Prem C opener doesn’t disappoint as Blues run over Bullants

Jack Keleher

It has been 576 days since we had Premier C footy to look forward to and it did not disappoint. 

Hampton hosted Old Ivanhoe in a match that most would have pictured the Hoers winning with relative ease. With a strong wind, the Rovers jumped Old Ivanhoe with a seven goal to two first quarter. A five goal to one second quarter for the Hoers saw a two-point game entering the second half. After a tight third quarter, the Rovers held Old Ivanhoe goalless in the fourth walking away 28-point winners in an early show of force. Nathan Smith kicked three in a best on ground performance while Daniel Stanford was a force up forward for Old Ivanhoe. The Rovers will look to make it two from two when they play UHS-VU at Brens Oval this week. The start to the year does not get any easier for the Hoers, as they host Old Geelong this week in another massive matchup. 

Old Geelong will be happy with their 27-point victory over Mazenod at Como Park last weekend. The first half was a tight battle, with the Oggers only leading by five points at the major break. However, a four goal to one third quarter was enough for Old Geelong to get the job done in the second half. Captain Scott Dixon dominated, while the Nodders saw a very strong all-around effort from the team with seven individual goal kickers. Mazenod will play Marcellin away in a very tough round two matchup that should show how competitive each team will be this year. The Oggers will play a fiery Old Ivanhoe at Chelsworth Park who will look to make up for a disappointing showing against Hampton.

In an interesting game, Ormond beat Old Mentonians by 56 points at Keysborough Playing Fields. After Darcy Brown, who was instrumental all day for Old Mentone, kicked the first, the Panthers were fired up for the first half. However, they were held back by inaccurate kicking which evidently teams cannot afford to do against a loaded Ormond team. A 34-point lead in the first half was quickly expanded to 50 after the third and Ormond was able to comfortably hang on despite Mentone kicking a few late. While Suckling and Allan were both clearly in the best, it was the other new recruit, Callum Cathcart, who stole the show booting home eight goals in his Ormond debut. The Panther’s new recruit, Lachie Mirams, also impressed in his debut. The Monders will host Preston at E.E. Gunn this Saturday. Old Mentone will look to bounce back against a red-hot Monash who are looking to be early contenders. 

Marcellin walked away 85-point winners against UHS-VU who played their first game in the Premier sections in 44 years. In a wire-to-wire victory, the Eagles never looked like losing as Isaac Nolan dominated kicking seven of his own. Mitchell Jones was a standout for Marcellin, while the Vultures can take positives out of the outstanding game from Todd Cracknell. Marcellin will be favourites as they host Mazenod this week after the Nodders experienced a tough loss to Old Geelong. The Vultures will look to bounce back this week against an impressive Hampton side at Brens Oval – which has been a fortress over the past four years. 

Our final matchup saw the Monash Blues return to Premier C in red hot form after beating Preston by 85 points at W.R. Ruthven Reserve. In a very competitive first half, the Bullants surprised many as they led by two points at half time in their first ever game in the Premier sections. However, a 16 goal to two second half saw Preston overrun in the end by a classy Monash side. The Blues will be ecstatic with 10 individual goal kickers, which featured returning player Sam Le Lievre kicking three in a best on ground performance. Lewis Fotheringham and Jackson Curic (who kicked five goals) impressed for the Bullants who will face a tough Ormond team this week. The Blues will host Old Mentone in a game that is poised to be fast paced and high scoring.