SBMT survive scare to remain in the race while St Kevin’s shine

As the sun slowly begins to poke its head through the clouds in the early-August sky, it can only mean one thing for the suburbs of Melbourne: finals football nears.

Whilst some teams are safely secure in the upper standings of the ladder, it is the teams that reside below that are scrambling to secure the opportunity to play deeper into the season.

Round 16 of the Holmesglen Under 19 Premier Men’s competition showcased a plethora of defining matches over the weekend. Most notably, St Bedes/Mentone Tigers narrowly downed rivals University Blues to claim victory, but more importantly, consolidate themselves within the top five.

The win would never be a simple one for either side, a fifth placed Tigers facing a third placed Blues, with both sides yet to stamp their finals ticket in 2024.

Initially, it was evident that the Tigers were best suited to the pressure of the occasion. Leading by 36-points at the final break, SBMT looked certain to cruise to a third-straight win.

However, it was the navy blues who would come from the clouds to give them an almighty scare. Having just kicked a single goal in three quarters, Uni Blues seemed to procure a solution to the Tiger dominance.

Down forward, Luca Di Lallo and Sam Litras proved to be worrisome for the Tiger defence in the dying stages, whilst Lachie Francis and William Furphy lifted as well.

A six-goal last quarter would bring the Blues within just three points of their opposition, however it was all too much too late, as the siren would sound to leave them short-changed.

A season-defining victory would be awarded to St Bedes/Mentone. The side have now nestled themselves into fifth position on the ladder and look to carry their form into the final stages of the season. Ethan Hall, Ollie Etienne and Owen Bater were named best afield in the win.

Over at Brighton Beach Oval, Old Brighton continue to stamp their authority on the competition, trumping Williamstown CYMS to win by 60-points.

Oliver Goodger was the story of the day, the young Brighton forward ending his day with five goals.

He wasn’t alone in the resounding win, Thomas Marriott and Oscar Newstead also proving to be a headache for opposition players and coaches.

The win has tethered Old Brighton to the top of the ladder, the side shooting away in the late stages of the year, currently sitting two games clear.

Jack Wheeler, Andreas Martinez and Levi Cossey shone for Williamstown as they continue to search for their fourth win in 2024.

In other results, Old Scotch powered past Caulfield Grammarians to win by 57-points.

Another team requiring victory to remain in the top five, Old Scotch performed strongly at Glen Huntly Park. It was a first quarter performance that would stun Caulfield, the Old Scotch boys kicking six goals to none. Such dominance would persist throughout the duration of the contest, as they would run away 57-point winners.

Aiden Johnson kicked four goals, whilst Henry Kemp would finish his day with three. Lachie Harker, Finn Nankervis and Sammy Vidor were other names that performed for Old Scotch.

Jake O’Halloran and James McInerney were strong in the loss for Caulfield.

Looking on, perhaps the most shocking result of the round came when St Kevin’s put the red-hot De La Salle to the sword, winning by 96-points.

In what was a dangerous game for St Kevin’s, the pressure appeared to be heaped onto their shoulders. De La Salle, unable to make finals in 2024, have astoundingly been the most in-form team in the competition in recent weeks, and have been making a habit of upsetting contending teams.

It was in the first quarter of the contest, when it became evidently clear that St Kevin’s were committed to the cause: they kicked six goals to one, De La Salle’s late season-resurgence put on pause.

Elliot Mahoney was the major threat down forward, kicking five. Zane Greenham and Conor Lynch were also prolific as their side ran away with the game.

And finally, in one of the more lopsided results in 2024, Old Xaverians thumped Beaumaris, to win by 124 points.

Another team required to notch up wins to stay in the hunt for finals football, Old Xaverians played in such a manner that suggested their season was on the line.

It was a second-half whitewash that saw them kick 15 goals, stunning the Sharks and reaching the final siren as convincing victors.

Charlie Christopher and Oliver Britton-Jones ended their day with four, headlining a long list of goalkickers. Aaron Ivak and Alby Hewitt were named best afield.

Looking forwards, the Premier Under 19’s season holds just two more rounds for the year. Not too dissimilar from the proceedings over in the Paris Olympics, there will be a mad dash to the finish line for all participants.

Round 17 again holds more exhilarating contests, ones that will deliver the finals-football excitement early for fans.

In the match of the round, St Bedes/Mentone Tigers will face Old Xaverians, the winner almost certain to finish in the top five and a chance to make finals, whilst the loser will most likely kiss their season goodbye. What’s more, is that the contest has earned its rightful place under Friday night lights. What a spectacle!

Moving further into the weekend, Old Brighton will face Old Scotch in a top of the table clash. This is a potential preview of the 2024 Grand Final, both teams stacked with talent.

Williamstown CYMS will face Caulfield Grammarians, two teams desperate for a win. De La Salle will look to regain form against University Blues, whilst St Kevin’s will play the struggling Beaumaris to close out the penultimate weekend of the home and away season.