Predictability & genuine surprises in William Buck Premier

Nick Armistead – @NickArmistead

After two rounds of William Buck Premier, we have a combination of predictable outcomes and genuine surprises.

Predictable: St Kevin’s OB and Collegians sitting at the top of the ladder and confirming they are, beyond a shadow of a doubt, once again the teams to beat in William Buck Premier.

Genuine surprises: Old Xaverians, Old Melburnians and University Blues occupying the bottom three positions with an average percentage of 68.3%.

SKOB had few issues dealing with OMs as they ran out 64-point winners amongst the shipping containers at the pristine Flack Park. Cal Matheson and Sam Critchley were outstanding for the top-ranked SKOB, while they shared their 12 goals among 10 players – a clear indication of their myriad options up forward and through the midfield. OMs have recorded just 103 points over their first two games, with just two goals kicked this weekend. 13 behinds certainly did not help their cause as they failed to convert their chances. Angus Clarke, Josh Freezer and Oscar Hosking battled hard but serious improvement is required across the ground before they face off with Uni Blues in the game of the round this weekend.

Collegians were just six points ahead of Uni Blues at three quarter time but exploded in the fourth with seven goals to one while kicking with the breeze. George Burbury showcased his elite sense of occasion with three of the Lions’ first four goals in the final term, while Viv Michie iced a best-on-ground performance with the last goal of the day. Will Johnson’s foray up forward looks less and less likely to end anytime soon following another four majors. Speaking on the VAFA Podcast last week, Johnson admitted he prefers lining up in the defensive 50; however, after nine goals in two weeks as the main focal point up forward, it wouldn’t surprise if he was named in the goal square when the Big V face the SAAFL in June. The current situation surrounding the Blues is an interesting one as they sit last on the ladder with 57.02%. They’ve suffered losses to the 2017 grand finalists in the first two rounds but were within a goal of both minutes into the fourth term. While they were fighting a stiff breeze on Saturday, the fact is they’ve given up 15.10 (100) to 4.0 (24) in the fourth quarters of their opening games.

Old Brighton used the strong fourth-quarter gust to their advantage as they piled on six unanswered goals and ran over St Bedes/Mentone Tigers by eight points at Brindisi St Oval. The Tonners trailed by 33 points at the final break but fought back and hit the lead in the 27th minute when co-captain Harry Hill converted a set shot from 40m. Tom Fisher and Ben Jakobi were afield for the undefeated Tonners, while former Rover Nathan Smith booted four goals for the Tigers. While the wind played a significant role in the Tonners’ outstanding comeback, the Tigers have outscored their opposition 18.17 (125) to 7.15 (57) over the course of the first three terms this season. The Tigers are now 1-1 at home this year and will face off with an in-form Trinity for their first away game this weekend.

Old Trinity went one step closer to confirming a return to form when they defeated Old Scotch by 13 points at Camberwell Sports Ground. They kicked five of the first seven goals and, while they by no means blew the Cardinals away, held them at an arm’s length for the duration of the match. The internal improvement Bernie Dinneen said would take the T’s back up the ladder has already been on display with standout performances to Sam Joyce (2), an ever-improving Harry Thompson and a fit Ed Weatherson, Christos Manoussakis, Harry Tinney and Jake Steinhart. Anthony Scott was untouchable with 35 disposals and a goal earning him best-on-ground honours. The Cardinals were gallant in defeat but failed to capitalise on early chances with nine behinds coming from their first 11 scoring shots. Nick Jamieson and Jack Bull found plenty of it, while James Sansom kicked three goals. They’ve lost their opening two games by an average of just nine points and their points for (145) exceed De La (123), Xavs (140), OMs (103) and Uni Blues (130).

Goals to Ed Clinch and Sean Fisher in the final five minutes helped De La Salle to their first win of the season, defeating Old Xaverians by 10 points at Waverly Oval. No more than two points separated the sides at any of the first three breaks as the defence for both stood tall. Jason Tutt and Jake Williams provided the highlight of the match 20 minutes into the fourth via an elite baulk and subsequent screamer, with Williams finishing it off and bringing the margin to three points before Clinch and Fisher sealed it. Xavs were led admirably by Luke Bissett, Alex Trigar and Dan Noonan but were unable to hold on as they get ready to host SKOB this weekend.

PREVIEW

Four teams enter Round 3 without a win and that will not be the case Saturday evening. The game of the round is certainly Uni Blues and OMs as one team will claim a much-needed victory while the other will be left reeling at 0-3 and seriously behind the eight ball when considering the possibility of finals. It will be interesting to see if the Blues enter with the same three talls as the previous two weeks – Cordy, Williams & Milham – or if they try for a smaller, quicker brand of ball.

Old Xaverians and Old Scotch will enter the round as underdogs given they face off with the top two sides, but Xavs can usually find another gear when coming up against the old rivals, SKOB. Matt Handley and Brendan Goss are the keys for Xavs after both played a leading hand in their Round 5 performance last year (10 goals between them) before SKOB came from behind with six unanswered goals in the final term.

Scotch will be up against it when they meet Collegians at Wesley College, while Old Brighton and De La Salle do battle at Brighton Beach Oval. The Tonners will feel an air of confidence on home soil and knowing they need just four or five more wins to secure safety this season, while De La will be keen to continue the hot form showcased during the fourth term against Xavs.

Old Trinity will host St Bedes/Mentone Tigers at the Daley with arguably the strongest home ground advantage of any side this weekend given the difference in ground size.