Plethora of heavy defeats as the top 3 rampage

The big defeats continued in Round 7 of the Premier C Men’s competition, with the top three all securing damaging victories. There were goals aplenty to boost percentages for Parkdale, AJAX, and Old Carey. Whilst Marcellin fought tooth and nail to secure the four points, thwarting Oakleigh’s closest chance yet at victory.

AJAX continued their dominant form in 2024 with a commanding 126-point victory against the Monash Blues. AJAX were the better side throughout the afternoon as the Blues struggled to keep up with the home team’s fast scoring with 17 goals kicked to half time.

The victors had many contributors to its monstrous scoreline, with Richie Simon continuing his stellar form with a further five goals this week, as did Justin Vogel, whilst Adam Caplan contributed four goals.

AJAX will be looking to continue this trend of big wins to close in on first place, only separated by percentage, whilst the Blues will continue to fight to climb the ladder with positions still fluctuating.

Old Carey defeated Glen Eira/Old McKinnon by 80 points at Packer Park. Both sides were well matched in the first quarter with just the one point separating the two teams in favour of Glen Eira. Whilst Old Carey broke away after quarter time, the Gryphons were lucky to not be facing a larger deficit as inaccuracy cost Old Carey a bigger lead.

The second half belonged to the visitors who piled on a further fourteen goals compared to the Gryphons five. Trent Warren had another standout game, kicking six goals for Old Carey, whilst Riley Thompson coming off his five goal haul last week, backed it up this week with four majors to his name. If Old Carey want to further boost their percentage and push for a top two spot, the challenge will be to convert more behinds into goals.

In a one-sided affair, the Parkdale Vultures defeated Mazenod by 79 points. This was a critical game for Mazenod, despite being the underdogs, a win would’ve kept them breathing down the necks of the top four.

The Vultures dominated from start to finish, extending their lead at each break, however, as has been a common theme across Premier C, inaccuracy in front of goal denied the Vultures a greater winning margin, finishing with a scoreline of 14.23 (107).

The league’s leading goal-kicker Mitch Brown increased his goal tally for the season with a further five majors this week. Jack Edwards, Josh Stolp and Jarrod Peake also stood up for the winning side. This loss leaves Mazenod one game and a fair percentage gap out of the top four with a tough matchup against AJAX looming next round.

In a reasonably close match at Trevor Barker Oval, the Hampton Rovers were victorious over PEGS by 28 points.

Whilst the Rovers started well and took a 16-point lead into quarter-time, the second quarter belonged to PEGS as the visitors kicked three goals and narrowed the margin. However, the Rovers turned things around in the premiership quarter kicking four goals to PEGS’ one as Joshua Docking did well in front of goals ending the day with three majors.

A 33-point deficit was going to be hard for PEGS to account for in the final term, and whilst PEGS did play better in the fourth quarter, they left their run too late as the Rovers claimed the four points with an 11.15 (81) to 8.5 (53) win. Hugo Lay, Harry Crisp and Ryan Leslie were among the best players for the Rovers.

Despite their best efforts to record their first win of the season, Oakleigh lost to Marcellin in a nail-biting contest by 11 points.

In front of their home crowd, Oakleigh had a dream start, kicking five goals to Marcellin’s one in the first quarter. Marcellin fought back after quarter-time, outscoring Oakleigh and taking a 1-point lead into half-time. The game was in the balance and was anyone’s for the taking. Both sides were hungry for the contest and ready to make an impact in the second half.

The third quarter was evenly fought with three goals to two in favour of Oakleigh, the final quarter started with the home side leading by five points. Whilst Oakleigh kicked one early extending the lead to 11 points, Marcellin’s players stood up and moved the ball well to kick the next four goals, enough to see them through to the end of the game. Special mention to Oakleigh’s Luke Ashen who contributed seven of Oakleigh’s eleven goals.

Round 8 is important with all sides looking to finish on a high before the weekend off.

An exciting game looms between PEGS and the Parkdale Vultures. Whilst the Vultures have asserted their dominance at the top of the ladder with a healthy percentage, PEGS have had some good performances this year but have struggled to be consistent. Nonetheless, PEGS will be up for the challenge hosting the Vultures on their home turf.

Glen Eira/Old McKinnon will meet the Monash Blues in a battle of 8^th v 9^th. The Blues were dominant in Premier C back in 2022 but have struggled to return to those highs this year, so will be looking for a win against last years Division 1 premiers.

Elsewhere, AJAX host Mazenod at Gary Smorgon Oval, the Hampton Rovers face off against Marcellin at Trevor Barker, whilst Oakleigh, still searching for their first win, travel north to play Old Carey in Bulleen.