OMs enter top four, Xavs register big win

Old Melburnians entered the William Buck Premier top four after they recorded their third win from four games, defeating Old Trinity by 65 points at Elsternwick Park. Six unanswered goals in the first term gave OMs a 37-point lead at the first break. The T’s kicked four goals to three in the second term, but it ended up being the only quarter they won, with OMs kicking five goals to one in the fourth. Tim Marshall and Stu Watson each had a day out with four goals for OMs, while Watson was also named best afield. The T’s, who now fall below OMs and into fifth spot on the ladder, were led admirably by Ben Howell and Christos Manoussakis but will await the return of Brendan Iezzi, Harry Tinney, Gabe Hamilton and a host of other injured players after the bye round.

Collegians put a one-game buffer between themselves and Old Brighton with an 18-point victory over the Tonners at Brighton Beach Oval. Despite having two less scoring shots (18-20), the Lions proved accurate in front of goal, epitomised by their 8.2 second term. Alexander Croft banked four goals for the second week in a row and Campbell Walker was named BOG. Harry Hill was instrumental for the Tonners yet again while Levi Otto was their only multiple goal kicker. Both sides remain second and third on the ladder respectively, with the Tonners two games clear of OMs in fourth.

Old Xaverians registered a much-needed victory as they defeated University Blues by 52 points at Toorak Park. Xavs held a 16-point lead at half time before exploding out of the main break with 10 goals to four in the second half. Denis Symeopoulos and Jason Holmes were outstanding for Xavs while Matt Handley top-scored with three goals. Xavs shared the load with 13 individual goal kickers. Patrick Hayes continued his strong form for the Blues as did Connor Lappin, but they now sit a game and a half outside the four in sixth, one spot above the Xavs.

St Kevin’s OB bounced back from last week’s loss to Collegians with a 28-point victory over De La Salle at TH King Oval. Just one goal was kicked in a slow-starting opening term, before SKOB kicked eight goals to six through the second and third, ultimately proving the difference. They were inaccurate in front of goal with 11.17 but it mattered little as they kept De La to 8.7. Billy Kanakis continued his standout form in front of goals with four, while Gerard Gleeson and Mitch Brown found plenty of the ball. Adrian Indovino returned to the De La line up with three goals and Lachlan Walker was named their best player. De La now enter the half way mark of the year in eighth spot on the ladder with three wins.

Five goals to two in the fourth term allowed Old Scotch to claim their second win in a row, defeating St Bedes/Mentone Tigers by 18 points at Brindisi St Oval. Scores were level at 55-55 at three quarter time, but it was the Cardinals who finished stronger with Aidan Franetic leading the way with four majors in a BOG display. Jack Bull chipped in with three goals for the Cardinals, while Simon Richards and Luke Velluto were standouts for the Tigers. The win puts a one-game buffer between Scotch (9^th) and the Tigers (10^th) on the ladder.