Lions all smiles as they dance to the Jackson 5

Nick Armistead

Collegians secured their most important win of the season and fourth spot on the William Buck Premier ladder with a 34-point victory over University Blues at Uni Oval. The Lions, who welcomed back star small forward Lachie Ferguson, kicked five goals to three in the opening term and, more importantly for them, outscored the Blues with 10 goals to six thereafter. While most players struggled with the slippery conditions early in the match, Ferguson starred with his clean hands leading to three goals and 23 disposals. In just his second senior match, Big V U19 representative Oli Jackson was outstanding for the Lions as he hit packs all day and finished with a game-high five majors, while Sam Hibbins had 28 touches and eight clearances despite the Lions losing the hit-out battle 83-23. Ayce Cordy fought hard for the Blues with 73 hit outs, 20 touches and two goals alongside two goals each from Dan Batarilo and Josh Green. It was just the Blues’ second loss of the season as they now fall into second spot on the ladder.

De La Salle put a game and a half between themselves and Old Trinity after they ran out 27-point winners when the two sides met at the Daley Oval. Leading by seven points at the first break, De La kicked away with five goals to two in a match-winning second term. Hugh Nicholson continued his outstanding season with 29 disposals and seven clearances for De La while Jake Williams had 28 touches himself. Jack Hunt starred for the T’s with 32 disposals and a goal as they suffered their seventh loss of the year. De La sit in eighth spot on the ladder, one above the T’s.

St Kevin’s OB ensured they held onto third spot on the ladder with a 19-point win over Old Melburnians at TH King Oval. SKOB, who were shock losers against De La in Round 8, bounced back with eight goals to five in the first half before the game evened out with four apiece in the third and fourth terms. It was a case of which Wood would be named best after Nick starred with 28 touches and six clearances while John kicked 2.3 amongst his 13. Jarrad Waite top scored for SKOB with three goals while Jackson Paine kicked three of his own for OM’s. Gus Borthwick and Tom Paule each had 10 clearances for OM’s as they out of the four into fifth.

Six unanswered goals in the opening term helped Old Brighton to a comfortable 52-point victory over Old Carey at Elsternwick Park. The Tonners were on a roll early with two goals in the first three minutes of the match, with Michael Karayannis going on to be the main contributor for the day with four. Hamish Dick and Andy Dewar kicked three each. Nick Pavlou was simply outstanding with 37 disposals and 11 clearances from the Tonners alongside Elliot Le Grice (27) and Dick (26). James El Moussalli led all comers with 39 touches and 14 clearances in a dominant display for the Panthers. Kristian Jaksch top scored with three goals.

Old Xaverians returned to the top of the William Buck Premier ladder following their 49-point victory over St Bernard’s at Toorak Park. Six goals to nil in the opening half paved the way for Xavs before they finished off with another eight goals to six. Denis Symeopoulos returned for his first game since Round 3 and starred with four goals from 17 disposals, while Matt Handley booted three and Cauley Beetham had another 27 as he continues to operate at an elite level each week. Nathan Kazuro (29) and Adam Bentick (28) were outstanding for the Snow Dogs as they look to regroup ahead of next week’s home game against Uni Blues.