Monders overrun Eagles, Hoers off the mark

Jack Keleher

Old Ivanhoe grabbed a much needed first win as they ran over Mazenod by 49 points. After holding the Nodders to two goals in the first half, the Hoers were able to use the great game of Max Jones, and three goals from Richard Skok (five goals in the last two games) and Luke Velluto (seven goals on the season) to ease to victory. The Nodders will be disappointed they could not back up their terrific win against Marcellin in round two, but they will be encouraged by the performance of Damian Byrne who has been in terrific form and was once again Mazenod’s best on the weekend. Mazenod will look to end Monash’s undefeated run this week at Monash University. Old Ivanhoe will be back home to take on a Marcellin team that will be hungry for a win after two disappointing losses. 

In what most pundits pictured as a potential blow-out in the making, Old Geelong just held out Preston to win by 27 points at Como Park. The Bullants put up a terrific fight all day, and were only seven points down entering the final break. However, they failed to score in the last quarter as the Oggers defence showed their strength which has been so reliable all season (Old Geelong have conceded the second least number of points through the first three rounds). William Sloss continued his terrific start to the season in a best-on-ground performance while Joseph Kemp kicked three. Jackson Curic continued his stellar form up forward for the Bullants as he kicked two more bringing his season total to nine after the first three rounds. Preston will play Old Mentonians in a must win matchup to keep their season alive. Old Geelong will face UHS-VU as they look to keep their undefeated streak going. 

Old Mentonians got their first win on the board as they beat UHS-VU by 44 points at Keysborough Playing Fields. While the Panthers continued their trend of inaccurate kicking (25.35 on the season), they put on a dominant display which included holding the Vultures scoreless in the third. Josh Gorman was best-on-ground while Darcy Brown continued his excellent start to season. UHS-VU will be disappointed as they drop to 0-3, but will be encouraged as they won the last quarter in a tough day. The Vultures will have their next opportunity to get on the board against Old Geelong in which looks to be a tough ask going on the Oggers form. Old Mentone will look to make in two on the trot as they face a feisty Preston team who looks for their first win. 

In a tale of two halves, Ormond defeated Marcellin by 21 points at Marcellin College. The Eagles got off to a very hot start as Ormond got used to seeing Daniel Cullinan hit it down to Jordan Perry who would kick it on the spot to a red-hot Steven Fitzgerald (who kicked four in the first half) resulting in Marcellin holding at 27-point lead at the main break. However, it was the Monders who took control of the third quarter kicking six goals to one (including two monster back-to-back bombs from Blake Picone) leading to Ormond holding a narrow two-point lead at 3QT. Harrison Burt and Steve Tolongs (who kicked five on the day and was best-on-ground) took over the fourth with the help of returning captain Tom Buckley to run away kicking three goals to none in the final quarter. The Monders will face Hampton in the match of the round at E.E. Gunn Reserve. Marcellin, who will feel they should have won the last two games they narrowly lost, will look to get back on track as they travel to face Old Ivanhoe. 

In what was the clear match of the round, Monash just outlasted Hampton by 4 points at Boss James Reserve. The game started in a very contested way which did not allow either team to take control as Monash led by 1 point after the first. The next two quarters were just as tight as Monash still led by a singular point at 3QT. As the rain started to pour, in the end, it was the experience of Nicholas Argento, who was best-on-ground kicking two goals off the wing, and another dominant display from ruckman MacGregor Cameron (who is putting together an early case for the LS Zachariah Medal) that led the Blues home. Hampton, despite the tough loss, will take plenty of positives out of the great play from Sam Seach and Eren Soylemez (four goals) who played their first games for the season. Hampton will have another crack at an early season favourite in Ormond as the Rovers look to show the league they are the real deal. Monash will look to stay unbeaten as they face Mazenod at home.