Tigers keep season alive in one-point thriller, Cardinals tame Tonners

St Bedes/Mentone Tigers kept their season alive in the game of the year, defeating Old Xaverians by one point in a thriller at Brindisi St Oval. The Tigers, who were on a nine-game losing streak, trailed by 35 points in the first half but worked their way back into the match with six goals to two in the third term. The lead changed several times in the fourth as both sides dug deep; however, a Xavs missed set shot after the siren solidified the Tigers’ second win for the season. Nathan Smith starred with five goals in a BOG display for the Tigers, while George Rowlands and Stephen Tahana were outstanding. Tahana capped off a brilliant performance with a mark of the year contender in the third (footage below). Dan Noonan led from the front for Xavs with an impressive display and Matt Handley kicked three goals to take his season tally to 34. The much-needed win brings the Tigers to within a game of both De La Salle and Xavs at the bottom of the ladder.

Old Scotch pieced together their most dominant performance of the season, running out 107-point winners against Old Brighton at Scotch College. 11 goals to two in the first half set the scene for the Cardinals’ fourth win on the trot before running out the game with a further 13 goals to five in the final two terms. Harry Larwill had a day out in front of goal with seven majors, making it 13 from his past three games. Jack Bull and Nick Jamieson were phenomenal yet again for the Cardinals, while Stu Hooy and Will Lewis fought hard for the Tonners. The Tonners were missing important players such as Harry Hill and Tom Fisher but 37 scoring shots to 15 gives an indication of the Cardinals’ dominance. Scotch are now a game and a half outside the four with the third best percentage in the competition, while the Tonners remain third and two and a half games clear of fourth.

Accurate kicking in front of goal helped St Kevin’s OB to their 10th win of the season as they defeated Old Trinity by three points at Daley Oval. Despite having seven less scoring shots than the T’s, SKOB kicked 10 goals from their 12 scoring shots as opposed to the T’s eight goals from 19. Nick Wood starred in a BOG performance for SKOB and Billy Kanakis booted three goals. Jack Hunt was sensational in his 150th game for the T’s as was Emerson Satur. Both sides remain first and fourth on the ladder, but the T’s are now just one win ahead of the Blues in sixth.

University Blues proved too strong for De La Salle at the Uni Oval as they ran out 23-point winners in another crucial Round 11 clash. The Blues shot out to a 14-point lead at the first break and continued to play the game on their terms as De La rarely threatened. Ayce Cordy continued his elite form in the ruck with another outstanding performance for the Blues and Tim Geappen had his most productive scoring output for the season with four goals. Jake Williams and Liam Murphy continued his impressive form for De La, but the team is now just one game ahead of the Tigers in ninth spot on the ladder while the Blues are sixth and just one game behind the T’s in fourth.

Collegians flexed their muscle against Old Melburnians with a comprehensive 95-point victory at Elsternwick Park. Four unanswered first quarter goals kick-started the Lions’ dominance as they built upon their lead every term thereafter. Billy Riddle was the star in front of goal with five while young gun Nathan Boucher kicked four in a BOG performance.Jordan Hooper and Angus Hicks were the best of the OMs boys, who remain fifth on the ladder and three spots below the Lions.