Sharks prove the Snowdogs are human

Josh Heriot

Round 12 may prove to be the turning point in the 2023 season for the Beaumaris Sharks. Going into the contest against St Bernard’s the Sharks were on a three game losing streak and in danger of sliding further down the table. 

The Snowdogs have taken it all before them to this point of the year. At half-time, with a 31 point lead, presumptions around Banksia Reserve suggested Steven Alessio’s men were about to make it an even dozen to start 2023. 

Enter Joey Nowell, and Ben Hempel. The two lads up forward provided the spark the home side needed as they slammed on eight goals in the third term to level the scores going into the final quarter. 

St Bernard’s wrestled back the lead with the first couple of goals before the Sharks halted the Snowdogs momentum, closed the lead, and hit the front in the dying stages to hold on to a 1-point lead claiming victory, against the odds. 

The Sharks remain in fourth spot, keeping Old Geelong outside the four on percentage. The first blemish of the year for St Bernard’s. 

Round 13 rolls around after the Big V representative game, St Bernard’s welcomes Old Geelong to the College while Beaumaris travels to Monash University with the intention of cementing their place in the four. 

After two straight losses Fitzroy returned to the winners list under the Friday night lights against Old Trinity. A cold winter’s night in July saw both sides evenly matched in the opening term before the Roys were able to eek out the momentum with nine goals to four from there. 

Marcel Laidlaw was the pick of the bunch in front of goal kicking four majors. He was supported by Aidan Lambert who kicked three. 

Alex Emery was the T’s best player, from six games this year he’s featured in Donald McDonald’s best players on four occasions. Harry Thompson, part of the Big V starting 18 continued his good form kicking a goal. 

The loss leaves Old Trinity in seventh spot, two games outside the top four. With six games remaining in the season, Williamstown is the only side they’ll meet who sit below them on the table. 

Fitzroy head back to Brunswick St Oval in Round 13, now a game behind St Bernard’s and will face AJAX with the aim to close the gap to square and maintain their spot in the top two. 

After a terrific month of footy Williamstown CYMS suffered their first loss since round 7 at the hands of Old Geelong.

Earlier this year, these sides played a thriller with the OG’s winning by five points. At quarter time this weekend it was in danger of blowing out. Old Geelong with 6.6.42 in the first term to open up a 30 point lead. 

The CY’s wouldn’t be denied and whittled the margin back to 13 points at the final change. 

The mountain was too big to climb as the OG’s recorded their seventh win of the season by 23 points. Luke Morfoot and Will Stephenson combined for seven goals as Harry Kol put together one of his best performances of the season. 

Tane Roordink and was named the best player for the CY’s. They’ve won over a lot of fans in 2023, and will continue to make their presence known in Premier B for the remainder of 2023. 

With six games remaining, they’re not completely safe from relegation just yet, but a win against De La Salle in Round 13 will certainly go a long way to helping the cause. 

Old Geelong are on the doorstep of a Premier B finals campaign, Nathan Brown’s men have every right to dream, and believe it’s possible. St Bernard’s is the next assignment at the College after the bye. 

St Bede’s / Mentone Tigers are quietly building their way back up the table. Beating Ajax by 65 points to make it four wins from their past five matches. 

The Tigers sit equal with Old Geelong and Beaumaris at 7-5 with one third of the season remaining. After an even first term, the SBMT exploded in the second quarter to set up the victory with eight goals to open up a 45 point lead at the main change. 

The margin grew from there after half-time with Caleb Lewis adding another four goals to his season tally. Michael Barnes helped himself to three majors and Jack Benhk kicked two in his first senior game since May. 

Aaron Ostilly in his senior debut was the shining light for the Jackers and named the clubs best player on the ground. 

They’ll take on Fitzroy in a fortnight’s time. St Bede’s head back to Brindisi St, in what will be Jane’s Match against Old Trinity. 

De La Salle are in the same boat as the Tigers, four wins from their past five matches. After accounting for Monash on Saturday, they’re sitting pretty in third spot with a one-game buffer on the chasing pack. 

The margin could have been far greater at quarter time for the boys of the Dairybell. Kicking 3.10.28 to open proceedings. 

They were able to straight up after that kicking 13.8 to 2.4 from quarter time adding a much needed addition to their percentage that will help to keep them in the top four if they find themselves slipping. 

Nathan Scollo and Adrian Indovino combined for eight goals up forward. Luke Healy was instrumental throughout the afternoon. 

The two blues were unable to go with De La on their home-track and found the going tough. Alex Bennett’s last month has been impressive, finding his way into the best players regularly. 

Beaumaris travels to Monash Uni in a fortnight’s time. De La head bayside to tackle the CY’s in what should be a ding-dong battle.