Vultures snap 44-year drought with Premier C victory

Jack Keleher

In what was the first of five massive games in Premier C this week, Mazenod defeated Hampton by 26 points at Central Reserve. The first quarter was all about accurate kicking, as most spectators will agree, Hampton was the better team in the first quarter but they were only able to convert three of their nine scoring shots. While the Nodders kicked six straight to hold a two-goal lead after one. With the wind now, Mazenod piled on four more and held the Rovers to only two points and by half time the match looked over. Hampton kicked six goals to four in the second half, but they could not make up the difference losing as strong favourites for the second straight week. Dillon Melnjak was prolific for the Rovers, and in-form winger Chris Perkins was once again in the best. Star mid-forward Christian Carnovale also kicked three (six in the last two weeks). For Mazenod, Samuel Michael was best on as he put on yet another dominant display in the middle. Mazenod has now won three on the trot, and it is no surprise with Tom Warby and Simon Hall leading a strong defence which held Nathan Smith (20 goals) and Max Coughlin (17 goals) goalless for the day. The Nodders will perhaps face an even bigger test when they travel to face Ormond this week and a win there could skyrocket them into contender status. The Rovers have dropped the last two after such a positive start to the year and they will face Marcellin at home this week.

Old Geelong put last week behind them as they pieced together a strong win against Marcellin at Como Park. Strong play around the ground from the Eagles allowed them to get off to a red hot start, leading by 16 at half time behind a dominant midfield display from Anytpas, Tyquin and Perry. However, despite a great effort, the Oggers elite rose in the third kicking six goals to one and taking a nine-point lead into the final break which they would be able to defend. Jack Sheridan held Marcellin’s two-pronged ruck attack at bay in a best on gourd performance, while the usual suspects, Scott Dixon and John Simson were instrumental in Old Geelong’s comeback. Lacking firepower up forward, the Oggers were stoked to see the return of Christian Hatzis who kicked four. Old Geelong will face Old Mentone away this week while the 2-5 Marcellin, who incredibly sit 8^th despite not losing a game by more than 21 points all year, will travel to face Hampton who will do all they can to avoid dropping three in a row.

In our match of the round, first versus second, Monash kept their unbeaten season going defeating Ormond by 11 points at Frearson Oval. The match was touted as a battle of the two best defences and boy oh boy did it live up to the ticket. The first was heavily contested, but Max Kennedy and Tom Buckley were able to get the edge in the middle resulting in Ormond leading by a goal after one. As Monash pushed in the second, Ormond’s defence held strong and had the underdogs up by 14 points at half time. The start of the third was just as contested as the first, but in-form mids Daniel Easson and Beau Harris started to get on top in the middle and eventually, the Monders’ defence started to let a few through as the Blues kicked four goals to one to take a three-point lead. An early Blake Picone goal put the Monders up, but it was Monash kicking the final two of the game to run away winners. Matthew Suckling put on a display for the ages off half back, while Jeremy Simon continues to put his hand up as the best centre-half-back in the comp holding Mitch King to just one goal. MacGregor Cameron refuses to take a day off, as he was once again best on ground taking contested grabs and putting the ball on a platter for the Monash mids. The Blues will travel to UHS-VU who have been showing some real form of late. Ormond is clearly lacking some firepower up forward with Tolongs and Cathcart out for extended periods, and it will not get any easier when they host a red-hot Mazenod looking to make it four on the trot.

Old Ivanhoe put together a massive win beating Old Mentonians by 30 points at Keysborough Playing Field. Old Mentone was coming off an incredible win against the Rovers, but it took them until the second quarter to get going as they trailed by six a half time. The third was owned by the Hoers midfield as the Panthers struggled to find a way to stop big Alex Mirkov in the ruck. After three, the Hoers held a six-goal lead and were able to hold on in a contested last quarter to take out an impressive win. Despite Mirkov’s dominance, Josh Gorman and Darcy ‘Doc’ Brown were able to put together strong games for the Panthers kicking five between them out of the midfield. Despite this, Old Mentone could not stop the play of Ben Oliver or Daniel Stanford who kicked four on the day. Old Ivanhoe will host Preston as they look to enter the top four. Old Mentone will host Old Geelong.

There would have been a big night back at Brens Oval after UHS-VU won their first game in the Premier sections for 44 years as they beat Preston by seven points. With a strong wind, the Bullants, behind the play of Gerard Sutton, kicked four goals to one but the Vultures answered in the second holding an eight-point lead at half time. From there it was contested footy. A battle of who wanted it more. In the end, UHS-VU got their revenge for the 2019 D1 Grand Final walking away victors. Big Fraser Allen took over in the ruck, kicking two on route to a best on ground display while star mid Esubalew Ramsay had a day out. Preston will be disappointed, having been in so many matches this year, but they will have another opportunity when they face Old Ivanhoe this week. UHS-VU are now only a game away from climbing out of relegation but they will have the tough task of hosting the unbeaten Monash Blues.