Wet? No problem for Premier C favourites

Meg Saultry

Williamstown CYMS continues to cement itself at the top of the ladder, holding off a fast finishing Old Ivanhoe by 15 points at Chelsworth Park. Old Ivanhoe kicked four unanswered goals in the final term, but it wasn’t enough to curtail the lead Williamstown built throughout the game.

Ben Connolly was best afield for the CYs, with the young gun cementing his spot in the senior side this year. Connolly made nine senior appearances across last season while also playing for the club’s U19 side. CY’s Ben Gray was potent for a second week in a row, booting four goals (five last week), while Jacob Wheelahan backed up a best on ground performance last round with a handy two goals against Old Ivanhoe.

Old Ivanhoe’s Brandon Lee kicked three goals, with skipper Mal Mitris chipping in for two second half majors. Sam Wilcox backed up another good performance, judged best afield for the Hoers, while newbies Justin Powick and Sam Keogh contributed impressive performances in their second game for the side.

Adding to its impressive 107-point win against Old Camberwell last week, Williamstown remain undefeated and hold an imposing 196 percent at the top of the ladder. Williamstown CYMS will return to Fearon Reserve to host Old Mentonians in round three, while Old Ivanhoe will face off against traditional foes Old Camberwell.

Old Geelong overran St. Mary’s Salesian with an eight goal fourth quarter display that led the visitors to a 56-point victory at Ferndale Park on Saturday. Geelong looked dangerous for most of the day, skilfully attacking out of the middle, but were unsuccessful in hitting targets in the forward line. Rushed attempts at goal resulted in an unflattering conversion rate, while undisciplined play in the first quarter, particularly in front of St. Mary’s goal, gave the straight-shooting Saints the lead at quarter time.

Old Geelong were more effective in the second term, before St Mary’s begun to work its way back into the match after the main break, with a Louis Holmes goal getting the home team within two points of the lead late in the third. Old Geelong showed they were too strong in the fourth term, completely overrunning the Saints by successfully hitting up the big targets that they failed to earlier in the game, with Matt Corney and Jock Grimshaw kicking three goals apiece late in the game.

St. Mary’s vice-captain Cam Butler was impressive in defence, spoiling and rebounding well in the first three quarters, while Brett Borland was crafty around the half forward flank and slotted two goals. The game also marked Frank Favida’s 100th game for the Saints with his first appearance in the senior side.

Old Geelong will look to remain undefeated when it plays Fitzroy FC at Brunswick Street Oval next round, while St. Mary’s will be eager to get its first win on the board when it plays off against Marcellin OC.

Old Mentonians claimed its first win of the season beating Old Camberwell by 20 points at Keysborough Playing Fields. The Panthers gained a three-goal advantage in the first quarter which was never let up, with the home side leading by a similar score at each change.

Massey Parker and Aaron Hodges both backed up strong individual showings last week with impressive performances against the Wellers, while Luke Hull and Darcy Brown kicked two apiece for the Panthers.

Wellers’ forward Nicholas Adamson kicked three goals, to add to his five from last round, while 2017 Premier C League best and fairest and club skipper Ben Hart was prominent for the losing side. The Panthers will want to keep its winning form going into round three, but face a tough opponent in top-of-the-ladder Williamstown, while Old Camberwell will search for its first win against rivals Old Ivanhoe.

Marcellin OC got its season off the ground with a hard fought 19-point victory over PEGS Football Club. Playing at its home ground, Marcellin College, the Eagles steadily increased its lead across the match, winning three of the four quarters, and scoring even with PEGS in the third quarter.

Marcellin’s Matthew De Luca kicked two goals for the team in his first game of the season as Lachlan Rush backed up with another consistent performance, also slotting two majors. Adrian Bonato was best afield, after shifting between the senior and reserves sides last year. After its win over fellow promoted club St. Mary’s Salesian last week, it was PEGS’ first test against a well-placed Premier C side, with Thomas McConville influential in his second game with the Bombers.

Adrian Romanyk was again PEGS’ top goal scorer with two majors (following his eight goals last week) and narrowly holds onto the lead in the competition’s goal kicking tally, one ahead of Williamstown’s Ben Gray.

Both clubs will line up against teams desperate to get its first wins, as Marcellin OC battles St. Mary’s Salesian and PEGS Football Club faces Peninsula.

Fitzroy FC continued its perfect start to the season, beating Peninsula by a tight six-points in wet conditions at Peninsula School. Fitzroy started the match strong, with Tom Cheshire kicking the first goal of the game, before Peninsula gained control and successfully held the ball in its forward half for the majority of the first quarter.

A downpour of rain 17 minutes into the game (and continuing after) resulted in extremely contested football, with both sides displaying untidy skills, and often utilising soccer kicks to gain much valued metres. A goal each to Will Crowder and Alex Marshall had Peninsula up by five points at the first break, before Fitzroy were able to wrestle back the lead in the second term and maintain control for the rest of match. Cheshire was the only multiple goal scorer across both sides, ending the day with two majors.

Peninsula has lost its first two home games for the year, but will need to win away if they are to get on the winner’s board when they face PEGS Football Club next week. Third placed Fitzroy FC will face a tough battle against second placed Old Geelong, both teams undefeated so far this season.