Parkdale snatch victory as Monash go outright top

Hugh Maclean

Parkdale Vultures snatched an incredible one-point victory over Old Geelong with the last kick of the day, while Monash Blues recorded a big win over Marcellin to go outright top, with Hampton Rovers having the bye. Here’s what took place in round 16 of Premier C Men’s.

Old Ivanhoe kept hold of fifth spot with a reasonably comfortable victory at Ormond.  The win was set up through a six goal to one first quarter, a margin that was to remain constant throughout the afternoon as the locals could not get any sort of foothold into the match.  To their credit, Ormond were able to share the spoils for the last three quarters, with the two sides kicking nine goals each, but the damage had been done.  Old Ivanhoe rode on the backs of Matthew Vacirca (four goals), and Michael Mitris and Daniel Stanford (three each), but it was Jacob Agrotis that did most to set the machine in motion.  The consistent Zach Benson and Henry Simon were pivotal in keeping Ormond in the game, with Benson, Sam Mason and Matt Oaten registering two goals each.

Monash Blues took full advantage of Hampton Rovers’ bye week to take sole ownership of the top of the table.  Marcellin shared the first quarter’s six goals equally with their highly credentialled opponents, but that was as good as it got for the Eagles as the Blues kept them to one goal in each of the final three stanzas.  In the meantime Monash were able to streak away themselves, increasing their margin at every change and finishing with a six-goal flurry that blew the margin out to its final 71-point resting place.  With the big end-of-season matches looming large, the Monash faithful will be well pleased with the machine ticking over just nicely.  Nick Darling took his season goals tally to 45 with another haul of five, while Daniel Easson and James Flett dominated on the day.  Jackson Tierney and Adam Tomaro worked hard for Marcellin, who had six individual goalkickers.

Old Mentonians looked second best to fourth-placed Mazenod for the bulk of the day at Keysborough, but the locals came home like steam trains to finish just short of the points.  The home side looked as though they had left their boots in the dressing room, remaining goalless in the first term as Mazenod took a 20-point advantage to the first change, but the game sprang to life in the second term.  Old Mentonians’ five majors were more than matched by Mazenod’s seven, and an even third quarter meant that the game looked all over bar the shouting at three-quarter time as the Nodders led by 25.  Nobody told Simon Cormie’s Panthers that the game was done however, as they laid siege to the goal, kicking five for the last quarter with only one miss.  At the other end Mazenod could not buy a goal, but the one that they did kick was enough to get them across the line by four points.  Jack Caspersz had another good day in front of goal for Mazenod with four majors, while Damian Byrne and Mitchel D’Angelo were their best.  Darcy Brown did his best to lift Old Mentonians to victory with three goals, with Alex Cross and Jai Florent prominent.

UHS-VU reversed their opening round defeat to the Preston Bullants to register their third win in as many outings at a cold, wet Princes Park.  A tight affair in the first term saw a solitary goal each before the Uni took control in the second quarter.  It was a game of inaccuracy as seventeen behinds combined were registered in the first half, but UHS-VU’s four goals to one gave them a lead that could not be curtailed for the afternoon.  Preston stuck at their task manfully, but could only go goal-for-goal with UHS-VU for the second half, reducing the half time margin by but a single point as UHS-VU ran out four-goal winners.  Brandon Jackson kicked three goals and Pat Wernert two for the University, with Ben Dimattina best afield.  Conor Howard kicked two goals for Preston, with Nathan Parkes and Alex Johnston working hard for the Bullants’ cause.

Arguably the match of the round, and one of the best encounters of the season, took place at Como Park as Old Geelong hosted the Parkdale Vultures in a good old-fashioned slog which literally came down to the final kick.  Old Geelong had the best of the territory in the first quarter but could only manage four points to trail at quarter time to Parkdale’s single goal.  Parkdale continued to kick straight in the second term, their five first half goals coming without blemish as Old Geelong came into the sheds a goal down.  The trend continued in the final quarter as conditions worsened, Parkdale kicking two goals to one to extend the margin to eleven points turning for home.  Old Geelong had all the play in the last quarter, but could only kick 1.6.  With scores level a scrubby behind was registered to give Parkdale the lead, and before the goal umpire could finish waving the flags the siren rang through the air, delivering the Vultures four precious points with it.  Sam Hart’s three goals were instrumental in Parkdale’s win, with Charlie Yee and Harry Kilfoyle prominent.  Chris Hatzis kicked two goals for Old Geelong, with Tim Breadmore and William Loone best. Watch the replay on VAFATV >