Roys Turn it on, CYs claim top spot

Meg Saultry

Fitzroy opened its 2018 campaign with a 40-point win over the Old Mentonians at Brunswick Street Oval.

After being relegated from Premier B with five wins last year, the Roys, under new coach Luke Mahoney, would be happy with the convincing start.

Former captain Rory Angiolella officially handed new skipper Julian Turner the number one captain’s guernsey before the game, before Turner starred for the Roys by booting six goals. Angiolella continued to be first-rate on the field even without the leadership title.

Max Ellis kicked an important goal near the end of the first quarter to put the Roys two goals in front at the first break, as Fitzroy continued to steadily increase its’ lead throughout the game. In his seventh senior season, Ellis’ goal doubles his total count to two.

Panthers full forward Lachlan Boyd battled hard and was powerful down his end of the ground kicking five majors, while Aaron Hodges was admirable, but the Old Mentonians will need to show more if they are to beat their sixth-place finish last season.

Heading into round two Fitzroy FC will look to remain undefeated against Peninsula, while the Old Mentonians will hope to replicate their 47-0 first quarter effort in their 2017 win against Old Camberwell in round 14 last season.

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Old Geelong drew first blood with a major victory over last year’s semi-finalists Marcellin, defeating the Eagles 93-to-70 at Como Park.

The score was virtually even in the first half, before Old Geelong drew away from the visitors, scoring five goals to one in the third quarter. Marcellin’s inaccurate kicking in the last term (2.5) proved costly in their comeback efforts.

Old Geelong enjoyed an even goal contribution across the board with nine individual goal kickers, while Marcellin relied heavily on Daniel Cullinan (4 goals) and Lachlan Rush (3 goals).

Geelong will be pleased to record a victory first up after finishing fifth last season and just missing out on finals. Marcellin finished third, before making it into the second week of finals, though failed to secure a place in the Grand Final.

Old Geelong and Marcellin both face off against newly promoted PEGS Football Club and St Mary’s Salesian respectively in Round 2.

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Williamstown CYMS shoots straight to the top of the ladder after round one with a percentage boosting 107-point win over Old Camberwell.

Williamstown’s statement win comes after a fourth placed finish last year, as they look to push deeper into the final series in 2018.

Comfortably in control in the first half, Williamstown put the foot on the accelerator in the third term, piling on nine goals to three, with the Wellers barely running out the game.

CY’s Jack and Ben Gray kicked five goals individually, with another nine players contributing majors to the tally.

Old Camberwell’s Nicholas Adamson and Lachie Powell tried to keep their team in the match, easily their sides best as they contributed the Wellers entire goal count (five and three respectively), but it wasn’t enough to stop the thrashing by Williamstown.

Old Camberwell will be desperate to atone for the massive loss when they face the Old Mentonians next round, while Williamstown matches up against Old Ivanhoe.

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In the division one Grand Final rematch, PEGS Football Club preserved bragging rights as they beat St Mary’s Salesian by 12 points in the closest contest of the round.

Both clubs were promoted to Premier C this season, following a one-two finish last year. After a fighting 57-point comeback in the premiership game last season, the PEGS Bombers instead led all day in the round one clash, though St Mary’s challenged by getting within one point at half time.

Bomber Adrian Romanyk leads the competition goal kicking tally after the first round, bagging eight for the day.

Dane Hicks impressed in his first game for the Saints, while recently returned Saints forward Louis Holmes kicked five majors.

Both sides will have big tests next week, with their first games against Premier C regulars. The Bombers will play Marcellin OC, whilst St Mary’s will line up against Old Geelong.

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After finishing eighth last season, Old Ivanhoe started its season afresh with a 36-point victory over the recently relegated Peninsula Pirates.

Ivanhoe fielded four first gamers in the away game, with Justin Powick, Sam Keogh, Matthew Vacirca and Daniel Cookson debuting.

Cookson has already impressed those around the club to be included in the leadership group in his first season with the Hoers, and showed what he could do with a strong performance, alongside a first game goal.

Returning to Premier C after a year’s stint in Premier B, the Pirates struggled at home, though newly appointed skipper Sam Glenn was gallant.

With 11 individual goal kickers contributing to the Pirates tally, it wasn’t enough to quell the dominance of Adrian Del Monte (five goals), Nick Reeves-Smyth (three) and Brandon Lee (three).

The Pirates found something extra late, kicking five goals to three in the final quarter, but Ivanhoe’s dominance earlier in the game carried through.

Peninsula will play-off against fellow relegated club Fitzroy next round as Ivanhoe faces a big challenge against a high-flying Williamstown outfit.