Xavs cruising in first gear, while local derby delights

Nick Armistead – @Nick Armistead

Beaumaris and St Bedes/Mentone Tigers met in the 2016 Premier B Grand Final re-match and the result was an accurate depiction of the showcase spectators were subjected to at Banksia Reserve. Drawn at 58-apiece, the Sharks had an opportunity to win after the final siren when Scott Gower took a sensational contested mark and lined up from 55-60m out, but he can certainly be forgiven for the ball falling short after four quarters of uninterrupted battery between the two local rivals. The Tigers made the most of their opportunities in the first half (5.1-3.6) and took a seven-point lead into the main break before the Sharks, and reminiscent to last year’s grand final, hit back with four unanswered in the third. An impassioned three-quarter time speech from senior coach, Sam Anstey, inspired the Tigers to the first three goals of the last term before Jordan Smith (Beau) and George Rowlands (SBMT) kicked the final two majors of the match. The Sharks had the last five inside 50s but failed to convert in the final three minutes of the match, with Jarryd Robertson and Tom Garside particularly influential for the Tigers across half back, cutting off several forward thrusts. Tim Cumming was outstanding in the ruck for the Sharks and his importance will only increase now Tom Dean and his ball-winning ability has been ruled out for the season with stress fractures in his foot. Gower was instrumental for the Sharks alongside Rob Cathcart and Nick Dickinson, while Tigers’ midfielder James Tyquin would be stiff to miss the three votes. Despite the loss, it was the Sharks’ second straight impressive performance and if they can lower their eyes more often when entering 50, a forward set-up of Gibbins, Dickinson and Milne will certainly kick winning scores.

St Kevin’s edged past Old Melburnians in the fourth quarter of their clash at TH King Oval, running out six-point victors for their seventh win of the season. OMs led at every break throughout the day but gave up four goals to one in the final term, with a red card in the 24^th minute handing young gun, Tom Jok, the go-ahead goal. Jok, 20, is one of the most exciting prospects in the VAFA and his form over the past three weeks has been in the top echelon of William Buck Premier players. Sam Critchley and Billy Kanakis impressed for SKOB, while Gerard Gleeson strengthened his claim for a second consecutive Big V squad selection. While the focus has largely been on SKOB’s offensive skillset – and rightfully so with an average of 95ppg – it’s their defence which has shone in all but one game this year. They boast the fourth tightest defence of 71 points against and that includes their Round 6 capitulation against Collegians whereby they allowed 140 points. OM’s missed an opportunity to stamp their authority on the competition by claiming a top-two scalp and, as such, fall a game a half outside the four. Sam Gibbons and Tom Paule led from the front, while Cameron Banfield was named in the best for the fourth time this year.

Collegians returned to form with a solid 10-point victory over the in-form University Blues at Uni Oval. Despite posting their second-lowest score of the season (9.13.67), the Lions kept the Blues to just eight goals, which is the seventh time they’ve kept a side below the magical 10-goal mark from the first eight rounds. Viv Michie continues to go from strength-to-strength after having his appendix removed on the eve of Round 1 which ultimately slowed his start to the year. He has clearly been the Lions’ best over the past month and his AFL experience adds another layer of class to the most structurally sound outfit in the competition. Kalem Post returned from injury and had an immediate impact akin to his smooth transition into the Lion’s Den this year. The Blues trailed by 34 at the final break but piled on the last four goals of the game as they refused to give in. Kieran Harper increased his lead as the number one goal kicker in William Buck Premier, booting four and taking his overall tally to 23. Harper’s ankle injuries have been well-documented since his AFL days with North Melbourne, but his utmost professionalism to recovery has seen him dominate across half forward and through the midfield in the first eight rounds after missing the entire 2016 season. Will Cuningham was outstanding in defence and his partnership with fellow defender Connor Lappin is as important to the Blues’ success as Harper’s presence.

Six goals to two in the third quarter proved the difference as Old Xaverians defeated University Blacks by 28 points at Toorak Park. With eight points separating the two sides at the main break, Xavs strung together 11 scoring shots (6.5) to three (2.1) as Dan Noonan, Louis Tiernan and Brendan Goss started to get on top. If not for the third term dominance, the scores were level across the other three quarters with 4.13 each. It’s not the first time the Xavs have won a game in the space of a quarter but, as previously stated, it’s all that is required at this time of the year. At 6-2 with a percentage of 106.14, Xavs’ average winning margin is still 20.3 and they’ve not even left first gear. The Blacks are now level with the Sharks on four premiership points and a game and a half behind the Tigers in eighth. James Toohey was the Blacks’ best for the second week in a row, while Lochie Dornauf kicked three. The Blacks are clearly a better side than 1-7 suggests but allowing an average of 32 scoring shots through their defence over the past three weeks is, at the very least, concerning given they’ve hit the scoreboard more than 23 times just once this year. Leadership and a hard-nosed edge are characteristics 1-7 sides need and the Blacks have both in spades.

De La Salle entered the four a game clear of the Blues after they defeated Old Trinity by 39 points at Daley Oval. Playing for the Fight MND Cup, of which both sides were phenomenal in their support, De La kicked nine of the last 12 goals to run away with their second straight win. Jake Williams and in-form Chris Robinson starred for De La, while Collingwood VFL-listed player, Michael Chippendale, made his debut. Jason Tutt and David Lowe both returned after missing last week’s clash against the Lions. It was the T’s fifth loss from their past six outings and the situation at the Daley is beginning to look rather dire. The T’s best form is better than any other in the VAFA, but they are not producing consistently enough over the duration of a match to warrant confidence from even the most loyal supporters. Brendan Iezzi’s return to form over the past month has been a shining light and Luke Pacconi continues to star down back as the best small defender in the competition. Next weekend’s clash against the sixth-placed OMs will be the match of the round because both side’s finals aspirations rely heavily on banking the four points.

Feature photo: Ari Hatzis