Dog days are over, Bernard’s promoted as Blacks eye off Panthers

Alisha Min

For the Premier B faithful, there could be no surprise at Box Hill City oval on Saturday afternoon when this section’s standouts, St Bernard’s, kept rolling out their undeniable 2018 campaign with a 31-point victory over second placed Old Carey. Though a resounding final siren result, the day didn’t go all the Snow Dog’s way when the Panthers pounced to an early 16-point lead in the opening term, but true to character, the unyielding St Bernard’s crew were quick to bite back with a five goal second quarter while limiting the fast starter’s to a meagre point. The match continued in a similar fashion in the latter half, with the Bernard’s Caven boys, Michael (4), Thomas and Simon, running riot, though our newly crowned Premier B B&F winner, the recipient of the GT Moore medal, Chad Jones, was held unusually goalless – a credit to the work of the Carey defence on the section’s leading goalkicker. Though unsuccessful here, the Panthers will take solace in the outstanding form of Kristian Jaksch (2), and the reliable Sam Cust and Henry Schade heading into their preliminary battle against University Blacks. Jaksch, Cust and Schade all polled remarkably well for Old Carey in the B&F count, with 20, 16 and 9 votes, respectively.

A display of utter dominance in the fourth quarter at Trevor Barker oval on Sunday afternoon enabled University Blacks to renege a 15-point 3QT deficit and emerge as 19-point victors over the inspiring Caulfield Grammarians. The remarkable tale of the Fields journey to finals, a feat made possible by five consecutive wins (including a 4-point scalp over St Bernard’s), looked destined to continue during the heart of this battle, with players the ilk of Chris Diggle and Tom Green (2) standing tall against the Blacks’ brunt. But, a series of unfortunate events brought this silverware dream crashing down for the grammarians, including a horrific second quarter ankle injury to co-skipper and Big V star, Tim Nixon, and squandered opportunities in front of goals by the most reliable of stalwarts like Nick Baltas (3), Louis O’Keefe (1) and Green (2) mid-way through the third term which left a crack in the door for the Blacks to inevitably break open. For the victorious Blacks, who’s final quarter turnaround is a testament to the leadership of the always calm-and-collected Cam Roberts, John Vrodos (4) was outstanding, as was the Blacks top vote getter in the FT Moore medal, Joshua Steadman (15 votes).

PRELIMINARY FINAL: OLD CAREY V UNIVERSITY BLACKS

SATURDAY 2.20PM, ELSTERNWICK PARK

CURRENT FORM

Old Carey: WWWWL

Uni Blacks: WWWWW

HEAD TO HEAD

1-1

It’s four premiership points apiece when reflecting on these side’s 2018 clashes to date, with the Blacks claiming victory at Carey Sports Complex in Round 8 by way of a 26-point ascendancy at the final siren and the Panthers returning the favour at Melbourne Uni in Round 14 by a comparable 24 points.

In their first meeting, University Blacks were up against the then ladder-leaders on their home deck, and this advantage held true for part of the match as the Panthers led the Blacks by four points at the main break. Though the Blacks had difficulties converting on the scoreboard to this point, scoring 1.12, they raised hell with seven goals to the Panthers one in the third, a result enhanced by numerous undisciplined 25m penalties from the Carey boys when their resilience was needed most. The return of Lachlan Huntington (4) did not go unnoticed for the winners here, while 2017 Woodrow medallist, Bede Mahon, caught the eye of the umpires with three FT Moore medal votes. Kristian Jaksch was in the midst of his red-hot streak at this stage, matching Huntington’s four majors. In the latter encounter, a flying start simply wasn’t enough for University Blacks to win and withhold 2^nd place from Old Carey. Though Blacks regulars Lochie Dornauf (3), Jordan Quaile (2) and Jarrod Carlson performed admirably when the visitors questioned, the Panthers evidently had all the answers after a half-time regroup, dispelling the Uni boys hopes with a nine goal to four second-half. Sam Cust was deemed the BOG by the umpires, adding three votes to his eventual 16 vote GT Moore medal haul, while the coaching staff acknowledged Jason Ashby (1) for his around the ground work-rate.

(PRELIM)FINAL THOUGHTS

1. Can the Blacks Mahon up? Red carded in the third quarter of the Blacks nail-biter with Caulfield last weekend, the reality of suspension is a definite possibility for the Blacks “clearance king”, Bede Mahon. If suspended, can the Uni boys rise and can Cam Roberts weave enough magic to fill this palpable void?
2. Jaksch is back. Polling every week from rounds 1-8 in the GT Moore medal, leading with an incredible 20 votes at Round 8 – 11 votes clear of Chad Jones (St Bernard’s) and Jack Wallace (Caulfield Grammarians) in second with 9 votes – the Kristian Jaksch effect is real. If Jaksch is up and about, the Panthers will follow suit.