A Thriller at the Trott as lightning wreaks havoc elsewhere

A memorable weekend of footy for the Purple Army. Down and out. Flat. They were a shadow of the side that took Old Melburnians to the sword in Round 15. Yet, somehow they found a way to come from 15 points behind at the final change to hold on over University Blues by one point.

Elsewhere, Old Scotch have thrown the top four into chaos upsetting Old Brighton, at Brighton Beach Oval. St Bernard’s pushed Old Melburnians deep into the final quarter. St Kevin’s are one win away from the minor Premiership and Old Xaverians claim the points in dramatic scenes at the Daley Oval with the game abandoned at half-time due to lightning in the area.

In the RSN Carnival Match of the Day, Collegians were on the lookout for eight straight victories. University Blues looking to avoid any further discussion of relegation. Without Sam Grimley (broken finger) the Blues had a different style forward line and it almost paid dividends with a blistering second quarter to go into the main change 13 points up. That lead was extended to 15 at three quarter time. Ayce Cordy in the ruck, Eddie Ziebarth in the midfield, Rhys Hultgren up forward. It was working beautifully for the Uni. Before Jared Rivers last ditch effort to harness the spirit the Lions have fought with in the previous 7-weeks to mount one last charge.

Isolating Dave Mirra in the goalsquare. The break glass in case of emergency move. Mirra kicked three final quarter goals in an enormous 30 minutes of football. Ed Greene ruffled the feathers of his opponents and added one more himself. Sam Sofrinidis started to clunk marks across half back, and Kenny Ong was at the bottom of every pack. Eight in a row, by the barest of margins, in a finals like atmosphere. If that’s the precursor to September, we’re in for one helluva finish to 2022.

Part of me is surprised that Old Scotch have come away winners against Old Brighton yesterday. However, part of me isn’t. It’s what Mark Gnatt and his troops have been able to do all year long. From just about any position, stay competitive in games, and when momentum is on the Cardinals side, they’re unstoppable. Trailing by 24 points at half time, it was a 5-goal to one third term that put the game on their terms before ramming home another four goals in the last quarter to seal the game. Tyler Sellers kicked four for the Cardinals with James Tarrant kicking three in a best on ground display.

The loss is the Tonners third from their last four home games, it was somewhat against the odds for the Tonners drops them outside the top two, and leaves them vulnerable with a fortnight to go. They have the toughest of tough games to finish. Finals starts now for them, St Kevin’s awaits in Round 17, before Old Melburnians in Round 18.

Old Melburnians are back up to second spot on the table. Before the round started yesterday, they were the side looking the most vulnerable of the top five to miss out on September action. Lightening around the Essendon area postponed the game during the third quarter for 25 minutes with the scores locked at 63 apiece. However, at the restart of play the OM’s were able to pull away from the Snowdogs with five goals to one and win by 25 points.

10 individual goalkickers from their 14 goals. Jackson Paine named best on ground. That’s the reason alone this team can win this years Premiership. The inability to lock down every forward in the OM’s attack makes opposition sides indecisive about who to lock down on.

With Collegians, and St Kevin’s to come St Bernard’s will likely head to Premier B in 2023. But, the door is still slightly ajar given the topsy turvy nature of this season. Yesterday may have been the wake up call for Collegians that they needed before September, it looks ominous ahead of Round 17’s battle.

St Kevin’s held a 9-point lead at half time over Caulfield at Glen Huntly Oval before putting the foot on the accelerator in the second half. 12 goals to two to blow the Fields away and make that grasp on the minor Premiership even tighter. Patty Kerr (5), Phil Edgar (4), Shaun Kennedy (2), Jack Darmody (2). Week in, week out. It’s the same names bobbing up in front of goal which will please Plugger Lynch, the form his team is in heading to September.

Cam Hodges has been terrific through the midfield this year for SKOB. As well as Luke Winter, the next up and coming star of this team.

Caulfield have four wins next to their name. They’re safe, barring catastrophe from being relegated. Yesterday, they were outmuscled by the ladder leaders and the favourites for this years title. Jack Ellwood (2) and Jack Webster through the midfield don’t stop trying for the full contest. Two players who will hold this side in good stead through 2023.

Old Xaverians kept Old Trinity goalless in the opening half before lightning in the area, within close proximity to the ground had the game cancelled at half time. As per VAFA matchday rules, requirements and regulations, any game called off from half time and beyond, the scores will stand as the final scores.

Old Xaverians 5.12.42 def. Old Trinity 0.1.1 – The half of footy the Xav’s got to play could have netted a bigger margin had they been accurate in front of goal. It’s four points they needed to come away with. They’ve gained a further 5%. It has set up a massive Round 17 against Old Melburnians at Elsternwick Park. It could well be an Elimination Final.

How exciting is this finish!?

Photo: Bruce Tobin, Collegians FC