ANZAC tributes flow as Old Scotch and St Kevins storm home in U19 Premier

Joel Kennedy

It was an important weekend of football in Holmesglen Under 19 Men’s Premier, with all games paying respect to the ANZAC week tradition.

The opening contest of the Saturday schedule saw the unbeaten Old Brighton facing De La Salle at Waverly Oval. Jonah Campigli again led from the front for Brighton, slotting four majors and assisting heavily to the 79-point-win.

Cooper Dowe and Luke Travers continued their form down forward whilst Mason Szonyi, Sam Litis and Oliver Goodger were also impressive.  Marvin Elliott, Joel Tyquin, and Jonah Zitzen flew the flag for the opposition in the heavy defeat.

After the tough result, the De La Salle boys have fallen to four losses, with no wins, and sit at the bottom of the league ladder. Despite the disappointing start, they hold many talented prospects who will look to swing the ledger. De La Salle continue their season next week when they face Caulfield Grammarians at Glen Huntly Park.

Later in the day, Old Scotch edged out Beaumaris in an entertaining matchup at Banksia reserve. After trailing for the entirety of the day, Old Scotch rallied, kicking six goals to nothing in the final term to run away with the 32-point victory.

Sam Norman concluded the game with four majors for the winners, whilst Will Hucker, Connor Ferguson, Henry Long, Aiden Brien and Preston Johnson also put in solid performances.

For Beaumaris, the result was disappointing, yet encouraging. Angus Bowd continued his stellar form, whilst Mitchell Davidson, Aiden McCarthy, Thomas Federici, Jacob Whitehouse and Ned Bodi were also imposing.

University Blues dominated their matchup against Williamstown CYMS at Crawford Oval, coming away 89-point winners. Ash Spencer and Edmund Wallis spearheaded the victory, kicking three goals each.

Leading at every break, Max Diffey, Grant Walker, Johnny Pring and Oliver Williams were amongst the best, and provided some incredible highlights.  For Williamstown, Levi Cossey, jack wheeler, Liam Taylor provided some positive moments.

The final game of Saturday saw St Kevins pitted against old rivals St Bedes/Mentone Tigers. A tight contest from the outset, St Kevins entered the final break with a measly one-point lead. It was Liam Edwards who stood up, leading his side to a final quarter domination. St Kevins would run away 21-point winners, an impressive performance indeed.

It was Sebastian Duffy, George Delimitrou, Xavier Duke, oscar white and Ben Cantwell who also helped immensely in the victory.  For the opposition St Bedes/Mentone Tigers, Bennett Martin, Thomas Aughterson and Liam Bowles impressed.

In the final game of the round, Sunday’s contest between Caulfield Grammarians and Old Xaverians was tantalising for all who made the trip to Glen Huntly Park. It would be the Old Xaverians who would claim the win, overcoming a brave opposition by 27 points.

For the victors, Harry Bird, Tom Scalzo, Thomas Gorman, Tommy Trist, Xavier Austin and Ed Dalton put in strong performances, whilst Jack Iverson, Bailey Mullen, James Hill, and Luca Trumble impressed for Caulfield.