No errors for the early challengers as winter comes to town in early May

Hugh MacLean

Hampton Rovers and Mazenod had little trouble disposing of less credentialled opponents, whilst Monash Blues endured a tight battle to score the four points in round five.  Here’s what took place…

A profligacy in front of goal that led to a total of 30 misses from 52 shots did not bother the Hampton Rovers too much as they defeated Preston Bullants by 149 points. What will make coach Anthony Quon happiest is the intensity that kept the Bullants to just three shots for the afternoon. At the other end of the park a nine-goal second quarter put the game to bed, but a return of 9.18 in the second half meant that the margin could have been greater still. Nine goals from Josh McPherson covered nicely for the absence of spearhead Danny Corp, with captain Christian Carnovale and Lachlan Cairns strong at the contest. Conor and Rory Howard tried hard to stem the tide for the Bullants.

Old Ivanhoe kicked eight goals to one in the second quarter as Ormond came to town, and that was all she wrote as the locals cruised to a 13 goal win. Luke Scuderi had a day out at full forward, kicking nine majors and making Chelsworth Park his own. Ormond took the game up to Ivanhoe early and while the locals were steady enough to lead by eleven points at the first break, it’s the second stanza where battle was taken away from the Monders. A 56-point halftime deficit was always going to be too much, and although the visitors did not let their heads drop Old Ivanhoe won every quarter to inflict Ormond’s third straight defeat. Daniel Cookson and Harrison Reid continued their early-season form for Old Ivanhoe, while James Tsakonas and Will McCartney battled manfully for Ormond.

Marcellin pushed Old Geelong hard in this encounter before the OGS took control in the last quarter to carry the day. Although the score was level at quarter time, Old Geelong kicked 2.6 to 3.0, a reflection of their territorial dominance. They straightened up in the second term to take a two goal lead to the main break, but Marcellin whittled that back to five points at three-quarter time. It seemed as though Marcellin had the momentum, but Old Geelong have the ability to go a long way in this competition, and serious sides stand up in this situation. Old Geelong finished with four of the last six goals and emerged victorious by 21 points. Chris Hatzis led the way with four goals for Old Geelong with Sam Hooper, in a best on ground display, and Connor Dixon bagging three each.  Adam Tomaro, Patrick Howe and Jeremiah Antypas kicked two each for Marcellin, with Shaun Tyquin their best.

Monash Blues took on Parkdale in a good old-fashioned slog at Frearson Oval, emerging victorious by three goals in an encounter that will leave a lot of boys rather sore on Sunday morning. The vultures were goalless in the first half, registering six behinds only, but only went to the sheds 14 points down as Monash kicked the only three goals. Both sides managed just one goal in the third term as the same margin remained at the final turn, leaving all to play for in the last twenty minutes. Parkdale kept knocking at the door, but the experience of the Blues held sway and the Vultures could get no closer, Monash saluting by eighteen points. The Blues had six individual goal kickers, with the more defensive-minded Lachlan Cosgriff, MacGregor Cameron and Daniel Easson excellent. Sam Hart kicked two for Parkdale, with Ethan Marshall and Matthew Emmanouil their best.

Mazenod took control of their encounter against UHS-VU from the opening bell, and did not let their foot off the accelerator until the day was done. Six goals to one in the opening term did the job, and although UHS were more competitive in the second quarter, Mazenod repeated the dose in the third stanza. That left the Nodders with a 75-point advantage at the final change. To their credit, at no stage did UHS-VU shirk the contest, sharing the fourth quarter spoils three goals each, but Mazenod were intent on stamping their finals credentials and prevailed by 77 points. Peter Rozanitis kept the scorers busy with four goals.  Matthew Fewings was best afield, and he and Bradley Kovac kicked three goals each. For UHS-VU, none battled harder than Todd Cracknell, James Gilfillan and Harrison Rocke.

Old Mentonians: Bye

Photo: Old Geelong Football Club