OMs record first win, four unbeaten

Old Melburnians registered their first win of 2018 with a thrilling five-point victory over University Blues at Uni Oval. Trailing by 19 points at three quarter time, OMs ignited in the fourth with five goals to one to close out the winless Blues. Cam Banfield was the star of the show with five goals in a BOG display, while Tim Marshall kicked four. Tom Quinn continued his stellar start to the season for the Blues with four goals and Ryan Eade was their best. The Blues sit in 10^th spot on the ladder after three consecutive losses, while OMs jump to sixth. The Redlegs will take a lot of confidence as they claimed victory without captain and star midfielder Tom Paule.

Old Brighton’s unbeaten run to start the season continued in emphatic fashion, defeating De La Salle by 59 points in a blowout at Brighton Beach Oval. The Tonners led by 13 points at the last break but, as they did in Round 2 against the Tigers, finished strongly as they piled on eight goals to one. Nick Pavlou embodied Michael ‘God’ Karayannis and top-scored with three goals, while Thomas Skewes and Anthony Zimmerman bagged two each. Jake Williams was named best for De La and Antony Forato continued his outstanding form in the ruck. De La now fall to 1-2 and seventh place on the ladder, while the Tonners remain undefeated in third.

Old Trinity also continued their unbeaten run as they held off St Bedes/Mentone Tigers for a seven-point victory at Daley Oval. It was a game of two halves as the T’s dominated the opening two terms with slick ball movement and entered the main break with a 28-point lead. The Tigers fought back in the second half as they got on top in the clearances, coming to within six points late in the fourth term. Harry Tinney’s injury woes seem a thing of the past and he was clearly BOG for the T’s, while Alex Hasiotis and Connor Lindsey were outstanding. Charles Roberts impressed in the ruck in the absence of Harry Thompson, while Tom Tyquin and both Simon and Chris Richards were relentless for the Tigers. The Tigers had three more scoring shots than the T’s (21-18) but missed some opportunities late which could have led them to their second win of the year. They currently sit fifth on the ladder but two games below the T’s in fourth.

Six goals from Billy Kanakis helped St Kevin’s OB to their third win on the trot, defeating Old Xaverians by 38 points at Toorak Park. SKOB led by eight points at quarter time but created an unassailable buffer when they kicked six goals to one in the second term. Both sides netted six each after half time. Kanakis was unstoppable and took his season tally to 12 goals from three games, while Tom Jok, Conor Ross and Sam Barnett each played leading roles. Matt Handley top-scored for Xavs with three majors and Tom Anderson was named their best player. Xavs are now 0-3 and ninth on the ladder, while SKOB remain on top.

Collegians were made to work for the four points against a gallant Old Scotch, running out seven-point winners at Wesley College. Scores were level at half time before the Lions kicked two unanswered in the third and took a 10-point buffer into the final quarter. Despite kicking three goals to two, the Cardinals were unable to break through the Lions’ stranglehold led by outstanding performances from Courtney Hylton, Viv Michie, Sam Hibbins and three goals from George Burbury. Lachlan Hill kicked two goals in a standout display for the Cardinals while Nick Jamieson and Jack Bull were impressive against the star-studded Lions midfield. The Cardinals are yet to open their account in 2018 but haven’t been defeated by more than 13 points in any of their three losses.