Blacks, Sharks scrap out classic, De La down Roys

Jake Morris

Escaping Uni Oval with the four points and surviving the shiver of Sharks to remain undefeated, University Blacks will now push to make it a quintet in season 2021 as they travel down the Nepean Highway to Gerry Green Reserve for a matchup with the bottom placed Parkdale Vultures. In what was touted as match of the round and a potential September preview, the Blackers and Sharks slogged out a defensive classic with Darren Mumford’s safe hands breaking the deadlock in the final stages. Veteran Harrie Lahy was judged best afield while Matt Goyder and Sam McKenzie each kicked two in the low scoring tussle, and with the hopeful return of Jack Charleston to an already strong outfit, it will take a monumental effort for the young Vultures to secure their first win on the year. Youngsters Charlie Yee and Liam Purcell led the way for Parkdale in Round 3 as they continue to build towards success in coming seasons.

Pushing Uni Blacks to the brink in the confines of Uni Oval is nothing short of remarkable from Beaumaris, and even though they did not escape with the points, their start to the year proves their premiership aspirations are well within the realm of possibility. Heading into Round 4, a trip to Waverley Oval awaits the Sharkies as they face off with De La Salle for the first time since 2017. Though Scott Braithwaite and Callum Beattie-Powell who were instrumental on the day are no longer pulling up the blue and yellow socks, the likes of Chris Grigoriadis and Lewis Diggins remain and should play a big role this Saturday. De La used a second-half surge to cruise past Fitzroy in Round 3 on the backs of Thomas Deane-Johns (4 majors) and Michael Griechen (BOG), securing their second win and ending a two-game skid. Liam Wood and Sean Fisher both kicked three apiece in their last matchup in 2017, and now with Fraser Cameron and Darren Minchington in tow, another victory could be on the way for David Madigan’s men.

Just two short years ago, following a 75-point drubbing at the hands of Scotch in Round 4 2019, Old Haileyburians sat in eighth position with just one win to their name. Fast-forward and with a few handy inclusions joining the fray, the Bloods have elevated themselves into a bona fide top-4 team as they put AJAX to the sword on the weekend. Recruit and former Bomber Noah Gown launched onto the scene with a six-goal performance in his first game for the club, while Brede and Durras Seccull continued to dominate play across the park. Fitzroy lie in wait for Daniel Ward’s men, fresh off a tough kicking afternoon in-front of the big sticks, the Roys’ rued their missed chances with just nine majors from their 24-scoring shots, proving to be difference. Donovan Toohey and Darcey Lowrie were judged the Roys’ best on the day. With just one win against Parkdale so far this year, Fitzroy have yet to claim their big scalp that is common with the never-say-die attitude of the club. Could it be here?

A Premier C Grand Final recap! Williamstown CYMS and AJAX who locked horns for all glory at the end of 2019 meet once again, this time on the lake at Albert Park. Matthew Montebello and the CYs stormed home with seven last quarter goals to overturn a 25-point quarter-time deficit against Bedes to leave Brindisi St with a comprehensive 33-point win. Though Premiership hero Lachlan Fairley is missing, the combined efforts of Oskar Manton, Ryan Joy and newcomer Nick Ebinger should keep the AJAX backline working overtime, with the latter bagging four on debut for the CYs in Round 4. The Jackas were thoroughly outclassed by Haileybury at home, a disappointing result that they know they can rectify this weekend, and no better opponent than the side that caused Premiership heartbreak a mere 19 months ago. Brandon Joel was the only multiple goal scorer on a tough day, but with the always exciting Harry Sheezel up-forward and the hopeful return of Josh Ludski, a retooled Jackas filled with fire in the gut could cause issues.

Winners of back-to-back games over the CYs and Vultures respectively, Old Carey have started to click, showing some signs of life after a brutal first fortnight. Going for three on the trot, the Panthers will now welcome the struggling St Bedes/Mentone Tigers to the Carey Sports Complex, their first clash since 2013. In Round 4, Harrison Bean had himself a day out with a bag of five in a feel-good victory for the club, Ben Jepsen was judged best afield. The Tigers, who have dropped their last three by an average of 28-points, have failed to kick more than 10 goals a game in that span. A terribly disappointing Round 4 result for the Tigers saw their opponents dominate the fourth quarter and overwhelm then down the stretch, a lapse in play that can be corrected. James Mangoni booted three to take his total to 14 on the year while Jackson Cowden and Michael Barnes led the way, and will have to do it again to snap their skid.