Eagles, Wellers threaten four in Premier C

Meg Saultry

It was a thriller out at Chelsworth Park to start the round, as Marcellin overcame a five goal half time deficit to shatter the hearts of Old Ivanhoe by a slim seven points. The Hoers came out firing, using manic pressure to outplay the Eagles before getting the ball to skipper Mal Mitris who finished with four first half goals. With Old Ivanhoe up by 30 points at half time, the Eagles begun to work themselves back and reel the Hoers lead down to 11, before dominating play in the final quarter. The Hoers desperately tried to send the ball down to Mitris and Nick Reeves-Smyth in the dying minutes to salvage a win, but to no avail. Eagles forward Daniel McMahon (4) spearheaded his teams return up the scoreboard, kicking three of his goals in the second half, while Isaac Nolan (3) had an impressive day out in his first senior appearance, kicking Marcellin’s first two goals. Shaun Tyquin was judged best afield, while Patrick Howe was vital for his attack inside 50. Old Ivanhoe sits in seventh after the loss, while Marcellin coincidently drop from fifth to sixth due to percentage. The Hoers face a tough challenge against Old Geelong at Como Park in Round 9 while the Eagles travel to the Peninsula to take on the Pirates.

After an underwhelming performance against Old Geelong last week, PEGS Football Club reminded the competition that they can match it with the top teams, upsetting previously-undefeated Fitzroy FC by 16 points at PEGS Sporting Fields. Fitzroy’s inaccuracy in front of goal proved costly, finishing the first quarter with 3.8 to muster a 13-point lead, before the Bombers kicked three unanswered goals to take a lead of 10 points into the main break. The Roys again failed to impact the scoreboard, converting 1.6 in the third term, and while they rectified their wayward scoring in the final term, the Bombers outscored them to take the four points. Max Philpot put in another fine performance, finishing best afield and slotting two goals for the Bombers, while Adrian Romanyk contributed a handy two majors to take his season tally to 40. Nino Lazzaro and Sam Baker each kicked two goals apiece for the Roys as Max Ellis again proved he is Fitzroy’s most consistent player so far this season. It was Fitzroy’s lack of an even team contribution, something they deliver on every week, that hurt them the most. Fitzroy’s first loss drops them back into second and they must beat the in-form Old Camberwell to return to the winners list. The Bombers remain a win inside the top four, but face new competition leader Williamstown CYMS next.

Williamstown CYMS have not let their first loss of the season rattle the cage, rebounding to hand Peninsula a lethal lashing to the tune of 134 points at Fearon Reserve. With the game seemingly over by half time, CY passed the 100-point mark before the end of the third quarter, with forward Nick Ebinger at his most dangerous with seven goals for the day. Ben Gray was also influential down forward with five, while Jack Gray was a welcome inclusion and finished with four. Jacob Wheelahan was named best afield while Dylan Jones played his best game of the season so far. Blake Hillman was Peninsula’s lone shining star, the best of the Pirates with his two goals. It was a brief one-week demotion for Williamstown, who return to the top of the ladder ahead of Fitzroy FC through superior percentage, though they face the in-form PEGS Football Club in Round 9 which should be the match-up of the round. Peninsula remain at the lower end of the competition in ninth, unable to kick start their season, and must return home to face another tough opponent in Marcellin.

Old Camberwell continues its rise up the ladder, handing St Mary Salesian a 50-point beating at Gordon Barnard Reserve. It ends an impressive month for the Wellers who have won three of their last four games, while moving from tenth to fifth to threaten for a top 4 spot. The Wellers looked in control for most of the match, continually building its lead, though St Mary’s did fight to win the second quarter. Amongst the Wellers best, Chris Hensby and Ben Hart dominated through the middle, Simon Bennett and Cam Wilson provided height in defence and there were multiple avenues to goal with Nick Latsas, Robert Campbell and Alex Taverner all finishing with three. Louis Holmes (4) and Manny Dolan (3) were again the Saints saving grace down forward, while James Curwood fought hard for the visitors. The Saints remain lodged in last place, but have a prime opportunity to win their second game against the eighth placed Old Mentonians, while the Wellers try to nab a big scalp against Fitzroy FC.

Old Geelong continues its consistent run of form, winning their third in a row against the Old Mentonians by a comfortable 37 points at Keysborough Playing Fields. Despite only boasting a lead of five points at quarter time, the OGs consistently built their match winning lead across the remaining three quarters, with the Panthers never truly challenging the visitors. Old Geelong’s Jock Grimshaw was back to his best and found the middle of the sticks on five occasions, his last bag of five coming out of Round 4. Jeremy Nettlefold played his best game this season through the midfield, earning himself best on ground honours, while Will Sloss and Matt Kirkword were again dominant in the midfield and backline respectively. Matthew Coen, Kyle Conlon and Matthew Henning shared goal kicking duties for the Panthers, sneaking two majors each, while Darcy Brown was his sides best for a second week in a row. Old Geelong remain firmly in third and face off against seventh placed Old Ivanhoe in round nine, while the Old Mentonians face a must-win battle against St Mary’s Salesian.