Nodders run down Hoers in Premier C

Jack Keleher

Our match of the round came out of Chelsworth Park as Mazenod took the premiership points against Old Ivanhoe by one goal. With the chance to be one game clear in the top four, the Hoers came out firing early and held a nine-point lead after the first. The second quarter was owned by the Nodders though, who piled on 5.7 holding a 13-point lead at the half, a lead they will feel should have been greater. An even third quarter set up a mighty last, and whilst the Hoers kicked the first, the Nodders piled on three in quick succession and the game looked done. Old Ivanhoe had more in the tank though, sparking a furious but ultimately too late comeback to go down by a goal. Ruck/forward Luke Velluto was great on the day with three goals, while defender Sam Keogh was the Hoers’ best. Old Ivanhoe drops down to fourth on the ladder, tied now with Ormond and Mazenod on wins. They will host Old Mentone this week and every game is important from here on. Stars Simon Hall and Sam Michael were prolific as per usual, for Mazenod but it was Liam Riley who was best on ground out of half-forward. This was a massive win for the Nodders which keeps them in touch with the top four. They travel to Brens Oval to play UHS-VU this week, and given they are only one percentage point out of the finals, the Nodders must see this as an opportunity to gain some valuable ground.

UHS-VU put up a good fight for a half but it was Old Geelong running away 84-point winners on the weekend. The Vultures needed a scalp here to avoid relegation, and they came out with intent in the first quarter, but accurate kicking from the Oggers had them up by 17 points. Two goals to one in favour of Old Geelong gave them a further buffer heading into the second half, and from there, it was all over. 12 goals to three in the second half resulted in a great percentage boost for the Oggers who now sit second and two games clear of third. Todd Cracknell continued his great form while defender Spencer Horton was best on for the Vultures. For the Oggers, Liam Higgins played the game of his life kicking seven goals in a best on ground performance and to no surprise, William Sloss and Scott Dixon were also in the best. Old Geelong will travel to Boss James Reserve to take on Hampton this week. UHS-VU will have another opportunity to knockoff another contender when they host Mazenod at Brens Oval.

Ormond made it two on the trot as they hung on to beat Marcellin by 12 points at E.E. Gunn Reserve. Blowing a gale down at the Gunn, Ormond took a lead with the wind going after the first on the back of a clinical midfield display from Jack McCartney. The Eagles were able to get back in the game in the second, but overall were disappointed as they still conceded four goals against the wind and Ormond held a 29-point lead at the half. The third was all Monders on the back of Steve Tolongs, who in his return game after injuring his hamstring in Round six, kicked two goals (six on the day) assisting the Monders to a (what looked like) insurmountable lead of 52 points at 3QT. Needing the biggest comeback Premier C would have seen for years, the fourth quarter was all Marcellin. Howe, Perry and Antypas started to get on top in the middle, and the Ormond defenders found themselves under constant pressure. Marcellin piled on seven straight goals, and with just five minutes left, were only down by 13 points. In the dying minutes, a clutch contested mark on the goal line by the best on ground Sam Mason (who then proceeded to kick the goal) put the final nail in the coffin. The Monders will look to keep this momentum going when they travel to the winless Preston this week. With it looking like percentage may decide which one of Ormond, Old Ivanhoe and Mazenod makes finals, this is an important opportunity for the Monders to separate themselves from the pack. Marcellin’s hopes of finals are now all but scrapped, but there is plenty to play for when they host the ladder leaders Monash this week.

Monash got back on the winners’ list thumping Preston by 94 points at Monash University. Much like their first match-up, The Bullants hung with the Blues in the first quarter behind the great play of Liam Carter. Any hope the Bullants had, however, was taken from them quickly in the second as Monash piled on six goals to one. The second half was not any kinder to the Bullants, who conceded another nine goals to one. Jackson Curic played well but could only manage two goals on the day for Preston. For the Blues, it was a welcome sight to see star Joe Harrison return with three goals on the day, whilst big man Luke Darling was best on ground out of defence. Monash will travel to face Marcellin whose last quarter form against Ormond show they can beat anyone on their day. The Bullants will look to hurt Ormond’s finals hopes and secure their first win for the year.

It was revenge season out at Keysborough Playing Fields as Hampton beat Old Mentonians by 14 points. With their Round six upset still in their heads, the Rovers came out to play, but it was the Panthers who took the early lead in the first. Inaccurate kicking by Hampton in the second (1.6) allowed Mentone to hold a 21-point lead at the half. The third was a tight battle with both teams playing to end a poor run of form, but Mentone was able to keep their three-goal lead heading into the last. Hampton stared the prospect of losing six straight in the eye, and put on a last quarter performance to remember – kicking 4.8 and holding the Panthers to just two points to secure the win. Captain Christian Carnovale was massive in a best on ground performance whilst swingman Joel Melnjak continued his stellar form. On a disappointing day for Mentone, Keiffer Smith-Cameron was terrific out of defence and big man Lachie Mirams had a day out. Hampton will need to win every game from here to make finals, and it starts this week when they host Old Geelong who has won five straight. Old Mentone’s chances of finals are now all but gone, but a win this week against Old Ivanhoe should secure that they play Premier C football next year.