Wellers secure finals as OGs maintain strong form

Old Camberwell secured a finals berth when the defeated St Mary’s Salesian by 95 points at Ferndale Park. The Wellers kicked five goals to one in a dominant opening term and maintained their stranglehold with 18 goals to six in the final three quarters. Simon Bennett’s sensational individual season continued with a BOG display for the Wellers, while Alex Taverner (5) and Matthew Powell (4) led the charge in front of goal. Ben Andrews kicked two and was a standout for the Saints as they look to finish their season with a match-up against Old Mentonians. The Wellers are now two games clear of Marcellin with one round remaining.

Old Geelong proved too strong for Old Ivanhoe as they ran out 37-point winners at Chelsworth Park.  Trailing by one point at half time, the OGs piled on 11 goals to five in the second half with Christian Hatzis leading the charge with three. Colby O’Brien kicked two in a BOG performance, while Adrian Del Monte led the way with three goals for the Hoers. Old Geelong remain third while the Hoers’ slim finals hopes are now over as they sit sixth and three games behind the Wellers.

Williamstown CYMS claimed a confidence-boosting 22-point victory over Fitzroy in a battle of the top two sides at Fearon Reserve. The CYs trailed by six points at the first break, but four unanswered goals to Rob Chan, Jack Noonan, Jack Gray and Finlay Adamson gave them a 19-point lead at the half. While the Roys came within eight points at the last break, it was a final two goals to Gray and Noonan that solidified the CY’s 16^th win of the year and top spot in Premier C. Yuma Hemphill was named BOG for the CY’s, while Nathan Ligris starred for the Roys.

Marcellin ended Peninsula’s three-game winning streak with a 12-point victory at Marcellin College. Neither side handled the blustery conditions particularly well with 12.30 kicked for the day, but it was the Eagles’ two unanswered goals in the third term that ultimately proved the difference. Patrick Lunn was a standout for the Eagles, while Stefan Barbour kicked three of the Pirates’ five goals. The ninth-placed Peninsula are now a game and more than 20% behind the Panthers.

Old Mentonians went one step closer to avoiding relegation with a 25-point triumph over PEGS at PEGS Sporting Fields. Lachlan Boyd was outstanding with six of the Panthers’ seven goals, while Max Philpot fought gallantly for the Bombers. Mentone are now a game and 21% above Peninsula with a Round 18 clash against the 10^th-placed Saints next week.