Hampton reclaim Buxton Cup, Zachariah fave leads Monash

Jack Keleher

Old Geelong continued their undefeated streak beating UHS-VU by 65 points at Brens Oval. There was a clear scoring end and the Oggers took advantage kicking away in the first and third. The Vultures, while admirable in defeat, were not able to match the firepower of Old Geelong as they were crippled by inaccurate kicking all day. Captain Scott Dixon was prolific for the Oggers while Paul Dreher and young gun Connor Dixon (who has been tearing up the competition in the U23’s) kicked four. Fergus O’Neill was the best for UHS-VU in his season debut. Old Geelong will face Monash in a massive battle for top of the table this week. UHS-VU will travel to Mazenod looking for that elusive first win of the season. 

Old Ivanhoe made it two on the trot as they held out Marcellin by five points at Chelsworth Park. The game was tight and heated all day with no team able to separate themselves from the other. Up by three points at 3QT, the Hoers held out thanks to a terrific final quarter from Mal Mitris, who fittingly took a contested mark to win the game as the Eagles looked to have one more chance entering their 50. Daniel McMahon returned in a big way for Marcellin as he was a contested marking machine kicking four goals on the day. Jonathan Blanch was a force down back for the disappointed Eagles who once again have lost a game they feel they could have won. Old Ivanhoe would be delighted with the inclusion of Alex Mirkov, who stands at 210cm and dominated the ruck giving the likes of Jake Bradley, who was best on ground, first use of the ball all day. The forward tandem of Richard Skok (five goals on the day) and Luke Velluto (four goals on the day) and the Hoers will look to keep their momentum going when they face an Ormond side looking to get back on the winners’ list. Marcellin will travel to Old Mentone in a must-win game for the Eagles. 

Hampton reclaimed the Buxton Cup as they beat Ormond by 21 points at E.E. Gunn Reserve. Matthew Suckling played a vital role early as the Monders took an early lead, but inaccuracy in front of goal meant they only held a three-goal lead at QT. Led by a dominant midfield display from Nathan Smith, Hampton then stormed back in the second quarter kicking five goals to two, with Cal Cathcart kicking a miracle goal in the final minutes of the quarter to bring Ormond within five points at the main break. The third was heavily contested with Ormond leading by nine points at 3QT. However, led by Eren Soylemez (five goals) and Christian Carnovale, the Rovers took over kicking 6.4 before Ormond could render a score in the last quarter. Simon Buckley was terrific in his first game for the Monders in 2021, while Tim Allan took contested mark after contested mark to be Ormond’s best for the day. Chris Perkins was awarded the Barnes Family Medal as the best on ground for his great display on the wing. Ormond’s run will not get any easier as they take on a red-hot Old Ivanhoe team. Hampton will host Preston at Boss James Reserve. 

Monash showed themselves to be premiership favourites as they smashed Mazenod by 94 points. After leading by only 12 points at QT, the Blues kicked 15 goals to two for the rest of the game, holding the Nodders goalless in the second half. LS Zachariah Medal favourite, MacGregor Cameron, was best on ground again as he demonstrated that any opposing ruckman is in for a long day when they face Monash. The return of the Blues’ 2018 leading goal kicker Nick Woodland was welcomed as he kicked five on the day and was complemented by Mitch King who kicked three (11 on the season). Midfielder Samuel Michael continued his great form and was the Nodders’ best. In the battle of the undefeated, Monash and Old Geelong, the two teams relegated from Premier B in 2019, will face off at Como Park in what will be the match of the round. Mazenod will be expecting to get back on the winners’ list when they host the winless UHS-VU. 

Old Mentonians had a great win when they beat Preston by 23 points at W.R. Ruthven Reserve. In a tight first half, neither team could separate themselves, but the Panthers held a slight two-point lead. In a third quarter dominated by Old Mentone, they could not make the most of their chances kicking 3.6 but were able to hold off four goals by the Bullants in the fourth to secure their second win for the season. To no surprise, Darcy Brown was in the best again kicking four goals and in a clinical display for the Panthers. The Bullants will be excited by the return of half-back Liam Carter who was their best. Old Mentone will look to make it three on the trot when they face a tough Marcellin outfit. The winless Preston has the big task of beating a sizzling Hampton team at Boss James Reserve.