Gryphons crush the Vultures in final quarter reckoning

Round 16 produced more massive victories for the winning sides in Premier C, but the biggest surprise of them all was Glen Eira/Old McKinnon emphatically defeating the Parkdale Vultures. The results this weekend mean the top four is now set with those teams left to battle it out for a top two finish.

In a stark contrast to their 173-point defeat when these sides met in Round 1, Glen Eira/Old McKinnon turned the tables, defeating the Parkdale Vultures by a mighty 52 points. The first quarter was a close contest with both sides able to move the ball around the ground and score four goals each.

The Gryphons began to break away in the second term and took a healthy 14-point lead into half-time. In a comprehensive display of skill and teamwork, the Gryphons recorded elven individual goal scorers for the afternoon with Hayden Bass leading the charge for the home side.

The Vultures improved in the third quarter thanks to some forward line brilliance from Mitch Brown and Kai Day to reduce the deficit to 10-points heading into the fourth quarter. But ultimately, the Gryphons showed more fight in the last quarter to kick a massive seven goals to Parkdale’s one and comfortably record their seventh victory in season 2024.

Joel Ludik joined Bass in the best for Glen Eira; both players having breakout performances. Whilst Hunter Lynch and Lloyd Bailey were amongst the best players for the Vultures in a loss that ultimately means the Vultures will finish fourth and miss out on a top two spot.

In what was their tenth consecutive win, the Hampton Rovers took home the chocolates against Marcellin by a comfortable 42 points. Marcellin had a terrific start but could not keep it going for four quarters as the Rovers’ momentum built throughout the game.

A two-goal lead at the first break to the Eagles quickly vanished as the Rovers weaved their way back into the game to lead by 10-points by three quarter time. Hampton went full throttle in the fourth piling on a massive 6 goals to run away with the win and claim the four points.

William Crawford kicked four goals for the Rovers to take his tally to 34 goals this season, while Hugo Lay and Corey Jones were standouts for the visitors.

This win sees the Rovers sitting in third, tied on fourteen wins with Old Carey and AJAX, only trailing on percentage, whilst Marcellin sit in eighth with two home games to come as they look to finish their season on a positive note.

PEGS hosted the Monash Blues, dominating much of the contest to secure a 40-point victory. It was neck and neck in the opening term with both sides only managing 1.2 to square things up at 8 apiece heading into the first break.

PEGS stormed out of the blocks early in the second term, kicking four goals on the trot to the Blues’ single goal for the quarter. Holding onto a 20-point advantage at half time, the game hung in the balance with plenty of time for Monash to regain ascendency.

Unfortunately, inaccuracy in front of goals cost Monash in the third, as PEGS continued to dominate, blowing the lead out to 40-points by three quarter-time to go on to win the match with ease. Jack Fenner had a successful day out with four goals for the victorious PEGS, while Riley Simmons was once again superb.

It was an eerily similar story to their contest back in Round 8 that ended 147-65, as Mazenod came up against AJAX for the second time this season, succumbing to an 83-point belting from the top-two contenders. The scoreline was almost identical eight rounds later: 9.7 (61) – 22.12 (144).

After a couple of early majors going the way of the Nodders, an onslaught of goals from the likes of Brad Caplan, Toby Sheezel, Richie Simon, Corey Zielinski and Jordan Cohen steadied the ship for the Jackas to take a 20-point advantage at quarter-time. Their dominance continued until the final siren; AJAX sharing the footy around to record eight individual goal scorers, six of whom kicked multiples.

Mazenod came out better in the third quarter as the Sherrin found its way through the big sticks on more occasions. However, it was too little too late, as AJAX were able to go toe-to-toe outdoing Mazenod’s solid four-goal spell, with 5 straight kicks of their own.

The Jackas continued to rampage right through to the dying minutes with a 9-goal haul in the fourth, to score over 100-points for the ninth time this season. With star forward Richie Simon going down in the second quarter, Jordan Cohen stepped up and was instrumental up front, contributing 6 of AJAX’s 22 goals, while Justin Berkowitz was a brick wall in defence. On a tough day out, Hayden Boyce stood up for Mazenod with four goals and skipper Matt Fewings led from the front.

Old Carey travelled to Scammell Reserve and returned home with another notch on their belt after a 108-point belting over Oakleigh. The Panthers retain top spot with a healthy percentage, 25% greater than AJAX who trail in second.

Despite recording just one win to date, the Krushers have shown a lot of promise for the future with many young players on their list getting a run this season, showcasing much potential. However, this was Old Carey’s game from start to finish as Oakleigh failed to land a punch.

Old Carey dominated the first half to lead by 43 points at the main break, and it was a similar story in the second as they only built on their lead to finish on 20.25 (145) – a scoreline that could’ve read much worse if not for some inaccuracy.

Riley Thompson and Trent Warren each kicked 5 goals for Old Carey as Charlie Connell-Tobin produced his best performance of the season. At the other end, Oakleigh skipper Patrick Loannidis had a great game, although key forward for the Krushers Luke Ashen only managed a single goal.

The action continues heading into the penultimate round with all ten teams looking to end the season on a positive note. AJAX host Oakleigh in a match that AJAX need to win to keep their top two spot safe for another week, whilst Oakleigh could still mathematically avoid finishing 9^th or 10^th although it will be an uphill battle.

Marcellin host PEGS in an intriguing match-up of seventh v eighth. Both sides have something to prove as they look to finish the season on a high. In a clash between first and fourth, Old Carey meet the Parkdale Vultures for the second time this season. Old Carey is the team to beat whilst the Vultures would like to string some consistent wins together ahead of the finals.

The other games of Round 17 see the Monash Blues host Mazenod, whilst Glen Eira/Old McKinnon host Hampton Rovers in what should be an exciting game between two in-form sides.