100-game skipper and VAFA star, Bede Mahon. Lochy Dornauf was scintillating with five goals for the Blacks, while Sam Williams and Daniel Keely were De La’s best. The Blacks have now made it two wins on the trot and sit sixth on the William Buck Premier ladder, while De La fall below OMs to third.