Did I mention percentage in Premier C?

Meg Saultry

0.52% separates top-placed Williamstown CYMS and Fitzroy FC, after the Roys’ Round 5 134-point win almost robbed the Cys of its stronghold on top position.  

Fitzroy FC blitzed St Mary’s Salesian at Ferndale Park by kicking 12 goals in the final quarter to secure the largest victory of the season to date. Up by 59 points at halftime, Fitzroy didn’t look to slow down as they continued to pile on the goals, taking out the match 29.24-(198) to 10.4-(64). It was a complete performance by the visitors, linking up seamlessly as it pressed forward to attack, while even contribution among teammates resulted with 10 players kicking two or more goals. Aidan Lambert and Jack Dalton top scored with four goals apiece, with Dalton playing his first senior game this season for the Roys after being elevated from the Reserves. Tom O’Donnell was excellent, while the Clayton twins, Ted and Bill, were also among the top performers. Joel Mattiske was judged the best of the Saints, while Josh Tanner, also among his team’s best, booted two goals for the hosts.

Fitzroy FC remains in second position on the ladder, but with a significantly boosted percentage after its win, as the loss causes St Mary’s to drop back to last position. Next round, Fitzroy returns home to Brunswick Oval to host Marcellin OC. St Mary’s also has a looming match-up with competition leaders Williamstown CYMS.

Fearon Park may seem an appropriate name for Williamstown CYMS’ home ground, as CY continue to put fear into its opponents with another dominant victory, this week beating Old Geelong by 79 points. First-rate first and fourth quarter efforts book-ended Williamstown’s performance, as it raced to a 32-0 lead at quarter time, before sinking five goals to one in the final term to generate the winning margin. It was Williamstown’s tackle pressure that proved too strong for Old Geelong, chasing down its opponents and forcing Geelong to execute skills ineffectively, while strong marking in the forward line allowed CY to score easily.

Williamstown’s Jack Gray, Ben Deller and Nicholas Ebinger all top scored with three goals, with Ebinger excellent for a second week in row, while Ben Connolly was awarded best on ground honours. Old Geelong skipper, Callum Wood, kicked two of Geelong’s four goals, with Josh Hoevenaars gallant in the ruck.

CY’s remains in top position for the fifth week in row, while Old Geelong drops from third to fourth after the loss. Old Geelong will return to Como Park in Round 6 looking to rebound against Peninsula, as Williamstown hosts St Mary’s Salesian at Fearon Park.

Old Camberwell utilised its advantage of a home game as it defeated Marcellin OC by 11 points in the tightest match of the round. The Wellers two wins this season have transpired in front of its home supporters at Gordon Barnard Reserve, and could potentially cause future concern for those who travel there. In a match that ebbed and flowed, the Eagles led by the slimmest of margins at the first and third quarter breaks, before Camberwell grinded (5.5 to 3.3) out the win.

Nick Latsis, James Allen and Nick Adamson each kicked three goals for the Wellers, with Joe Arnold named best on ground. Marcellin’s Jonathan Bortolotto and Jeremiah Antypas were the Eagles top goal scorers with two goals each, as Ashley Viney played his best game to date this season, judged best afield for the visitors. The win sees Old Camberwell rise up the ladder, jumping two spots to seventh, as Marcellin drops out of the top four into fifth place. Marcellin OC face another tough match-up when they play the undefeated Fiztroy FC at Brunswick Oval this weekend, while Old Camberwell remain at Gordon Barnard Reserve to host the PEGS Football Club.

Old Mentonians notched its second win of the season along with a nice percentage boost after they defeated Peninsula on the weekend by 71 points. Playing away from home, the Panthers took time to settle as Peninsula looked to burn the visitors with its pace across the wing. Tory Taylor (Peninsula’s only multiple goal-scorer) got the Pirates attack firing minutes after the first ball up, sinking a 40-metre set shot, though the Panthers eventually regained control and levelled, before forward Mitchell Coen took a one handed contested mark and went back to boot an excellent goal from outside 50. Minutes later, Coen repeated the effort, as the Panthers raced to a 31 point quarter time lead. It was a dominant third quarter from the Panthers that saw the score leap out to 71 points at the final break, before both teams kicked 2.2 in the final term to keep the margin fixed.

Old Mentonians’ Lachlan Boyd bagged another large haul in front of goal, kicking six, in a best on ground performance for the Panthers. Coen, also among the best, finished with four goals, alongside Matthew Hennig (four goals). Thomas Feldgen was best afield for Peninsula. The result causes Old Mentonians and Peninsula to essentially change position with one another on the ladder, with the Panthers moving from eighth to sixth and Peninsula dropping from sixth to eighth. Heading into round six, Old Mentonians continues its stretch on the road, playing Old Ivanhoe at Chelsworth Park. Peninsula will hope to turn its fortunes around after two losses in a row when it faces Old Geelong at Como Park.

PEGS Football Club’s seven unanswered goals in the final quarter caused an up-until-then close contest to extend out to a 40-point win against Old Ivanhoe at PEGS Sporting Field. The Bombers held a slim margin at every break, before a strong conversion rate (7.0) in the fourth term, all while holding Old Ivanhoe goalless, extended the margin. Adrian Romanyk continues his dominance down forward this season, kicking another nine majors, and lengthens his lead in the competition’s leading goal kicker by an even 10 goals. Alongside Romanyk, Tom McConville contributed another handy three goals, while David Fahey again notched another stellar game for the Bombers, among the best for the fourth week in a row. Adrian Del Monte top scored for the Hoers with four goals, while Brandon Lee and Mal Mitris contributed two each. Lee has proved a consistent contributor, slotting three goals in each of his three games this season.

Another win moves PEGS Football club up to third position, breaking the top four for the first time this season, while Old Ivanhoe moves down to ninth. The Hoers will host Old Mentonians in Round 6, as the Bombers must travel to face-off against Old Camberwell.