A cracker at the King as OM’s & the Fields open their accounts

It’s proven to be a weekend exactly how we predicted. With pre-season predictions falling by the wayside that has sent the tips all over the place.

Caulfield Grammarians and Old Melburnians are on the board, whilst Old Brighton have inflicted St Kevin’s with their first loss of the season. All the while the Cardinals have moved to top spot on the table with one game to go in Round 6 of the season.

The RSN Xtra Match of the Day pinned Old Brighton against St Kevin’s. Significant changes to both sides from last years Grand Final, SKOB on a 13-game winning streak without Mitch and Josh Wallis, Jock Nelson Medallist Tom Jok, and defender Nick Sing. Old Brighton without their fearless leader Harry Hill (fractured vertebrae), Max Kennedy, Max Lohan and Petrus Olivier.

Add to the outs, Lochie Filipovic (abdomen) left the ground and didn’t return early in the second quarter. The load in the ruck was left to Felix Flockhart, he was enormous for the Tonners and went a long way to them walking off the ground winners.

A 12-point half-time lead extended to 30 at the final change before the SKOB train got going. They nearly pinched it from the jaws of defeat, but with every question St Kevin’s threw, Dan Donati’s men had the answer. Ben Pryor took out the full podium of spots for goal of the day contenders, while Tom Fisher (stand-in captain) led from the front in the midfield.

It won’t be panic stations at all for the reigning premiers. Next week the next challenger awaits, their modern-day rivals, Collegians at Harry Trott Oval. Old Brighton welcome Old Scotch to Brighton Beach Oval.

Old Melburnians are on the board in 2023. They’ve had everything go wrong that possibly could across the first five rounds of the season. Coming off a 114 point loss, they would’ve walked into training this week with tails between their legs on Tuesday night.

Paul Satterley is a positive man, who looks on the brighter side of life. Even he maybe held questions and reservations to himself last Saturday, on the back of the injury to Charles Dowling. Maybe those questions reared their ugly head again during the contest when they were trailing by 25 points early on before they worked their way back into the contest.

Led by skipper Jackson Paine, the OM’s wrestled back the margin to under a goal and managed to be in front when the final siren sounded over University Blacks.

Three goals to Tom Baker, Ben Harding one of the best through the midfield. John Roysmith was back in the team and found his way onto the scoreboard and part of the best.

Moorfield, Steadman and Ernest all amongst the best. The two defenders have plenty to hold their heads up high about from the individual seasons they’re building. University Blacks will rue this match as one that got away, they’re next few weeks pins them against Old Xaverians, Old Scotch, and Collegians. Tough tasks, but one thing you can rest assured on, Dale Bower’s men won’t stop trying.

Caulfield Grammarians have had little to smile about across the opening five weeks. Today, it all came together for them. Celebrating big man Julian Dobosz’s 50th game, the Fields, like OM’s are on the board in 2023.

It’s no surprise that Oscar Roberts was named the best player for Guy McKenna. He has, in a short space of time become one of the Premier defenders. He could well find his way into a Big V jumper on July 15. Jack Webster went into the middle & dominated for the Fields, whilst Dobosz kicked three goals.

Old Haileybury had enough looks at goal, 23 scoring shots for 5.18.48 – Inaccuracy in front of the sticks halting the momentum they held from an opening quarter lead. Held to two goals after quarter time as Caulfield kicked away with seven of their own.

With St Kevin’s losing to Old Brighton, we go into Sunday with a new ladder leader, Old Scotch have run away from Old Xaverians to spoil the red and black mafia’s 100 year celebrations at Crown Casino.

The first win since 2018 for the Cardinals, 35-points the final margin will sit beautifully with the boys from Camberwell Sports Park. The lead chopped and changed throughout the contest, but the effort to run over the top of the arch-rivals will impress Mark Gnatt greatly.

After six rounds of footy the Cardinals are proving to the competition they’ve got the legs to go for four quarters and opposition sides need to play every minute of those quarters if they’re to be any chance in knocking them off.

While St Kevin’s and Collegians next week promises to be a belter, Old Scotch travelling to Brighton Beach Oval to face the Tonners is shaping up to be box office footy. Two very similarly built sides who love the tough, contested footy.

The round will conclude tomorrow with Collegians heading out to Melbourne Uni to face University Blues. The Lions coming off back-to-back 100 point victories. Uni Blues off their best win of the season.

These sides have matched up evenly in recent times, we’re still scratching our heads as to how the Lions pulled off the great escape in Round 14 of last year, coming from behind to win by a point.

Dave Mirra will need to be halted by Marty Gleeson or Jack Stephens if the Blues are to be any chance. However, which of the Lions will have the tough task of stopping two-time Woodrow Medallist, Ayce Cordy?

Tune into RSN Xtra2 tomorrow from 1:00 PM for all the action.

Photo: Diggle Photography, CGFC