Lions, Xavs blockbuster abandoned, Blacks in a shootout

The Round 9 clash between Collegians and Old Xaverians was abandoned 59 minutes into the fourth quarter after a lengthy delay due to a severe leg break to defender Jarryd Skene. With six minutes of playing time left on the clock, the Xavs led by seven points and Brendan Goss would have been lining up for his second goal to try and put the Xavs in front by 13 after marking inside 50. Tim Golds (2) and Hayden Troiani (3) starred for Xavs, who had seven more scoring shots than the Lions when the game was abandoned. The Lions, who led by three points at half time, were coming hard in a high intensity fourth quarter, with Kalem Post, Sam Hibbins and Courtney Hylton at the forefront of the run. Nick Dixon was the best for the Lions across the day while star utility Will Johnson went down early in the second with a groin injury. The VAFA Board will now meet to decide the distribution of premiership points. The VAFA extends its best wishes to Jarryd in his recovery.

30 scoring shots to 18 helped St Kevin’s to their eighth win of the year as they defeated St Bedes/Mentone Tigers by 62 points at Brindisi St Oval. SKOB led by 31 at the main break and piled on another nine goals to four in the second half, with Jay Schulz continuing his hot run with six majors for the second time in his last three outings. Lachlan Merrett was named best-on-ground alongside Schulz, while Jared Robertson and Simon Richards impressed again for the Tigers. The loss leaves the Tigers just half a game ahead of the Blacks in eighth spot on the ladder.

University Blacks and Beaumaris played out one of the most exciting games of the year, with the Blacks edging past the Sharks by just three points at Uni Oval. A five-goal opening term helped the Blacks to a 12-point lead, but that was quickly erased as the Sharks piled on eight goals in the second term and still held a three-point lead at the last break. Both sides kicked six each in a thrilling final term, with Lachlan Huntington kicking six in total for the Blacks, while Stephen Milne and Sam Gibbins bagged six of their own for the Sharks. Hugh Curnow and Mitch Carney were the best for the Blacks who now move within two premiership points of the eighth-placed Tigers. Scott Gower and Tim Cumming continued their excellent form for the Sharks.

Five goals to one in the fourth quarter allowed Old Melburnians to overrun Old Trinity by 23 points at Sportscover Arena. OMs trailed by seven points at the three-quarter time break but turned it on in the final term as Gus Borthwick and Josh Freezer led the way. James Regan excited the home crowd with his first goal on senior debut, while Brendan Iezzi starred for the T’s for the fourth straight game. James Spassopoulos returned after more than a month’s lay-off and kicked four goals for the T’s, but they now sit in seventh a game and a half behind OMs in sixth.

Another four goal-haul from Kieran Harper helped University Blues to a hard-fought 11-point win over De La Salle at Waverley Oval. Trailing by eight points at the half, the Blues kicked eight of the last 13 goals to run away with their fifth win and back into fourth spot on the ladder. Ryan Eade and Connor Lappin maintained their hot form for the Blues, while Jason Tutt was the best for De La and Ed Clinch kicked four. It was the fourth time this season Harper kicked four goals as he leads the goal kicking on 27, five ahead of Schulz on 22.