Kings of Premier C pounce

Meg Saultry

Touted as the game of the season thus far as both undefeated sides finally came face to face, it was Fitzroy FC who came out on top in a convincing 45-point win over Williamstown CYMS at Brunswick St Oval. It was all over by half time, as Fitzroy piled on 13 goals to two, and while Williamstown were more competitive in the second half, it was not enough to draw back the lead. Nathan Jumeau and Bernie Wright each booted three goals for the winning side, while Toby Hudson-Bevege was at his influential best. Williamstown has always had a slew of contributors in their victories this season, but failed to match it against the likes of the Roys. Nevertheless, Jack Noonan was the best down forward with three majors, and Nick Blackney was also prominent for the CY’s. The Roys seize the top of the ladder from Williamstown for the first time this season with the latter dropping down to second. In Round 8, Williamstown CYMS will have a strong chance to put this loss behind them as they host Peninsula at Fearon Park, as Fitzroy FC travel to continue their perfect start to the season against PEGS Football Club.

Old Ivanhoe held off a much more competitive St Mary’s Salesian at Ferndale Park, walking away victors by 22 points. The Saints held an eight-point lead at quarter time, converting their opportunities far more than the Hoers, before the visitors slotted eight goals to three in the second to lead at half time by a solid 20 points. It was another battle in the third as the Saints returned fire and brought the lead back within two kicks heading into the final term, but the Hoers held strong and ran out the game. Skipper Mal Mitris was imposing for the Hoers, kicking six in a best-on-ground performance, while Carl Groth finished with three and Nick Reeves-Smyth put together another dominant performance. Manny Dolan was at his best, booting eight goals to be the Saints best for the day, as Jackson Strangward slotted a handy three. The Saints stay in last after a third straight loss while Old Ivanhoe remains in the hunt in seventh. The Hoers return to Chelsworth Park to host Marcellin OC, as the Saints look for their second win against Old Camberwell.

After kicking 19 goals over the last two week, PEGS’s Adrian Romanyk was well held by Old Geelong’s Matthew Kirkwood who helped OG run to a 38-point victory at Geelong Grammar. Kirkwood’s performance earned him best-on-ground selection, with Romanyk’s influence curbed to two goals. It was a fruitful first quarter for Old Geelong with Liam Maiden kicking the team’s first within 30 seconds of play, before the side was able to capitalise on the Bombers poor ball use in the middle to control the play for most of the quarter. PEGS lost Zach Genovesi early in the match after he came off the field clutching his shoulder from a heavy tackle. It was a straightforward win from there for OG as they held the Bombers goalless in the last term to run out victors. Matt Bird was Old Geelong’s leading goal scorer with three, while Tom Balcombe joined Kirkwood among OG’s best. Romanyk was still the Bombers only multiple goal scorer with his two majors, as David Fahey was once again important for the visitors. The win pushes Geelong up into third, as the Bombers drop into fourth and must play against the undefeated Fiztroy FC next round. Old Geelong will face off against Old Mentonians as they push for a top two position.

Going down to the wire, Marcellin OC held off the Old Mentonians to win by a slim seven points at Keysborough Playing Fields in Round 7. It was the Panthers who held the lead in the first term, and entered halftime up by two goals, though inaccuracy killed their chance of a bigger lead. It was the Eagles who took charge in the second half, stealing the lead by three quarter time before holding off the opposition in the final term to seal their third win of the season. Marcellin’s Jeremiah Antypas had another fruitful day down forward kicking five, while James Robertson was equally as dangerous with four. Rowan McKenzie and Ashley Viney were among the victors best. Lachlan Boyd was at his best for Marcellin by booting four goals, with Darcy Brown and Keiffer Smith-Cameron also impressing for the Panthers. The Eagles remain seated in fifth place, one win outside the Top 4 and will hope to make their case against Old Ivanhoe in Round 8. The Panthers drop one place into eighth and will want to get their season back on track with a win against similarly placed Old Ivanhoe.

Peninsula’s season continues to suffer after Old Camberwell subjected the Pirates to its fourth straight loss with an old-fashioned thrashing of 70 points at Peninsula School. While the Pirates looked competitive across the first half, the Wellers held the lead from half time onwards and ran out the match much better than their opponents as they piled on five answered goals. Alex Taverner was the forward to beat, kicking four, while Ben Hart was back to his dangerous best alongside Chris Hensby. Sam Harrison helped the Pirates stay competitive with three goals, while Mitchell Glenn was the best for the losing side. The Pirates have lost by an average 63 points across their last four games and they endure in ninth place dangerously ahead of St Mary’s only by percentage. The win moves Old Camberwell up into sixth, with the Wellers keen to get two wins on the trot when they come up against St Mary’s Salesian in Round 8. Peninsula’s season may get worse before it gets better as they face the formidable Wiliamstown CYMS away from home.