Roys end Weller’s winning run

Meg Saultry

Williamstown CYMS kept their winning record in tact with a dominant 65-point victory over Marcellin OC at Fearon Reserve. With both sides last meeting in Round 4, where CY comfortably held the Eagles by 50 points, it proved a similar spectacle 10 rounds later. Up by three goals at the first break, CY added six goals in the second term to hold a 51-point lead by half-time. The Eagles second half proved much more competitive than their first, with CY only able to add two more goals onto their match winning margin by the end of the game. CY’s Tom Johnstone stood out with an impressive BOG performance, while an even contribution in front of goal (six players kicking two goals each) meant it was an overall team effort by CY. Daniel McMahon was the Eagles only multiple goal scorer with two majors, while teammate Sebastian Beale was best afield. CY remain a win ahead of the their next rivals – Fitzroy FC – at the top of the ladder and will travel to face PEGS next round. The loss drops Marcellin OC down into 7th, with the club facing a must win battle against St Mary’s Salesian next round if they are to keep their slim finals chances alive.

PEGS finals chances have taken a slight detour after an unfavourable 88-point loss to Old Ivanhoe at Chelsworth Park. The Hoers dominated early with a seven goal opening term spree, before the Bombers went into damage control in the second quarter and won the term. But the effort and pressure wasn’t sustainable for the Bombers, with the Hoers going on to kick 11 second half goals to blow out the score. Adrian Del Monte was on fire in the Hoers forward line and finished with seven majors. After a number of quiet performances from PEGS’ star forward Adrian Romanyk (1), Del Monte is clawing back Romanyk’s lead in the competition’s leading goal tally, with only 11 majors now separating the two. Old Ivanhoe’s skipper Mal Mitris was another dominant figure for the home side, kicking five, while Sam Geilings was named BOG in the win. Jackson Young was one of the Bombers best with his three goal haul, while Robert Baddeley also impressed. The Bombers remain in 5th position in the competition but now sit two wins outside the top four with four rounds remaining. This is further complicated by the challenge of hosting competition leaders Williamstown CYMS next round. Old Ivanhoe (6^th + three wins outside top four) face their own test next week when they play off against Old Camberwell.

A top four finish was further solidified for Old Geelong after they subjected a 67-point hiding onto Old Mentonians at Como Park. The OG’s six goal opening term set the standard early, which they followed up with a steady effort across the remainder of the quarters. Defensively, the OGs were equally as impressive and held the Panthers to just a few goals in each of the terms. Sam Anderson was a dominant force down forward for the OGs and finished with five goals in a BOG performance while Scott Dixon turned in a very handy three goal effort. Jehtt Brazionis impressed for the Panthers, while Luke Hull and Lachlan Boyd put their team on the board with two goals each. Old Geelong move into 3rd after the win and have a comfortable two win buffer ahead of those challenging for a spot in finals. They must play a Pirates team coming off of a win, but will be firm favourites heading into the clash. At the opposite end of the ladder, the Panthers remain in 8th but now only sit one win outside the relegation zone, and will need to finish the season strong if they are to avoid that fate. They face 2nd placed Fitzroy FC next week in a tough match up.

Old Camberwell’s seven match winning streak has finally come to an end, and it was seven goals in the third quarter that did it, with Fitzroy FC ultimately running out 59 point victors at Gordon Barnard Reserve. Weller’s big man Robert Campbell kept his side alive with four goals to finish as his Camberwell’s best, while Nick Adamson added another two to the scoreboard. But it wasn’t enough against a dependable Fitzroy side, with Sunny Brazier (4) and Nathan Jumeau (3) combining down forward and former skipper Rory Angiolella a central figure through the middle on the ground. The loss sees Old Camberwell move in 4th through percentage, and will need a win against Old Ivanhoe next week if they want to further tighten their grip on a top four finish. Fitzroy FC’s final berth is already locked in, but they will look to continue their winning form with a victory against Old Mentonians in Round 15.

After several blow out games, it was Peninsula and St Mary’s Salesian who battled it out in the closest match of the round. In the end, it was the Pirates who recorded their third win of the season with a seven point victory over the Saints at Peninsula School. The Pirates held a slim lead all day, with the margin never extending past nine points, and after heading into the final quarter with a two point buffer, the Pirates held on and ran out the match with a goal for the much needed win. Blake Hillman was best afield for the home side, while four Pirates kicked two goals each, including skipper Sam Glenn. Saints forwards’ Manny Dolan and Louis Holmes were again their team’s most prolific scorers with three majors apiece, while skipper Heath Chipperfield (2) led from the front to finish as his sides best. While the win fails to move Peninsula out of 9th on the ladder, they now sit one win outside 8th, and will play out the rest of the season for a chance to get themselves out of the relegation zone. They face Old Geelong next week, while St Mary’s Salesian (10th) play Marcellin OC