Roys roll rival in relegation race

The fight for survival in Premier Men’s went up a notch entering the double bye.

Fitzroy breathed life into their campaign by finally getting the better of rival St Bernards at Brunswick Street Oval.

It was the sixth meeting between the two clubs in the past two seasons, with the Snowdogs having won the previous five (including the 2023 Premier B Grand Final).

It was clear from the outset that this was going to be another thriller, with just one goal apiece in the opening term in slippery conditions.

The Roys seized the initiative with 3 unanswered goals in the second quarter to lead by 16 points at the main break, before the Snowdogs fought their way back in the third to tie things up at the final change.

The last quarter was a nailbiter as both teams defended grimly and struggled to seize their opportunities – St Bernards with 3 behinds before the Roys kicked a couple of time-on goals to claim an emotional 10-point win that revives their hopes of clearing the drop zone by season’s end.

Travis Ronaldson (Fitzroy): “Really proud of our performance, especially the way we finished off the game under immense pressure. It’s great reward for the group who have been putting in a huge amount of work at training. The improvement and progress we have made is especially pleasing.

“Tom Wilson did a power of work in the midfield along with Rhys Seakins who iced the cake for us late in the game. All 22 contributed in challenging conditions.”

Steve Alessio (St Bernard’s): “A fantastic contest by both teams in difficult conditions. Fitzroy’s willingness to compete all day was a credit to them and an important factor in the result.

Our grit in that third quarter to claw our way back into the contest was encouraging but ultimately inaccurate kicking in front of goal really cost us on the day. A few players back after the break will help.”

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St Kevin’s made an emphatic statement as they celebrated their premiership reunions with a comprehensive 56-point win over Collegians at St Kevin’s College.

The Lions went two players down early, with in-form ruckman Will Mayhood also hampered by an ankle injury. But injuries aside, SKOB were just too good from the outset, dominating all aspects of the contest and seizing control to lead by 32 points at the first change.

Collegians lifted in the second term, booting 4 goals to 2 and providing their fans with a glimmer hope as the half-time margin shrunk to 20 points.

But the third quarter was a masterclass of wet-weather football as the home team slammed on 6.5 to 1.1 and put the result beyond doubt, heading to last break with a 54-point lead.

St Kevin’s ultimately cruising to their sixth straight win as they firm as the #1 Contender to Old Brighton’s premiership favouritism.

Anthony Lynch (St Kevin’s): “Foundation Day back at the college is a really important day in our club’s annual fixture and our boys were keen to perform for our community and past players.

I was proud of the performance overall against quality opposition, really even as a group which is generally when we are at our best.

Although there was drizzling rain throughout, the ground was in great condition, which allowed us to play a good brand.

Collegians really challenged us in the 2nd quarter. We addressed this strongly at half-time and thought our players’ response in the 3rd quarter was emphatic.

We enter the double-bye in a pleasing position and with a hungry group keen to get after the second half of the year.”

Jordie McKenzie (Collegians): “We started poorly and St Kevin’s capitalised. They were able to move through our team defence with relative ease.

Our second quarter was pleasing when we were able to get on top around the footy and move the ball quickly. The boys kept trying until the end, but ultimately St Kevin’s were deserving comfortable victors.

Josh Walker and Dyl Thomas showed their class in challenging conditions throughout the day.

We look forward to our next opportunity to bounce back versus Uni Blacks after the bye.”

Old Scotch came from behind at three-quarter time to post their fourth straight win, ultimately getting over a much-improved University Blacks at Scotch College.

Blacks led by 7 points at quarter time, before the inaccurate Cardinals edged in front at the half – 10 scoring shots to six only netting them a 4-point lead (2.8 to 2.4).

Blacks seized control in the third, booting 4 goals in the first 14 minutes to kick away to a 20-point lead before Old Scotch steadied and responded with a couple of their own to reduce the deficit to a more manageable 7 points at the last break.

