Return of the T’s, Lions claim third

Jake Morris

While Round 18 featured some incredible matches and fantastic finishes, the match-up of the day between Collegians and Old Xaverians takes the cake, with the Lions advancing into September action with a hard fought six-point win over Xavs at Toorak Park. Nathan Boucher was the difference for Collegians with four goals, while Viv Michie accumulated 28 disposals to lead his side to a Grand Final rematch with St Kevin’s OB next weekend. Matt Merlo had 27 touches and Matt Handley booted three for Xavs, who enter next weekends clash with Uni Blues with back-to-back losses in tow.

Surviving relegation to return to William Buck Premier in 2020 was Old Trinity as they fought off an inaccurate De La Salle by 25 points. Alex Polidoros kicked three majors while Jack Hunt gathered a game-high 32 disposals to help their side finish the year with five wins, just enough to return to our top section for another crack next year. Despite starting the day 3.1, De La finished with a 7.19 score line, a disastrous 4.18 after a strong start. Ben Nethersole led De La with 25 disposals, who return to Premier B for the first time in over a decade.

As Collegians advance, Old Brighton are the unlucky casualty that see their season cut short despite a thrilling final quarter fightback that saw them down a gallant Old Carey by 28 points at Carey Sports Complex. A 7.4 to 0.1 final term allowed the Tonners to swamp Carey and briefly place themselves inside the top-four before the final siren blew at Toorak Park, moving them back down to fifth. Anthony Zimmerman and Nick Pavlou led Brighton with three majors each and a combined 59 disposals. Kristian Jaksch led the accurate Panthers with 5.0 while Ben Jepsen, Matt King and Marc Lock all gathered over 30 touches for their final game in William Buck Premier for at least one season.

Despite fielding an almost full-strength outfit, University Blues have ended their home and away season with a loss after being outclassed by Old Melburnians by 35 points at Uni Oval. With the news of senior coach, Nathan Brown’s, departure yesterday, the OM’s were inspired in this outing – with Jackson Paine the catalyst with 18 disposals and six-majors to help push the margin out to an insurmountable 68-point lead heading into the final quarter. A Blues fightback, led by Ross Young and Joe Macula’s 27 disposals, brought the margin to a respectable level, as the Blues prepare for Xavs in the first round of finals next weekend.

Using a strong second half and some Adam Bentick magic, St Bernard’s have caused a minor upset at the Snake Pit as they fought off St Kevin’s OB by 16 points. Michael Caven and Luke Di Lizio kicked three apiece to lead the Snow Dogs while Adam Bentick racked up a massive 48 disposals and 21 clearances in a gargantuan performance. Callum Jones kicked three for SKOB while Cam Hodges had 19 touches in the result that sees them slip to fourth, but still come up against Collegians in a mouth-watering Grand Final rematch next weekend.