Snow Dogs’ perfect start to Premier B finals campaign

Alisha Min

What a week to set the tone for the St Bernard’s finals campaign in Premier B. The club solidified their minor premiership title with an emphatic 154-point win over Ajax, their spearhead Chad Jones kicked his 100^th (and 101^st) goal, and their U23’s side in Thirds Section 3 won the premiership flag on Sunday morning – talk about a hard act to follow!

Other than percentage improvements and reductions, little changed in this competition’s ladder following the eighteenth and final round of the home & away season. Led by Keegan Stewart (6), Nathan Page (3) and Will Barker (3), Caulfield Grammarians solidified their third finals berth in three years (2016 & 2017 – Premier C) with a fifth consecutive win over 6^th placed Parkdale Vultures, while the aforementioned Snow Dogs confirmed Ajax’s relocation to Premier C in 2019 with their 25+ goal win at Gary Smorgan Oval.

With their stars aligning, especially Kristian Jaksch with his four goal haul, Old Carey lodged an always appreciated, confidence boosting win when they took care of Monash Blues (8^th) by 63 points at home. Perhaps spurred on by the success of their Thirds side, who took out the Section 5 premiership flag on Sunday afternoon, the Blues will be thrilled to reboot their campaign in the Premier B competition next season, an outcome which looked nigh on impossible considering they loitered in relegation territory for 15 of the 18 rounds this year. The same fate cannot be shared with Mazenod (10^th) as their tough season was finally put to bed via a 113-point deficit to the finals destined University Blacks. The Blacks flaunted their stamina and depth in talent in the final term, with the likes of Joel Ernest (4), Luke Seviour (3), John Vrodos (3) and Angus Locke (3) putting on a goal-kicking masterclass. Though they finished their season on an unmistakeable high, putting Old Haileybury (7^th) to the sword by 29 points and sending off AFL gun and Beaumaris legend, Stephen Milne, with a bang, the Sharks find themselves sidelined by way of percentage from a 2018 finals appearance in Premier B.

SEMI-FINAL 1: UNIVERSITY BLACKS v CAULFIELD GRAMMARIANS

SUNDAY 2.00PM, TREVOR BARKER OVAL

CURRENT FORM

Uni Blacks: LWWWW

Caulfield Grammarians: WWWWW

HEAD TO HEAD

2-0

The Blacks hold ascendancy in these side’s head to head clashes to date, winning in both Round 6 and Round 13 by 14 and 35 points, respectively. In their Round 6 encounter, only a solitary goal separated the two sides at the first interchange; a telling sign of the close battle which ensued. The Blacks, led by Jordan Quaile (1) and Campbell Moorfield, had an impressive 19-point lead heading into halftime which could have been greater if not marred by missed opportunities (3.7). Though the Fields intensity, led by Jordan Stewart (4) and Declan Reilly, was clear to see, highlighted in the fourth term when they outscored the home side 4.4 to 3.2, the polished Blacks never relinquished their advantage. Fast-forward to Round 13, and a similar story of middle-of-the-game dominance unfolded for the Blacks at Glenhuntly Oval. Though the scoreline was relatively even early in the piece, a telling “premiership” quarter in the third, where the Uni boys pilled on 60 points to the Fields 1.2, sealed the games fate despite the gallant efforts of both Keegan (2) and Jordan (2) Stewart.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

University Blacks: Lochie Dornauf and Hugh Curnow

Dornauf has had absolute ‘field’ days in the Blacks matches with 4^th placed Caulfield so far in 2018. On both occasions, Dornauf has earnt the BOG honours for the prevailing University side by way of a six-goal haul in Round 6, as well as a very commendable four majors in Round 13. Curbing Dornauf’s influence will go a long way if the Fields are to cause the upset, though plenty of others donning the Blacks jumper, like Hugh Curnow, have an affinity for goals (Lachlan Huntington, John Vrodos, Joel Beasely).

Caulfield Grammarians: Tim Nixon and Keegan Stewart

Club captain and Big V B-D4 captain, Nixon’s on-field leadership and unwavering work rate around stoppages could really break this elimination final open for the Fields. This can especially be the case with able support from Keegan Stewart up forward, the Fields leading goalkicker who is coming off a game-high bag of six majors in Round 18.

SEMI-FINAL 2: ST BERNARD’S V OLD CAREY

SATURDAY 2.00PM, BOX HILL CITY OVAL

CURRENT FORM

St Bernard’s: WWLWW

Old Carey: WWWWW

HEAD TO HEAD

1-1

There are just two blemishes to the otherwise perfect St Bernard’s and Old Carey 2018 campaigns, and one of those losses can be accounted for by the other. In Round 2, it was the Panther’s who wrangled victory by way of a blistering final quarter which saw them 38-point victors. With 53 a-piece at three quarter time, it was a remarkable feat to see Old Carey keep the Snow Dogs scoreless, and bring it home so convincingly, in this top of the table clash. Guy Dickson and Kristian Jaksch iced the game in the fourth, scoring the final two goals of the match to earn themselves four and two goals apiece, while Henry Schade was excellent off half-back. Shaun Clarke was instrumental in the ruck for St Bernard’s, as was Conor Riley who was damaging in the midfield. Fast-track to Round 10, and the Snow Dogs exacted revenge at the Snake Pit. St Bernard’s were on song early, nabbing an 11-point lead at the first break which they built to 45 points at halftime and 76 points at the end of the third. The Panthers showed fight in the fourth term, outscoring the home side 4.2 to 3.1, but the top dogs proved too good. Competition sharpshooter, Chad Jones, had an absolute field day booting eight majors, while Old Carey’s Jason Ashby (1) featured in the best for the sixth week in a row, this time in the top position, while Tom Jepson and Will Nichols (1) were also good.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

St Bernard’s: Chad Jones and Adam Bentick

With 101 goals from 15 games, need I say more about Jones? The Snow Dogs have had fantastic depth to their line-up this season, which means a number of standout players can really have an effect in this semi. With his faithful track record against the Panthers in mind, I’m tipping Bentick to break things open.

Old Carey: Kristian Jaksch and Henry Schade

Jaksch really bolsters the Panther’s line-up, and his presence around goals is quite unmissable. Since returning from injury, Jaksch has been back to his unfailing form, notching three, four and four majors each week since from Round 16. Schade plays a massive role across half back in the Panther’s camp, and is a key factor in his team’s #2 defensive ranking, averaging only 60 points against each week.

Feature photo: Peter Haskin