Lions take top spot as relegation opens right up in William Buck Premier

University Blues caused an upset as they registered their fifth win of the season, defeating St Kevin’s OB by 46 points at Uni Oval. Seven goals to three in the opening half set the scene for the Blues, before kicking another six majors and holding SKOB to just two in the third and fourth terms. Ayce Cordy kicked four goals in a BOG performance for the Blues alongside four from Tim Harper. Cam Hodges continued his outstanding form as the best for SKOB, but they now fall into second spot behind the Lions. Blues climb to fifth and just one game behind the T’s in fourth.

Collegians claimed top spot on the William Buck premier ladder with a hard-fought nine-point victory over Old Xaverians at Harry Trott Oval. After losing to Xavs earlier in the season, the Lions pieced together a strong first half and led by 27 points at the main break. The Xavs came hard in the second half with six goals to three but fell short as Lions forwards Lachlan Ferguson and Will Johnson returned to form with three goals each. Matt Jenkinson was named best for the Lions, while Tomi and Clay Johnston led the charge for the Xavs. While the Lions replace SKOB at the top of the table, Xavs fall into ninth spot, 1% below Scotch in eighth.

De La Salle proved far too strong for Old Scotch as they ran out 47-point winners at Camberwell Sports Ground for their second consecutive victory. De La made the most of a slight breeze in the first term and kicked three unanswered goals, before turning it on with another five goals to two in the second. Scotch brought physical pressure early in the third, but the La Sallians withstood the barrage and kicked another six goals to five in the second half. Adrian Indovino had a day out for De La with seven goals, while Jason Tutt and Jake Williams provided dash from half back. Brendan Close continued his own outstanding year as their best player. Ruckman Lachlan Waddell kicked two goals and was best for the Cardinals while U19 Big V representative Max Martin registered two of his own. In direct contrast to De La, Scotch have now suffered two losses and sit eighth, two spots below De La.

A host of inclusions helped Old Brighton snap their two-game losing streak, defeating Old Melburnians by 41 points at Elsternwick Park. The Tonners welcomed back players the ilk of Harry Hill, Dylan Verney, Elliot Le Grice and Fraser Gregson as they exploded with six goals to one in the opening term. Things evened out thereafter with the Tonners kicking another eight goals to the OM’s six in the last three quarters. Levi Otto top-scored with three goals for the Tonners alongside standout performances from Ben Jakobi (1) and Le Grice. Al Armstrong booted four of the OM’s seven goals and teammate Sam Hooper continued his strong form. The Tonners are now two and a half games clear in third again, while OMs fall from fifth to seventh.

St Bedes/Mentone made it three wins in a row after they defeated Old Trinity by 45 points at Brindisi St Oval. On a special day for the club where they were raising money for the Maddie Reiwoldt Foundation through a game dedicated to Jane Barnes, the Tigers kicked away with 10 of the first 14 goals and continued to add scoreboard pressure throughout the match. Michael Barnes booted three goals in a BOG display, while Josh Cowan and Liam Sumner added three of their own. Ed Weatherson kicked four goals in his best outing since returning from injury, while Harry Tinney and Harry Thompson continued their incredible individual form. The T’s remain fourth but just one game ahead of the Blues and 14% less, while the Tigers remain 10^th but on the same number of wins as Xavs and Scotch.