Old Ivanhoe stun Beaumaris in final term thriller

Paddy Grindlay

Old Ivanhoe’s rapid acclimatisation to Premier B football has continued in Round 5, the ladder-leaders flipping a 26-point third quarter deficit into a stirring six-point victory over Beaumaris at Banksia Reserve.

With dependable backman Reed Jepsen absent and just one rotation on the bench from the early throes of third term, Old Ivanhoe coach Jarrod Gieschen was forced to adjust his squad’s structure, successfully coming up with a seven-goal-to-one run from the 18-minute mark of the third quarter to the 16-minute mark of the fourth.

Three last-quarter goals to Daniel Hughes and two to 18-year-old Archie Franklin helped Old Ivanhoe secure a famous victory, placing the reigning Premier C premiers one game clear in the top two with a 12.10 (82) to 12.4 (76) victory.

“To do what we did was pretty special for our group,” Gieschen said, with Nick Riddle, Sam Keogh and Max Whiteman all forced out of the match with hamstring injuries. Midfielder Billy Murphy (39 disposals, 11 clearances) was instrumental in the comeback victory – particularly in an “unbelievable” final quarter where he gathered 13 disposals, 4 inside 50s and 4 clearances.

“Billy played one of the better quarters you’ll ever see,” Gieschen said. “He willed us across the line. He was unbelievable.”

Spencer McLennan (32 disposals, 9 intercepts) impressed Beaumaris coach Josh Bourke, while Nate Dear bagged three majors. “We’re focusing on maintaining effort and hopefully getting some reward,” Bourke said.
De La Salle and Old Haileybury played out a thriller of their own at Waverley Oval, the momentum swinging wildly between two of Premier B’s most impressive squads.

A four-goal-to-one opening salvo from De La was met by a six-goal-to-one response from Old Haileybury, who turned the screws further in the third term, leading by 40 points at the final break.

“Throughout that second and third quarter – it wasn’t so much the in-tight stuff, it was the spread,” said Nick Hyland, with Old Haileybury’s Brede Seccull, Josh Gasparini and Hugo Nosiara able to transition from the contest to the outside with relative ease.

Having been well beaten across the middle quarters, De La Salle responded remarkably, storming home, and doubling their 6.4 (40) three quarter time score in quick time – although Nick Hyland’s men fell just short, going down 13.5 (83) to 13.12 (90).

“Ultimately, we left ourselves too much to do,” said Hyland. “You can’t concede 11 goals to two through the middle quarters and expect to come out on top.” The coach threw caution to the wind at the final break, throwing Trent Shannon and Tom Docherty on-ball while defender Ryan O’Meara went forward, having had Old Haileybury’s Max Sinclair for company in a defensive forward role throughout the affair.

Despite coming up short, Hyland will be glad for the opportunity to test players in new roles, should he need to get creative later in the season.

After an 0-2 start to the season, Daniel Ward’s side has peeled off three consecutive wins and now sits atop a logjam of 3-2 teams in third position. Sam Loewe punted five goals – including the sealer – in what will be his last game of the season, the forward heading overseas for a work commitment. “That was a going-away present for Sam,” said Ward. “He’s gone out with a fantastic performance.”

With positions in the top four already looking to be exceptionally hard to come by, taking a win from the trip to Waverely may be crucial comes finals time.

A five-goal run in the third term has secured Old Geelong its third win of the season, breaking free of a spirited St Bedes/Mentone squad at Como Park. Despite being winless so far this year, the Tigers ensured Old Geelong didn’t have their own way early in the piece, going into half time with just a one-goal deficit.

Josh Cowan (39 disposals) was impressive and Sam Buck and Jack Ferraro (two goals apiece in the first half) gave Old Geelong coach Nathan Brown a bit to think about during the long break.

Having been out-marked up to half time, Old Geelong began to dominate in the air, racking up 30 marks (26 uncontested) in the third quarter to take control of the ground and establishing a 29-point gap at three quarter time that proved insurmountable for Brad Berry’s men. In the end, Old Geelong ran out 34-point winners, 17.12 (114) to 12.8 (80).

Nathan Brown gave credit to the young Tigers squad, while lauding the “crafty” Connor Dixon (17 disposals, 4 goals) and impressive midfielder Nick Freeman (27 disposals). “His ball use was really good…he’s a really impressive young kid.” The next three weeks loom as a key testing period for Old Geelong, with Old Trinity, Old Haileybury and Beaumaris ahead. “A real good challenge for us in Premier B to see where we’re at,” Brown said.

After an early break from the pack, Old Trinity has been pulled back to the ladder logjam that spans third down to seventh, unable to go with Old Camberwell’s second half acceleration at Gordon Barnard Reserve.

It’s a pleasing result for Anson Brownless’ side, who have graduated to Premier B with Old Ivanhoe this year and, like the Hoers, show no signs of struggling with promotion. Brownless’ chargers trailed by three points at the main break but booted six goals to three in the third term, before finishing the job with five-goals-to-two in the fourth, running out 18.8 (116) to 12.11(83) winners.

“Just keep moving the footy quick” was the message for Old Camberwell, who had Harry Laukens (five goals) to kick to and exciting half back Lachie O’Neill to do the delivery job. It’s been a pre-season that’s focused on fitness and four-quarter consistency at Old Camberwell, with the knowledge that Premier B football will extract a higher toll.

Garnet Brennan rucked in the absence of stalwart Gus Milham, doing a manful job as part of an all-in approach from Old Camberwell. “They saw the results on Saturday – everyone does the little things, you get a result like that,” Brownless said.

For Donald McDonald, this week’s work on the track will likely focus on execution in the back half, with unforced turnovers hurting Old Trinity late. “That should give our players confidence – if we tighten up, we’re in the ball game,” he said. Jack Hindson, who has been tasked with playing a variety of roles this season, continues to excel while Hugo McGlashan was yet again dangerous.

Finally, lapses either side of quarter time cost Williamstown CYMS in its clash with Caulfield Grammarians at Glen Huntly Park, Guy McKenna’s side forcing itself into the top two with a 12.10 (82) to 6.13 (49) win.

The Grammarians’ dangerous forward line again proved to be a problem, Julian Dobosz enjoying a five-goal outing while Jasper Rouget added two of his own. McKenna praised the work of forwards coach Jono Nash, who has his front half humming with five rounds of the season in the book. “It was Jules (Dobosz) this week – two weeks ago it was Jasper Rouget,” McKenna said of his multi-pronged attack.

The Caulfield forwards play unselfishly, providing each other the space to contest in a one-on-one, which can be picked out by the likes of Oscar Roberts (28 disposals) and Sam McInerney (22 disposals). “Jules will get the best defender next week and someone else will bob up.”

Williamstown CYMS coach Con Terozglou has been able to focus his side on key areas of the contest but found “20 or 30 minutes of down-time” across the course of a game has cost the CYs.

“We believe that we’ve found the way to work through and be a bit more competitive…if that keeps improving, I think we’ll eventually break through,” he said. Liam Conway (29 disposals, 9 clearances) worked hard through the midfield for the visitors.

This Saturday, the CYs host Beaumaris while Caulfield Grammarians visit Old Haileybury in Caulfield South, Old Ivanhoe take on De La Salle at Chelsworth Park, Old Trinity will look to snap a two-game losing skid when it hosts Old Geelong and St Bedes/Mentone will play Old Camberwell.