Blues’ stars stand up, Xavs stave off fast-finishing OMs

University Blues’ stars all stood up today as they registered their first win under new senior coach James Walker with a 48-point victory over Beaumaris at Uni Oval. Kieran Harper (four), Tom Quinn (four), Tim Geappen (four), Ross Young (three) and Jeremy Mugavin (two) combined for all 17 of the Blues’ goals as they led from start to finish in a dominant display. The Blues reached their total tally of 109 just once in 2016 despite playing their way to a preliminary final. Stephen Milne kicked three for the Sharks, while Rob Cathcart continued his hot start to the season as their best performer.

An 11-goal second half helped Old Trinity to their second consecutive win to start the year, defeating St Bedes/Mentone Tigers by 38 points at Daley Oval. Trailing narrowly by four points at the half time break, the T’s piled on six goals to one in the third term to steer clear of the Chris Mangoni-led Tigers. Luther Juric continued his rise as one of the most influential players in William Buck Premier with a best-on-ground performance, while Ed Weatherson (four) and Jack Osborn (three) did the damage in front of goal. The T’s join St Kevin’s, Collegians and Old Xaverians as the only unbeaten sides, while the Tigers are winless and in 10^th spot on the ladder.

Despite a second consecutive bag of six goals from Lochie Dornauf, University Blacks were unable to stave off a hard-running Collegians outfit as they fell to a 23-point loss at Harry Trott Oval. Recruit Nick Dixon (three) starred for the Lions as they sent through five goals to one in the fourth term after both sides sat 61-apiece at three quarter time. Courtney Hylton and Trent Zimbachs were outstanding for the Lions, while Josh Steadman and Alastair Robbins performed admirably Blacks.

Old Xaverians held off a fast-finishing Old Melburnians by three points in a thriller at Sportscover Arena. Trailing by nine points at half time, Xavs kicked seven goals to three to take a 15-point lead into the final term. OMs came hard with 3.6 but the Xavs were able to hold thanks in large to standout performances from Denis Symeopoulos (three), Matt Handley (three) and Campbell Lane (one). Nick Daish, Al Armstrong (three) and Gus Borthwick led the final quarter charge for the OMs, who remain sixth on the ladder despite the loss.

St Kevin’s maintained their unbeaten streak at the top of William Buck Premier with a four-goal victory over De La Salle at Waverley Oval. Ben Dowd was the pick of the SKOB’s as Jay Schulz, Billy Kanakis, Zach Ginies and Mark Jamar kicked two goals each. Adrian Indovino (four) was damaging in front of goal for De La while Tom Humphrey and Jason Tutt led from the front, but they were unable to solidify their first win and sit ninth on the ladder.