Premier C throwing up ‘What ifs’

By Christian Burgess – Premier C Scribe

Not a lot changed according to the ladder after last weekend, except for Old Camberwell bridging the gap from relegation after their win against Williamstown CYMS. It was a weekend of ‘what ifs’. What if Williamstown had of beaten Old Camberwell? Would they be well and truly a part of the finals race? What if Marcellin kicked truly in the final minute of the game? Would they be clear of relegation? Would Old Ivanhoe have fallen out of the top 4? What if Kew held onto their ¾ time lead of 7 points? Would the Bears become the biggest threat in the competition, having beaten 3 of the top 4 sides? But, with only 4 rounds to go, relegation and promotion on the line and finals beckoning, it’s the 36 guys who are on the ground each week that will determine the outcome after round 18, no more ‘what ifs’ asked.

Mazenod hold onto second place with a comprehensive last quarter onslaught breaking their two-game losing streak. Ormond were caught off guard when the Nodders shot to a 23 point lead at quarter time after 9 scoring shot to Ormond’s one. But, the Nodders’s were leading by just 13 points at the last break, before they piled on six goals to one in a dominant final term. Rob Mann the main beneficiary with four majors up forward, while Liam Riley was named best afield for the Nodders. Isaiah Tahana booted three for the Monders as they succumb to their fifth loss from their last six outings. To their credit, Ormond have played three of the top four teams in their last three weeks, defeating Old Ivanhoe and have been competitive in the others.

Old Ivanhoe and Marcellin’s storied history created another chapter yesterday as the two sides tied 78-all at Chelsworth Park. Marcellin started the better of the two but it was their inaccuracy in front of goal that kept the Hoes in the game. Nick Reeves-Smyth’s booming goal on the run just before half time gave the Hoes confidence going into the long break. A 6 goal to 2 third term, saw the Hoes regain the momentum with two in a quarter to Del Monte.  But the Hoes squandered their chances in the final term, missing two straightforward set shots and Marcellin scoring a single point within the final minute to equalize. Old Ivanhoe have really been the talking point of Premier C. They were my Premiership pick at the beginning of the season due to a list that I thought would be too deep and difficult to stop. Carl Groth is a league medalist, Matthew Ferguson and Chris Johnson come with years of AFL experience and elite skills, Adrian Del Monte is an A grade forward, David Bruno consistently monsters opposition ruckmen and Mal Mitris is the Section’s best defender. If their core group can escape injury, suspension and combine together, they have a chance to escape their current form slump, regain momentum and enter finals as a real threat.

A slow start by both Kew and Caulfield saw only one goal for the quarter in Caulfield’s favour. Kew began the second term better with 8 scoring shots taking them to a 14 point lead at half time. Louis O’Keefe was well held to only one goal for only the second time this season as Caulfiled only managed five majors to three quarter time and trailing the Bears by seven points at the final change. It would have been the third team the Bears had beaten in the top four had they resisted the final quarter surge from the Fields. But it wasn’t to be, the Fields not only regained the lead but extended the winning margin to 25 points, kicking six final quarter goals to the Bear’s one. William Osborne and Charlie Logan kicked two a piece with singles to seven of their teammates. Andrew Brazzale was the only multiple goal scorer for the Bears whilst Max Waters continually set them up from defence.

It was a must win game for Williamstown in order to keep their finals hopes alive but were beaten convincingly by Old Camberwell after quarter time. After quarter time the Wellers booted 10 majors to the Cy’s 5. This win puts them half a game clear of relegation with the best percentage of the bottom four. The Cy’s strength has been to spread the load of their goal kicking but what hasn’t worked is their ability to kick high scores without their power forward in Ebinger (VFL commitments). The Cy’s had eight  individual goal kickers with Yuma Hemphill playing his best game for the season. Cameron Wilson starred in a best-on-ground performance, and Jackson Eade kicked three majors for the Wellers. 

Peninsula Pirates stormed to an impressive 77 point victory over the Oakleigh Krushers. The Pirates are most dangerous on their home deck and were electric in their start kicking three goals with inaccuracy reducing their first quarter lead. The Pirates altered their shot for goal and improved their percentage, kicking five goals and three behinds in the second term to the Krushers two points, going into the main break with a 54 point lead. It took until the final term for the Krushers to register their first goals through Trevor Bromley and Ben Still. It was only the second time this season that power forward Aaron Cloke was held goalless. The Pirates were relentless in attack, with Stefan Barbour kicking 5 and extending his goal kicking lead by 8. Young gun Mitch Kellerman was spectacular in his third game for the season. The pirates now sit third and have the opportunity to jump to second position as they face Mazenod this weekend.

Tips

Mazenod v Peninsula

Old Ivanhoe v Oakleigh

Williamstown CYMS v Caulfield

Old Camberwell v Kew

Marcellin v Ormond