Clutch Provest creates chaos in Premier B

Zac Provest’s clutch run-down tackle and set shot goal mere moments before the final siren gave rise to Premier B’s first draw of the season between ninth-placed Williamstown CYMS and first-placed Old Haileybury.

With the Bloods leading by a goal as time ticked down, having turned around an 11-point three quarter time deficit into a lead, half forward Hugo Nosiara found the football and tore away from a muddy pack of players at centre half back.

However, Provest, who has enjoyed a stellar first season of regular senior football, dragged down the fleeing Nosiara, winning himself a free kick and an opportunity to tie the game.

Cooly, Provest saluted, booting his third goal of the day and second of the final term, the siren sounding out at Fearon Reserve as the CYs celebrated Provest’s goal.

The 9.8 (62) apiece draw keeps the Bloods (42 points) narrowly ahead of the chasing pair of De La Salle and Old Geelong (36 points apiece) – while the two point gap effectively rules out percentage as the deciding factor should things get tight down the stretch.

“It was probably a just result, to tell you the truth,” said Old Haileybury coach Daniel Ward.

“I was proud of our group for not giving it up.”

Brede Seccull and Brodie Steele continued their excellent seasons, while Nosiara and Harrison Jones booted two goals each in the first non-winning result for the Bloods since Round 2.

The result is a far cry from the 126-point margin the Bloods thumped Williamstown by in Round 3, and a testament to the growth and development of the CYs, said Ward.

“I was really impressed with how strong they were around the contest.”

“They showed that on the weekend that they’re playing for (coach Con Terzoglou).”

The CYs have a fight on their hands to remain in Premier B, a reality head coach Con Terzoglou is well aware of with a crucial clash with Caulfield Grammarians to come this weekend at Fearon Reserve

“We know this is a must-win. It’s on our home deck (and) we’re feeling good about our form,” he said.

Caulfield hasn’t won a game since Round 5, sitting a game-and-a-half out of the drop zone on 16 points, with the CYs eyeing off Guy McKenna’s team from their position on ten points.

“The last two weeks have been pleasing – the boys have responded after the break. They’re keen to finish strong.”

“(But) if we don’t play our brand, our style, then we won’t win, irrespective of the opposition.”

The Grammarians ran into a white-hot Old Geelong squad last weekend, the OGs setting up their fifth consecutive win with an eight-goal-to-one opening half at Como Park, running out 12.15 (87) to 5.8 (38) victors

Nathan Brown has his squad humming at the moment, able to combine the likes of Tim Jones, Jack Sheridan, Harry Kol and Matt Wallis with impressive depth.

“We’ve got beautiful numbers in our reserves and thirds that are always there for the club,” Brown said.

The OGs’ Round 14 clash with fourth-placed Old Trinity (32 points) will significantly impact the top four, Old Ivanhoe and Old Camberwell each just one game behind and prepared to seize any opportunity to leap into the finals-playing positions

“We’ve got to train well, we’ve got to prepare well, because we’re up against a high-quality team and a high-quality coaching group,” said Brown.

Guy McKenna was left to rue the Grammarians’ poor start, leaving a green Caulfield side far too much to be done in the second half

“Our minds weren’t on the job early on…they took us to the cleaners,” McKenna said, the Grammarians 45 points down at the long break.

“It wasn’t through a lack of effort – in some cases, they were actually over-trying.”

Caulfield responded well after half time, matching the OGs’ four second-half goals with four of their own and somewhat repairing their faulty structures.

McKenna lauded the performance of forward-turned-defender Ingo Dammersmith, Caulfield’s finest under intense pressure, while Sam McInerney was outstanding.

“(McInerney) keeps on delivering. His season’s been exceptional. Under siege in the midfield, but he just battled his backside off,” McKenna said.

De La Salle is in fine touch, like the OGs on a winning run, and tuned up for a blockbuster meeting with the Bloods next round, after holding Old Trinity at arm’s length after half time for a 14.14 (98) to 8.8 (57) win.

In Round 3, Nick Hyland’s side had to chase down the Ts, the comeback ultimately falling short by three points with Trent Shannon’s after-the-siren shot from a tough angle just missing.

There was no need for heroics this time, De La punting ten goals to five after the long break to put paid to the contest – the first two goals of the final quarter through the agency of Sean Fisher and Hugh Nicholson giving the Ts too much to do.

(They) adapted to the conditions so much better than we did over the course of the game,” said Old Trinity coach Donald McDonald.

“We have improved so much from last year, but to get into the top four we are going to have to find a way to compete for longer.”

De La’s ability to run out games has been a highlight of the season so far – and coach Hyland thinks his is the “fittest team in the comp”.

“I’ll back in our fitness over anyone else’s,” Hyland said.

Fisher (four goals) and Christian Algeri (three) were excellent, while Hugh Beasley booted three majors for the Ts.

Premier C graduates Old Ivanhoe and Old Camberwell currently sit outside of the top four, but both saluted last weekend to continue to apply pressure on the finals-playing positions.

Hoers coach Jarrod Gieschen made seven changes to the lineup that couldn’t go with the Ts in Round 12 and found monster performances from Luke Scuderi (7 goals), Toby McLean, Harrison Reid and Rohan McKenzie against St Bedes/Mentone.

In captain Harry Frazer’s 100th game, the Hoers rose to the occasion with an eleven-goal first half, including a four-goals-to-none second quarter, as part of an 18.8 (116) to 7.11 (53) win.

Coach Gieschen had called for a lift in his side’s defensive work at the first break – the Hoers booting seven goals yet conceding four.

“To be honest, I wasn’t happy with how we were defending. We’re usually a pretty hard team to score against.”

The Old Ivanhoe coach made a point about “getting our DNA back” to his players and was pleased with the response.

Level on points with Old Trinity yet some 12% behind, Gieschen acknowledges the Hoers have to be almost perfect to feature in finals.

“We’ve got to do everything right now for the next five weeks.”

Jack Behnk, Jack Cain and Jake Harding were some of the Tigers’ best on a difficult day, following some stirring performances from Brad Berry’s unit.

Old Camberwell took care of business against a depleted Beaumaris side, creating a three-game gap between sixth and seventh on the ladder and keeping pace with the glut of teams from second to sixth that are separated by just four points.

James Allen was brilliant for the Wellers, earning praise from Sharks coach Josh Bourke.

“That seasoned, strong body, his work rate to get back and come through and link up (in transition)…he’s a very good player,” Bourke said.

Harry Laukens booted four goals to go 13 goals clear of Nathan Scollo in the race for the leading goalscorer gong, the Wellers breaking clear in the last quarter and winning 8.8 (56) to 2.12 (24).

The Sharks were inside 50 enough, said Bourke – it was execution in front of goal that let his young side down.

Next up for Beaumaris is Old Ivanhoe at Chelsworth Park, while the Wellers will host SBMT at Gordon Barnard Reserve and the CYs.

Two top-four clashes highlight Round 14 as perhaps the most crucial of the season so far: Old Haileybury off to Princes Park for a clash with De La Salle and Old Geelong to host Old Trinity, with Old Ivanhoe and Old Camberwell ready to pounce on the incoming chaos.