Fields out, Blacks, Panthers & Sharks consolidate

Alisha Min

University Blacks continued their winning ways in a 51 point victory over the Parkdale Vultures at Gerry Green Reserve in Round 2. Though not much separated the two sides in the opening term, the Uni Blacks were able to convert their inaccuracy in front of the sticks from the first quarter (1.9) to seal the deal by the end of the third quarter when they had notched an impressive 11 majors to the Vultures 4.

Charlie Dillon was solid for the Vultures, managing to score 2 goals and be the only player in the team to do so, whereas Lachlan Huntington and Lochie Dornauf were able to snag 3 and 2 goals respectively. Matthew Burt, Sam Bennett and Hugh CurnowSunshine and blue skies. Though these words may have been fitting for the seasonal funfair we were privy to in the opening round of the Premier B 2018 season, you could not say the same of the wet’n’windy conditions the competition endured in Round 2.

With 53 a-piece at three quarter time, it was a remarkable feat to see Old Carey bring it home by 38 points come the final siren against St Bernards. This top of the table clash was what you would expect from these two teams who are likely to meet again come finals.

Guy Dickson and Kristian Jaksch iced the game in the fourth, scoring the final two goals of the match to earn themselves 4 and 2 goals apiece, while Henry Schade was excellent off half-back for the duration of the game. Shaun Clarke was instrumental in the ruck for St Bernards, as was Conor Riley who was damaging in the midfield until the final term when the panthers well and truly pounced.

A scoreless final term will be of concern for senior coach Mark ‘Bomber’ Reily, who’s Snow Dogs boasted a 21 goal game in Round 1, making them the highest scoring team of the Premier B season thus far.

In the closest match of the round, Mazenod were able to down the in-form Ajax by 34 points at Central Reserve in Round 2.

The first term was a tight affair with the Nodders 3 goals to Ajax’s 2, but it was in the second quarter that Mazenod were able to stretch the margin to a 26 point lead which, in the winterlike conditions, all but inhibited Mark William’s team from pulling a come-from-behind win. A host of 11 goalkickers worked to guarantee the Nodders victory, with Chris Campbell and Mitchell D’Angelo notably scoring double figures with 2 goals each, while David Fayman and Jonah Wise were crucial goal kickers for Ajax with 2 majors respectively. Jordan Cohen was again formidable in his work rate for Ajax, as were Justin Berkowitz and Daniel Janover-Rocha, but the Nodders all-round team effort, with standout performances particularly from Rees Thomas and Tom Warby, saw them edge out the competitive Ajax outfit.

Old Haileyburians were still left searching for their first with in Premier B for the 2018 season after going down by 41 points against Beaumaris. As could be seen in the results of the entire competition for the round, the wet grounds and gale force winds made any lead instrumental; which is why the 3.4 to 1.3 scoreline at the end of the first, and further the 8.7 to 4.3 score heading into half time, was just too difficult a gap for the gutsy Haileyburians to surmount.

All 6 of the Sharks goal scorers were impressive as each of them scored a minimum of 2 goals apiece, with special mention to Rob Cathcart and William Edmondson who snagged 3 in the unfavourable circumstances. John Nicolopoulos was a goal scorer for the Bloods again, this time managing to get 2 compared to 1 last week, and the remaining 6 goals were spread individually across the team. Matthew Petering was impressive for the Sharks throughout the match, while Jarrod Plymin, James Paul, Nicholas Garrett and Aaron Toy were commendable for their efforts in keeping the Old Haileyburians competitive where possible.

If you were considering counting Caulfield Grammarians out of the Premier B competition after their 92 point deficit to Old Carey in Round 1, think again. Despite the wet and ragged conditions on Saturday afternoon, the Fields were able to secure a convincing 71 point victory against home side Monash Blues at Frearson Oval.

Though the conditions were undoubtedly wet from the winter-esque downpour and gale like winds which crossed Melbourne earlier that afternoon, the Blues would be disheartened with their inability to score in the first half; scoring just 1 goal to the Fields 8. 3 goals to kick off the third team made the Blues look competitive, but the return of the rain late in the piece proved too difficult for the home side to edge away at the then 7 goal deficit, which to the Fields credit opened up to a 10+ goal margin by the end of the match.

Joe McClelland was again instrumental to the Fields lineup, and was named Best on Ground for the away side, while Harry Schaffer, Nick Baltas and Tom Green were able to get off the mark with their goal scoring for the season; positively influencing Caulfield’s scoreboard with 3 and 2 goals respectively. Joe Griffiths put in a gutsy effort for the Blues, managing to score 1 of the team’s total of 4 goals for the game, and named in the Best accordingly.

PREVIEW

In the Premier C grand final rematch, we are sure to see a ripping contest between the Round 2 victors Caulfield Grammarians, and the so-far winless Old Haileyburians. Though Old Haileyburians came out on top after their grand final encounter, the home-ground advantage and winning form of the Fields will be tough to beat.

Beaumaris will be looking to uphold their undefeated status when they encounter Mazenod at Central Reserve in Round 3, while Monash Blues and Old Carey will be battling it out on the Blues home turf on the weekend. With no wins on the trot to date, and coming up against top-of-the-ladder Old Carey, it will be a tough day at the office for the Monash side who will certainly be looking to improve their scoring capabilities in order to be competitive.

Ajax face a tough opponent in the University Blacks at Princes Park on the weekend. Ajax will be hoping to emulate their high score in Round 1 in order to really compete against the in-form Blacks, and meanwhile, St Bernards will want to put their scoreless final term against Old Carey in Round 2 behind them when they take on Parkdale. Though Parkdale are winless for the season to date, they will be hoping to take on the challenge against St Bernards by producing more forward entries and scoring conversions.