The Cardinals hit the front via a Cooper Lean goal at the 13-minute mark of the final term, before goals to Connor Goodison and Will Clark sealed a hard-fought win on a special day at the College.

It was a significantly better performance from Blacks after a couple of heavy losses, but their sixth loss in seven weeks has them delicately poised just 2.5% above the drop zone at the double bye.

Mark Gnatt (Old Scotch): “It was a tough contested game of footy, which is exactly what we expected. Blacks are known for their contested game style and our ability to be +32 in this space and get our hands first on the footy was most pleasing.

“Our boys showed great resilience from late in the 3rd to grind out a gutsy victory with the last 5 goals of the game. Will Clark was outstanding for 4 quarters, and it was great to see Jack Lipscombe and Lachie Johnson play pivotal roles as well.”

Dale Bower (Uni Blacks): “I was proud of how our guys played and how they fought the game out. Our leaders were fantastic.”

Old Xaverians returned to the winners’ list in fine style with a thumping 12-goal win over Old Melburnians at Elsternwick Park.

OMs had the first 3 scoring shots of the game before Xavs found some rhythm in what turned out to be a relatively high-scoring 9-goal opening term that saw the visitors build a 19-point lead at the break.

Xavs then consolidated their advantage with the only 3 goals of the second term to push out to a 38-point buffer at the main change.

Another 3 unanswered goals in the third term extended the margin to 57 points at the last change – Xavs continuing their trend of dominating the teams below them as they powered away to a percentage-boosting 73-point win that saw them leapfrog Collegians & Uni Blues into the Top 4.

The heavy loss saw OMs slip back into the relegation zone, behind Uni Blacks on percentage. They face the Top 2 teams after the double bye, then crunch games against the Blacks & Roys that could ultimately determine their fate.

Dan Donati (Old Xavs): “We were really looking forward to playing on Elsternwick Park and although the rain tumbled down, the boys came in with a strong physical mindset to get the 4 points before the double bye.

“We managed to gain the ascendency at the contest, and in those conditions that was the difference throughout the day. It was fantastic to see the younger boys step up in tough conditions, Ben Bilston-McGillen, Sterling Phipps-Parsons and young Xavier Austin on debut were all fantastic.”

Paul Satterley (OMs): “Xavs proved way too good for us for the entire game. We needed to finish our work a lot better and our inability to apply any scoreboard pressure built up over the quarters resulting in a very disappointing performance from us.

“We look forward to a number of key players returning after the double bye.”

The final match of the round saw Old Brighton take control of University Blues after half time at Melbourne University Oval.

The Tonners got on top early, booting 4 of the first 5 goals and threaten to blow the game out as they did to Blacks last week.

But credit to the Blues, who dug in and kicked the only 4 goals scored between time-on in the first term and half time to turn their 14-point quarter time deficit into a 3-point half time lead.

Old Brighton responded to the challenge as they have all year, finding another gear to kick the first 4 goals of the third quarter and re-establish a handy break before 3 Sam Grimley goals late in the third and early in the last gave the home team hope of pulling off the upset.

However the Tonners steadied and dominated most of the last quarter to ultimately run out 32-point winners and maintain their one game lead at the top of the table, while the Blues have slipped to sixth, behind Xavs and Collegians on percentage at 6-5.

Marcel Bruin (Old Brighton): “Really proud of the team, particularly when challenged strongly by Blues.

“Our mids made adjustments and were able to break even or win at stoppage and the forwards competed really hard in trying conditions all day.

“Backs were super, in particular Elliott Avis, who took on the challenge of Sam Grimley and did a great job, whilst the group were lifted through the second half by an exceptional Harry Hill.”

Guy Martyn (Uni Blues): “A tough, physical and pretty even contest for most of the game but as the game went on, Old Brighton just got on top in some critical moments/contests.

“Probably the reason why they’re 10-1 and sitting atop the ladder..”