Tigers tame Blues & register first win of 2017

St Kevin’s leapfrogged Collegians to take top spot on the William Buck Premier ladder with a comprehensive 84-point victory over Beaumaris at Banksia Reserve. SKOB held the Sharks to just two goals by the half time break, while sending through 8.12 of their own for a 48-point lead. Despite the Sharks more than tripling their score by game’s end, SKOB proved too powerful as their defensive pressure on the ball carrier was again a highlight. Henry Parkes (four) and Zach Ginies (four) combined for eight as Ginies continued his goal kicking form after bagging five last week. Connor Ross provided great run and carry for SKOB alongside standout performances from Gerard Gleeson and Nick Wood. The Sharks are yet to win a game and sit ninth on the ladder. Will Edmonds fought hard all day and was named their best.

It was a 125^th celebration to remember for Collegians as they defeated Old Melburnians by 47 points at Wesley College in Glen Waverley. It was a consistent effort from the Lions who outscored their opponents in every quarter, with Corey Cassidy, Kenny Ong and Billy Riddle kicking two goals each. The OMs were missing gun forward, Al Armstrong, and could only muster three goals for the match. Tom Penberthy and Lindsay Apted starred for the home side, while Theo Rosenthal and Justin De Steiger impressed for OMs. The Lions fall just below SKOB with a percentage of 181.86 and OMs continue their search for win number one in eighth spot on the ladder.

De La Salle and University Blacks played out a thriller at Waverly Oval, with De La running out three-point winners and making it two in a row. With two points in it and scores at 35-33, both sides nailed four goals in the fourth term as both sides spent time in front on the scoreboard. Brendan Close was named best afield for De La and Sean Fisher starred with four goals. The Blacks, who remain winless, were led admirably by Josh Steadman and Alastair Robbins. De La now sit sixth on the William Buck Premier ladder and outside the four on percentage.

Old Xaverians overcame a 20-point deficit at the last change, running over Old Trinity by three points in a thrilling grand final rematch at Toorak Park. With just 2.12 on the board at three quarter time, the Xavs turned it on in the last with Nick Wynne and Matt Handley at the forefront of the comeback. Wynne set up across half back and was instrumental as he cut off several of the T’s forward thrusts late in the game, while Handley pulled down numerous contested grabs and helped soak up time when the Xavs hit the lead. Tomi Johnston starred in a best-on-ground performance while Brendan Goss and Tom Williams kicked crucial goals in the fourth. The T’s were the better side for most of the game but an inability to penetrate beyond their defensive 50 for large portions of the fourth proved costly. Harry Thompson battled manfully in the ruck as he continued his strong start to the year and Seb Nicolosi kicked three.

St Bedes/Mentone Tigers came from behind to record their first win back in William Buck Premier, defeating University Blues by six points at Uni Oval. The Tigers trailed at every break but stuck with their more-fancied and in-form opponents, before kicking three goals to two in the fourth. Michael Barnes was phenomenal with five goals for the Tigers and Chris Mangoni excelled in a best-on-ground display. Ross Young’s scintillating form since returning to the Blues’ fold continued with two goals and Jeremy Taylor (two) was outstanding. The Blues remain in fourth spot on percentage, while the Tigers climb seventh on the back of their maiden win.