Wells chase down Eagles, Panthers outlast Ogs in thriller

Old Haileybury proved too strong for Williamstown CYMS in their return to Premier C with a 23-point victory at Altona Green Park. Despite seven scoring shots to two in the opening term, the Bloods trailed the CYs by just five points at the first break and sent through six goals to four in a match-winning second quarter as they kept the CYs at an arm’s length for the remainder of the game. Corey Rich opened his account with a bag of four goals for the Bloods, while Jackson Arthur was best afield. Benjamin Deller and Jack Gray were outstanding for the CYs and kicked three goals each.

Caulfield Grammarians put the disappointment of a straight sets finals exit behind them as they comfortably accounted for Old Ivanhoe to the tune of 84 points at Glenhuntly Oval. Four Fields managed three goals each, with Tom Small, Will Barker, Will Osborn and Louis O’Keefe peppering the scoreboard. Timothy Nixon was sensational in a best-on-ground performance for the Fields, while Hayden Heta (three goals) and Samuel Geilings were the best of the Hoes.

Old Mentonians reversed the result of last year’s Division 1 Grand Final with a hard-fought seven-point victory over Old Geelong at Keysborough Playing Fields. The Panthers never led by more than seven points at any break as both sides went toe-to-toe for the full four quarters. Former St Bedes/Mentone Tigers player James Dalzotta kicked six goals on debut for the Panthers and Billy Chapman excelled. Jock Grimshaw, Hugh McKay, Callum Wood and John Simson each kicked three majors for the Ogs.

Four goals to one in the final term helped Old Camberwell to a 17-point come-from-behind away victory over Marcellin earlier today. The Wells shot out to a 13-point first quarter lead, before the Eagles clicked with nine goals to six over the ensuing two terms. However, a dominant final stanza led by six-goal star Nicholas Adamson secured the Wells an important Round 1 win. Joe Arnold was named best afield for the Wells, while Matthew Molloy and Daniel McMahon were the standout performers for the Eagles.

A five-goal haul from Nicholas Pavlou helped Hampton Rovers to an emphatic 75-point victory over Kew at Victoria Park. 12 goals to two in the first half set up the result for the Rovers, with Adam McNeil, stalwart Leigh Fletcher and young gun Roland De Biase leading the charge. Andrew Brazzale played a lone hand up forward for the Bears with the goal kicking maestro registering three.