One out of the fire for De La

Ryan O’Meara was De La Salle’s saviour, coolly slotting a last-minute goal from a set shot to secure a one-point win over an inspired St Bedes/Mentone Tigers.

The winless Tigers came to play on Saturday afternoon, taking a slight lead at every break in a desperately close affair – in what’s been a desperately close season in Premier B.

When Jack Behnk launched a 55-metre missile through the big sticks to put the Tigers nine points clear with ten minutes to go, it appeared the home side were destined to secure its first win of the season – cheered on by a raucous crowd at Mentone Reserve.

Indeed, Behnk had an opportunity to put the result beyond De La’s grasp with 26 minutes gone in the final quarter, but saw his flying left-foot shot at goal drift to the right-hand side for a behind.

With less than a minute remaining in the game and St Bedes/Mentone leading by just five points, Ryan O’Meara – with three goals already to his name – found himself on the right side of the umpire’s whistle; the man in green paying a free against the Tigers for a throw with the ball inside De La’s forward 50.

O’Meara duly converted the set shot, sending De La into a frenzy; the ball ending up in the hands of forward Adrian Indovino as time ran out for a 13.13 (91) to 12.18 (90) victory.

“Pleased to finally be on the other end of a close result,” De La coach Nick Hyland said on Monday, having lost three games this year by a combined total of 13 points.

“I was really impressed with our players’ efforts to hang tough in the last quarter. St Bedes had momentum, home crowd support, we weren’t playing well, yet we managed to stay in the fight.”

Thomas Deane-Jones, Luke Healy and skipper Sean Fisher were composed in defence, with St Bedes/Mentone’s superior ball movement and pressure showing up the men in blue and yellow.

Behnk, Josh Cowan, Jack Ferraro, Lachie Palfrey and Liam Segar all kicked two apiece for the Tigers, who will return from the week off hungrier than ever for their first win of 2024 against Williamstown CYMS.

Williamstown CYMS lacked the ability to execute in a tight first half against Old Trinity, and weren’t given an opportunity to respond in the second half as Donald McDonald’s men booted seven goals to one after half time.

The 13.12 (90) to 3.9 (27) victory slides Donald McDonald’s squad to the top of a host of teams with a 5-3 record, a percentage of 123.1 good enough to squeeze Old Trinity into third spot at the King’s Birthday break – 0.43% clear of De La Salle in fourth.

“A bit of a tough slog in the conditions led to plenty of stoppages and strong tackling from both sides,” said McDonald.

“We were able to remain competitive across four quarters, and defended really well, providing repeat entries for our forwards to kick a winning score.”

Goals to Sam Mason either side of half time largely put paid to the contest, while Dom Payman provided a dangerous target for the likes of Hugo McGlashan, Christos Manoussakis and Alex Emery.

The CYs lacked class, according to coach Con Terzoglou, and gave the OTs far too many opportunities to hit the scoreboard.

“They like ball in hand, we gave them ball in hand, and we paid the price for it,” said Terzoglou.

The 1-7 CYs have played an encouraging month of football, but would be keen to respond to a disappointing second half when they face off with St Bedes/Mentone in a fortnight’s time.

“We do have enough evidence to show that if we execute on our four key pillars that we’re competitive,” Terzoglou said by way of review.

Old Trinity have a date with Beaumaris, the Sharks having put two wins together after a three-game losing skid with an encouraging defeat of Old Geelong at home.

Josh Bourke’s side lead the chasing pack of three teams with 4-4 records sitting sixth, seventh and eighth in a competition the Sharks coach describes as “the bizarrest in the world”.

It’ll be a story of well-timed runs and availability in the second phase of the season – and Beaumaris, with their five VAFA’s Big V Premier B-Division 3 Men’s squad representatives (Callum Heath, Joe Nowell, Riley Virtue, Riley Mihailovic and Callum Linehan) are as well positioned as any.

Heath – a “man-mountain” in the ruck – made hay without Jack Sheridan in the ruck for Old Geelong, stamping his credentials as one of the premier big men in the competition.

“Not only is he a very handy ruckman, but his marking around the ground is probably second to none in the comp,” said Bourke.

Beaumaris booted four goals to two in the second quarter to take a slender lead into the long break, remained in front despite booting five successive behinds to finish the third term, then booted six goals in a row in the final term to kill off any chance of an Old Geelong comeback.

Jai Florent, Petar Pecer and Luka Pecer were a few of the Sharks’ best, while Harrison Kol and Mickey Nicholls continued their standout seasons for Nathan Brown’s unit.

“Beaumaris was really impressive,” said Brown.

“They were better than us all day, but our boys showed great fight to get close by three quarter time.

“But (the) last quarter was all Sharks, who were deserved winners.”

Old Haileybury’s hold on first spot on the ladder will continue in the week off, the Bloods starting hot then doing enough to hold off Old Ivanhoe at Chelsworth Park.

Jarrod Gieschen’s men were left to rue a tardy first quarter, conceding four goals in six-and-a-half-minutes to start the game and giving up a 33-point lead before Seamus Gibbs kicked their first goal.

“That was the margin at the end of the day,” said Gieschen of the frantic start – the Bloods running out 24-point winners, 13.9 (87) to 9.9 (63).

“(The result) shows we have some work to do to match it with the benchmark team, but we aren’t too far off,” he said.

Harrison Reid continued a strong month of footy, while Michael Mitris kicked two goals – ultimately, the Hoers left themselves too much to do and finish the first two months of the season in fifth position.

For Daniel Ward, the last month-and-a-half has been the perfect tonic to slow start to 2024.

“After a 0-2 start, to win the next six has been pleasing,” he said

Mattias Rose and Noah Higgins impressed from their respective wings, while Ward found goal kickers in Lachie Vaughan (three), Will Abraham (two) and Andreas Stefanakis (two).

After the break, they’ll take on second-placed Old Camberwell, also 6-2 after escaping a Caulfield Grammarians comeback at Gordon Barnard Reserve.

A four-goal run before half time saw the Wellers lead by 26 points at the long break – but the Grammarians responded strongly, punting 5.2 (32) to 0.3 (3) in the third term to take the lead.

In a tight final term with just two goals kicked, an outstanding individual effort from Harry McColl deep inside 50 gave the Wellers a one-point lead at the 16-minute mark – McColl swooping on a loose football and snapping across his body to kick his second goal of the afternoon.

In the final ten minutes of the game the Grammarians were unable to control possession, entering their forward fifty just once, where Josh Hutchings was unable to convert a set shot.

The 7.14 (56) to 8.4 (52) victory places Old Camberwell a game clear in second – but Old Trinity and De La Salle both possess a superior percentage in third and fourth.

After the break, Caulfield Grammarians will face Old Ivanhoe back at Glen Huntly Park, while Old Geelong host De La Salle at Como Park.

Old Haileybury’s battle with the Wellers highlights Round 9, the victor’s prize a four-point hold on top spot – while at the other end of the ladder, St Bedes/Mentone will back itself for a maiden win against Williamstown CYMS at Fearon Reserve.

Finally, Beaumaris has a chance to return to the top four when it faces Old Trinity at Daley Oval.