Nodders make it five straight in Premier C

Jack Keleher

Mazenod makes it five on the trot as they ran away 30-point winners against Ormond last weekend. After an even first quarter, the Monders absolutely took over in the second with nine scoring shots to two. However, Ormond only converted two of those nine scoring shots and though they were up by 23 points, felt as if they should have easily been up by at least six goals. Their momentum was halted when just before the major break when their star CHB, Jeremy Simon, had a gruesome injury that paused play for some time. The Monders never recovered, and the Nodders came out in the second half looking like a new team. The final two quarters were dominated by Mazenod in all aspects, as they held Ormond to only two points the entire second half running out winners by five goals. Liam Welsford continued his stellar form, but it was the multi-faceted attack of the Nodders, with nine individual goal kickers, that got them over the line. Ethan Hanley and Sam Stait were terrific all day for the Monders whose injuries continue to pile up. Their run does not get any easier, as they host Monash who are still unbeaten and will smell blood this week. In a massive game of 2^nd vs 3^rd, Mazenod will host Old Geelong who is also in red hot form.

Old Ivanhoe cruised to victory against the in-form UHS-VU to the tune of 62 points at Chelsworth Park. Up only 24 at the half, the Hoers took over in the third booting 6.2 to 1.2 putting the game well and truly away heading into the fourth. Benjamin Dimattina and big man Fraser Allen continued their respective purple patches for the Vultures, who just struggled to find a consistent scoring option up forward once again. Seamus Gibbs was best on ground for Old Ivanhoe who continue to get great games from key position players Jaryd Robertson and Mal Mitris. The Hoers, who have finally moved into the top four, host Hampton who despite beating them by 28 points in round 1, are struggling having lost four in a row. UHS-VU will host Marcellin in, perhaps, a must win game if they want to stay in Premier C this year.

In the most even 25-point loss one may see, Monash got their revenge on Hampton at Frearson Oval. The first was all Blues, who leaned on their elite midfield performers Daniel Easson and Nick Argento to give them a 26-point buffer. The second, however, was all Hampton, though in the most inaccurate quarter in Premier C footy this year, kicked 1.9 to Monash’s 1.1 and only cut the deficit by eight points. The second half was much of the same, with Carnovale on top in the middle but the Rovers unable to capitalise finishing the game kicking 4.16 and letting themselves down at every turn. Joe Cosgriff was elite down back for the Blues and Oscar Roberts was great for the Rovers. Monash will look to capitalise on a Monders team who has lost three straight this week. Hampton, after losing four straight themselves, will look to return to form when they travel to Old Ivanhoe.

Marcellin put to bed any talk of relegation with a crucial win over Old Mentonians by 30 points. The first quarter mirrored much of their round 5 matchup, a tight game with both defences holding strong. Scoring out of the midfield seemed the best option for both teams with forwards failing to fire. Tied at the half, the Eagles made the third theirs. The great play of Matthew Capetola (who was best on ground) broke the game open for Marcellin who kicked 6.1 and put the game away. Lewis Oliver and star recruit Lachie Mirams were terrific for the Panthers who fall back to eighth on the ladder. Old Mentone will host Preston in a must win game with UHS-VU trying to fight their way out of relegation. Marcellin will look to do the Panthers a favour when they travel to Brens Oval to face UHS-VU in a massive game for both clubs.

In our final game, Old Geelong thumped Preston to the tune of 102 points. The Bullants played some really good footy in the first but were perhaps a little lucky only to be down by five points given the Oggers kicked 2.6. From there, it was all Old Geelong who finished with a whopping 39 scoring shots. Christian Hatzis showed no sign of slowing down as he booted home five goals (15 over the last three games). Big man Joe Griffiths found some form kicking four in a best on ground performance. Jay Phelan was Preston’s best in a long day for the Bullants who are still winless. Preston will travel to face Old Mentone this week and they will see this as a potential opportunity to get their season back on track. Old Geelong will travel to face Mazenod in what will be the match of the round. The two form teams of the competition, and I will say it for the second week in a row if you have some spare time on Saturday – get down to Central Reserve.