Vultures soar in a nail-biting thriller, as PEGS unleash a 7-goal quarter

Ari Paevere

Round 13 of the Premier C Men’s competition was an exciting one as the ladder continues to shuffle with only 5 rounds of footy left.

In a thrilling encounter at Carey Sports Complex, Old Carey and Parkdale Vultures battled it out in a high-stakes 8-point match that held significant implications for the ladder. As the clock wound down and Old Carey trailed by 2 goals, Connor Ogilvie stepped up, with a massive run-down tackle that earned him a crucial set shot opportunity from about 50 meters out. Despite the pressure and having to rush his routine Ogilvie managed to send the ball soaring through the big sticks, bringing Old Carey to within a goal.

With around forty-five seconds left for Old Carey to score a major, the ball ping-ponged from one end to the other with the siren sounding to the Vultures relief as they held on by 4 points to keep their finals hopes alive. This must-win match pushed them within half a game of the top 4, largely thanks to Max Phillips, who delivered an outstanding performance, slotting 4 goals for the Vultures.

On the other hand, Old Carey now finds themselves three games adrift of the top 4, making it an uphill battle for them to secure a finals spot by the end of the season.

In another intriguing match, Mazenod seemed to be on course for a victory over PEGS with a 22-point lead going into the second half. However, PEGS displayed their class and determination, staging an incredible comeback in the third quarter, scoring 7 unanswered goals. This impressive surge secured them a ten-point victory as they continue their hunt to reclaim top spot on the ladder.

PEGS’ Jack Fenner played a significant role, contributing 5 goals to their triumph, while Mitchel D’Angelo chipped in with 3 goals for Mazenod. As they now only sit a half game clear in the top 4, Mazenod will need to bank some wins to solidify a potential finals position.

In a dominating display, Old Ivanhoe kept Marcellin goalless in the first half and secured a massive 98-point win, significantly bolstering their percentage. William Murphy, Luke Scuderi, Patrick Naish, and Harrison Frazer were instrumental, combining for an impressive 15 of Ivanhoe’s 20 goals. As a result, Old Ivanhoe now enjoys being two games clear in the top 4 with a significant percentage advantage.

Meanwhile, Old Camberwell tightened their grip on the top spot with a 6-goal victory over second-bottom Ormond. Although they found themselves trailing at halftime, they fought back fiercely, producing an impressive 8 goal third quarter to seal the deal. Liam Thomas had a standout performance, slotting 6 goals for Camberwell, while Harry Laukens followed suit with 5 goals of his own.

As we look ahead to Round 14, some exciting matchups are on offer. Mazenod will take on Old Ivanhoe at Central Reserve in a crucial battle between third and fourth place, with the outcome having significant ramifications on the ladder. Parkdale faces a tough test against PEGS, as both teams aim to climb higher on the ladder with finals soon approaching.

Old Camberwell will enjoy a bye week, while Hampton will return from their bye to face Marcellin. Meanwhile, Old Carey will be eager to secure a win over Ormond to keep their season hopes alive.