Final-four set, Jackas on fire, Wellers & Rovers stand-off

Alisha Min

From five teams in contention for a finish in the top-four heading in to last weekend, to the finals teams being cemented as the sun set on Round 17 – the volition of Premier C! With Ajax’s (3^rd) eight-point win over Hampton Rovers (8^th) in Round 18, and Old Ivanhoe’s (4^th) five point win over Marcellin (6^th) at Marcellin College, a congratulations can now be extended to our confirmed finals-bound teams for Premier C in 2019; Williamstown CYMS, Ormond, Ajax and Old Ivanhoe.

In the results from the weekend past, Old Camberwell made it two in a row and kept their dream of a Premier C return in 2020 alive with their 31-point victory over tenth placed PEGS. Despite a slow opening term, where they registered no score and allowed the Bombers to kick away with 3.2, the Wellers momentum in the second and fourth quarters was where they managed to outscore the home team 10.10 to 0.0 to claim the four points. James Allen (3) and Simon Bennett shone for the Wellers, while PEGS captain Cameron Livori (2) and Brett Hannah were the Bombers best.

Again a class above, Williamstown CYMS are one more win away from the perfect home & away season following a 64-point win over Mazenod. In the CY’s 151-point total, Lachlan Fairley contributed majorly with his seven goals, while Russell Ackerly chimed in with five. For the Nodders, who’s loss now pushes them out of a last-minute finals dash, Christian Poretti (1) was the man of the match.

Tying up third spot via their sixth consecutive triumph was Ajax, besting the Hampton Rovers by eight points at Gary Smorgon Oval. For the Rovers, who will be disappointed they couldn’t emulate 41-point win over the Jackas from Round 6 which would’ve pulled them out of the dangerous relegation territory, Josh Broadley was awarded the BOG honours, while the Jackas Richie Simon strung together a second consecutive best-on performance over the last two weeks.

Cut from the same cloth as Mazenod, where a victory would’ve kept them hot on the heels of a September feature, Old Mentonians stumbled by seven points to Ormond (2^nd) at Keysborough Playing Fields. The Panthers nine-point half time buffer was simply not reinforcement enough to withstand the 9.5 to 5.13 barrage by the Monders in the second half, a credit to the winners Max Kennedy (3) and Luke Gogis. Darcy Brown and Jai Florent stood tall for the defeated Mentonians.

Elation for one and heartbreak for the other. Old Ivanhoe’s five-point win over Marcellin saw them sew up their spot in finals,  which consequently meant the denial of a 2019 finals campaign for the Eagles. Marcellin flew out the blocks with four goals to none in the opening term, but the Hoers took control through Oscar McIntyre and Michael Del Monte from thereon out – outscoring Jackson Green’s (3) Eagles 8.17 to 5.6 in the remaining three terms.

PREVIEW

With the only movement possible up top after Round 18 being the switch between the Jackas (3^rd) and Old Ivanhoe (4^th), and that’s given Ajax lose considerably enough to Ormond (2^nd) and the Hoers win compellingly enough over PEGS (10^th), ears will be tuned and eyes will no doubt be trained to the results of Boss James Reserve and Central Reserve to answer the question: who will join the Bombers in relegation to Division 1? Hampton Rovers (8^th) or Old Camberwell (9^th)?

If Hampton lose to Old Mentonians (7^th), relegation back down to Division 1 is a distinct possibility should Mazenod (5^th) concurrently fall down to Old Camberwell. Flip that more optimistically for the Rovers, and it’s a “win and you’re in” situation in front of a home crowd on their last outing for 2019. They’ll certainly need that positive reinforcement should they truly have their hearts set on a Premier C resurgence in 2020, and if they want to reverse their 13-point loss to the Panthers way back in Round 1.

Despite the Wellers impressive run over the last fortnight, notching consecutive wins over Old Mentonians (R17) and PEGS (R18), they are unfortunately dependent on the Rovers stumbling to entertain any notion of remaining in Premier C next season. Their opponents, an undoubtedly disappointed Nodders side who’s credentials for a Premier C finals berth, after being relegated from Premier B at the end of 2018, was rather persuasive, will look to finish the year on a high and will be reluctant to let this match slip like they did in Round 1 (three points).

No particularly advantageous or adverse outcome will befall Mazenod, Marcellin or Old Mentonians following their Round 18 match-ups, given they are all firmly nestled in the middle of the Premier C pack. They are, however, extremely proud clubs, all of which COULD have very well been approaching this weekend with a finals appearance still on the cards should results have panned out differently last weekend. A reassuring fact for the Eagles to keep in mind especially, as they host Williamstown CYMS in their last game for the year – though perhaps Marcellin will be the team to knock our undefeated minor premiers off their perch!