Panthers, Blacks top of the pack, Bloods, Blues left looking for clues

Alisha Min

The trend of big wins continued in Round 5 of Premier B, with an average winning margin a 61 points across the competition.

To kick off the round, Beaumaris hosted the then ladder-leaders, University Blacks, off the back of their Match Day Lunch function at Banksia Reserve. The confident Blacks started the first term positively, keeping the home side to a solitary point, but an inspired second quarter by the Sharks saw them enter the main break on level playing fields with 40 points apiece. The Blacks came out in the third with a vengeance, stifling the Beaumaris run-on and limiting them to one major while they kicked away with five goals, a feat that was mirrored in the final term when the Blacks again tallied another five. John Vrodos was again excellent for the winners, supporting his five goal outing last week with three more in Round 5, while Lachlan Huntington’s golden boot kept on kicking, snagging another five majors to uphold his title as the leading Premier B goalkicker. Anthony Carroll was instrumental for the Sharks, earning himself back-to-back BOG accolades for the side, while Lewis Diggins and Matthew Petering were good around the ground.

Although the Blacks finished the encounter as 33 point victors, they would be hoping to convert their 19 behinds to more majors in the upcoming three rounds if they want to come out on top in their tough encounters against Caulfield Grammarians (4-1), St Bernards (4-1) and Old Carey (5-0).

Mazenod were able to shake off their losing streak when they overcame Monash Blues by a compelling 69 points at Frearson Oval. It was a bleak outlook for the home side after a goalless first quarter, but a consolidated second quarter effort saw them trail the Nodders by only 12 points heading into the major break – their closest half time deficit for the season. The hope for a competitive result was quashed for the Blues in the third, when the Nodders were able to pile on seven unanswered goals, putting the game well and truly out of reach for the bottom of the table Blues. Shaun Lovell was awarded Best by the away team for his impressive performance, while Tom McKenna was at his consistent best and Matthew Fewings contributed with four majors. Nicholas Petering was again good for the home side with his around the ground efforts and single goal, and was named Best for the Blues.

It was another win on the trot for Old Carey when they downed Parkdale Vultures by 68 points at Gerry Green Reserve. True to form, the Panthers put the game away early when they blew the Vultures out of the park by 44 points in the first half alone. For Old Carey, Kristian Jaksch was elite, adding another five majors to his season tally, whilst Henry Schade notched his first BOG outing in a very consistent and well drilled Panthers line up. With five single goal scorers contributing to the Parkdale total, the Best honours were given to Charlie Dillon, Adam Knight and Brayden Stevenson for their solid efforts around the ground and off the ball.

It was an unrelenting four quarter effort at Glenhuntly Oval which ensued Caulfield Grammarians ten goal win over Ajax in Round 5. This fifth v sixth position match was an important test for both teams; for Ajax, a step out of their slump and back into the winners books, and for the Fields, a validation of their form and genuine contention in the Premier B competition come finals. To the Fields credit, it was their competitive approach to this game, evident from the word go, which secured them the important 4 points. The Fields managed to build upon their 20 point margin after the first quarter by 30 points and 45 points respectively at the half time and the third quarter break. Declan Reilley and Timothy Nixon were imposing in front of the big sticks, scoring five and three majors respectively, while Will Osborn’s three goal effort earnt him the BOG honour for the winning side. Jake Lew scored three of the Jackas eight goals for the match, while Justin Berkowitz and Kane Nissenbaum were named the away side’s Best.

In the final game of the round, St Bernards upheld their high-scoring reputation when they downed the win-less Old Haileyburians by 72 points at Princes Park Caulfield. Setting the scene early in the piece, the Snow Dogs unyielding first half saw them enter the main break 49 points in front of the Bloods. Chad Jones’ was on song yet again with his six goal display, backing up his incredible nine goal haul and BOG accolade from Round 4, while Nicholas Cooke and Christopher Hughes were also prominent throughout. For the Bloods, Peter Shakallis and Corey Connelly (2) were notable throughout, but it just wasn’t enough to falter the Snow Dogs score power.

PREVIEW

Old Carey should be able to maintain their undefeated status when they host Old Haileyburians at Carey Sports Complex in Round 6. The Bloods will need to produce much more than their 53 point average if they want to be at all competitive against the top of the table Panthers. Old Carey will be feeling very confident about this one, especially after 4 of their side’s best in Sam Crocker, Sam Cust, Kristian Jaksch and Henry Schade were named in the Big V Squad; the most of any team in the Premier B competition.

After an impressive Round 5 victory over Monash Blues to get them back on the winners train, Mazenod will be looking to pull an upset over the in-form St Bernards. As the highest scoring team in the Premier B competition, the Snow Dogs are certainly a force to be reckoned with. The Nodders will need to combat goal scoring star Chad Jones, and consistent BOG performers Adam Bentick and Jake Maher, if they have any chance of exiting Round 6 with four points.

Ajax’s solitary victory for the season in Round 1 must seem like fading memory as they prepare for another tough outing against Beaumaris at Gary Smorgan Oval. This will be the first meeting between the two former AFL coaches, Guy McKenna and Mark Williams, for the 2018 season – with a win keeping Beaumaris in touch with the top 4, and a loss potentially dragging the Jackas further down the Premier B ladder. An instrumental part of the Sharks line up, and newly announced Big V Squad member, Stephen Milne, will be critical for the away side in this match – though an injured hamstring sustained in the weekend’s spout against Uni Blacks could inhibit him from taking the field.

Back at home at Gerry Green Reserve, Parkdale Vultures will be plying for an opposite result to their Old Carey clash when they host the struggling Monash Blues. Fresh off their highest round score for the season (50 points), the Blues should remain optimistic about attaining their first four points for the season given they will face the second lowest scoring side in the league. The Vultures will be seeking to improve their 44 point average, and emulate their Round 4 success, when they take the field.

It’s the beginning of a tough three rounds for University Blacks as they host the respectable Caulfield Grammarians at Melbourne University Oval. There is a lot to like about the former Premier C Fields, who’s only loss of the season was at the hands of the undefeated Panthers, but securing a win against the Blacks (2nd) will be a tough challenge for the away side who’s wins thus far have been against Monash Blues (10th), Old Haileyburians (9th), Beaumaris (5th) and Ajax (7th).