CY’s, Roys & Wellers?

Meg Saultry

Fitzroy FC proved too strong against Peninsula, heaping a 132-point demolition on the struggling team at Brunswick St Oval. The Pirates started strong and served up an early four point lead heading into the second term, before the Roys outscored the visitors to take an 18-point lead at the main break. But from then on it was all downhill for the Pirates, with 19 second half goals from Fitzroy blowing out the margin to disastrous levels. Fitzroy’s Nathan Jumeau was on fire in the forward line and finished with six majors, but was amply supported by 12 other goal scorers, while Jacob Long finished best afield. George Fletcher battled hard for the Pirates, while the usual suspects slotted the team’s major scores, with Sam Glenn, Tory Taylor and Nelson Forrest kicking one each. Fitzroy FC remain second on the ladder behind Williamstown CYMS and face to tough challenge with third placed Old Camberwell next week, while the Pirates lament close to the bottom in ninth but have a chance to win their third game next round against bottom-placed St Mary’s Salesian.

Williamstown CYMS continued to push the accelerator on their season, defeating a star struck St Mary’s Salesian by 101 points at Ferndale Park. The Saints were able to put up a admirable fight across the first half, trailing by only 24-points at half time, before CY took their game to a new level to kick nine goals to two in the third quarter. Playing in his first game since Round 8, Nicholas Ebinger came back in prime form and bagged himself seven majors in a Best on Ground showing, while Jack and Ben Gray each finished with impressive four goal hauls. Down the opposite end of the field, Manny Dolan spearheaded the Saints attack with four goals, with Nicholas Baxter also a positive influence to the Saints line-up. Williamstown CYMS hold a firm grip on the top spot with five rounds to go and face Marcellin OC next round, while St Mary’s Salesian look almost certain to face relegation, sitting at the bottom of the ladder. The Saints play a winnable game next week, against fellow bottom positioned Peninsula.

Old Mentonians scored their fourth win of the season with a comfortable 41-point victory over Old Ivanhoe at Keysborough Playing Fields. It was a tight opening term, where only one point separated the two teams after the first break, before the Panthers incrementally increased their lead over each quarter. Jack Davis led his team’s attack, kicking five goals for the Panthers, while Lewis Oliver and Aaron Hodges also starred. Will Gough was best afield for the Hoers, with Adrian Del Monte finding the goal on five occasions. Old Mentonians remain in eighth and will face tough opponents, Old Geelong, next round. Old Ivanhoe continue to endure in seventh, three wins out of the Top 4, and play PEGS Football Club next week as both teams desperately try to remain in finals contention.  

Old Geelong kept themselves firmly in finals contention with a 37-point win over Marcellin OC at Marcellin College. In a straight forward victory, Old Geelong led by 20 points at the main break, before extending their lead out to 37 by the final siren. The Eagles were able to lift and contest play in both the second and fourth quarters better than their predecessors, but never looked within striking distance of their opponents. Old Geelong’s Josh Hoevanaars and Colby O’Brien were impressive down forward with three goals apiece, while Will Horsfall was equally as dominant around the ground. Marcellin’s Lachlan Rush was his side most prolific scorer with four goals, with Matt Gasparini also producing a stand out performance. Old Geelong remain in the Top 4 after the win and will look to further consolidate their standings when they play the Panthers next week. Marcellin OC now sit two wins out of the Top 4 and play a must win game against competition leaders Williamstown CYMS in Round 14.

Old Camberwell’s dominant final quarter helped steal a 10-point win over PEGS Football Club at PEGS Spotring Fields on Saturday. The Wellers held slight leads of two and four points respectively over the first half, before the Bombers spearheaded a third term coup to take a 10-point lead by the final break. But four final quarter goals to the Wellers reversed the score and gifted the visitors the win. Strong defensive work by Cameron Wilson and Simon Bennett was imperative in keeping the Bombers forward line, in particular the competition’s leading goal scorer Adrian Romanyk quiet. Joe Arnold helped his side build their match winning lead with three majors, while Ben Hart was again impressive in the middle. PEGS’ forward Jackson Young attempted to keep his side in the game with three goals himself, while Max Philpot and David Fahey were again their side’s best players. Old Camberwell remain in third after the round but face-off against fellow Top-4 side Fitzroy FC in Round 14, while PEGS Football Club sit one win out of a Top-4 berth in fifth. They will continue to push their case for finals as they attempt to beat lower positioned Old Ivanhoe next round.