Round 4 unpacked: Mazenod push AJAX, while Beaumaris respond

Prahran’s continued efforts to ‘tread water’ amidst an early-season injury crisis, have finally caught a break, although not on the scoreboard. A largely competitive 16.18 (114) to 9.8 (62) loss at the hands of St Bedes/Mentone Tigers marks the Two Blues’ first game that has ended with four on the bench this season.

Coach Craige Milward is understandably relieved with this week’s clean bill of health but concedes the side he is currently fielding needs to be ‘better for longer’.

“Things clicked late in the first (quarter), but we couldn’t control tempo early in the second. We put a player behind the ball and played some ‘keepings off’ to stay competitive and curtail momentum in the second half,” Milward said.

Particularly frustrating for Milward is his team’s turnovers, with the Tigers scoring 7 goals from this source – an amount very close to the game’s final margin. “Turnovers are something we do have some control over. Our decision making and execution by foot needs to get back to last year’s level,” he said.

The result sees St Bedes/Mentone stay just one win adrift of the two undefeated teams atop the ladder. On an inaccurate afternoon for the Tigers, Jake Harding kicked 5 majors, while Jack Behnk could not replicate last week’s heroics, registering 2 goals amidst increased defensive attention.

AJAX’s impressive ability to share their scoring load was again on display, with 11 different goal kickers contributing to their 14.12 (96) to 11.9 (75) victory over Mazenod, in Glen Waverley. Ahead of the match, AJAX coach Lachlan Buszard was wary of opposite number Peter Banfield’s ‘shrewdness’, and given the result is the Jackas’ first victory by less than 9 goals in the season’s early sledding, his caution would appear justified.

“Mazenod were really good…hats off to them. They will be a big threat to the comp as the season gets deeper,” Buszard said, while praising Nodders’ players Mitchel D’Angelo for his run, forward Hayden Boyce for his hands, and Fletcher Ford, for his ruck craft. On his side of the fence, Remy Spicer, Brandon Efron and Sam Hendler drew Buszard’s commendations.

In Carnegie, a tight contest saw PEGS prevail over a gritty Glen Eira/Old McKinnon side, 11.14 (80) to 9.12 (66). Echoing Brad Berry’s post-match comments last week, PEGS coach Rob Kerr praised Gryphons’ ruck Lachlan Mirams for providing his midfield first use, particularly early in the contest. This led to Glen Eira kicking the match’s first three goals, at which point Kerr pushed a midfielder behind the ball, generating run, through Blake Roach and Jackson Kerr.

Opening the game up in the second with ‘genuine crumbing craft’ was skipper Mitch Baker-West, who booted three goals for the quarter. Kerr sent Oscar Bales to curtail Mirams, with Bales halving contests in the ruck, and around the ground.

“The encouraging element was we were able to play a few different modes of football at various times, adapting to the conditions and the opposition,” said Kerr.

The result sees the Gryphons languishing in 10th, but in some small comfort, the 14-point loss is their second-smallest losing margin of the season. First-year coach Guy Martyn is hunting four-quarter performances, and with them, victories.

“The story of our season so far has been our inconsistency within matches, and Saturday’s was no different,” he said.

In Alphington, a fire-breathing Beaumaris Sharks outfit bounced back in emphatic fashion. Josh Bourke’s men registered 49 unanswered points to start the game, and won every quarter, running out 16.14 (110) to 3.3 (21) victors over Parkside.

Strong tackling, manic pressure and an ability to repeatedly outnumber at contests were hallmarks of the Beaumaris’ performance, and particularly their early dominance. Nine front-half turnovers in the first quarter alone pleased Bourke, as did ‘team first behaviours’, with both of these facets receiving praise during his upbeat quarter-time address.

“When we get our team-first attitude and behaviours right, the other stuff will be okay,” he added, post-match. These behaviours were noticeably led by leaders Josh Trew, Callum Linehan and Riley Virtue, who set the tone from the outset.

The debuts of Tom Federici, Harvey Backman and Angus Marcombe were all solid, with the team’s raucous celebration of Marcombe’s major, memorable.

Parkside coach Rick Frost will look for growth opportunities in the wash up from the lopsided result. “It was awesome for our players to learn so much from a far superior opposition. Their execution and pressure stand out, as does their willingness to hunt for the ball,” Frost said.

VFL-listed youngster Oliver Green continues to deliver on pre-season promise, again finding himself in the Parkdale Vultures’ best, after a 18.20 (128) to 10.7 (67) victory over Marcellin. Coach Owen Lalor gushed over Green’s ‘beautiful kick’, while praising the teen’s willingness to work on his game while awaiting opportunities at Casey.

Lalor explained that the scoreboard flattered his side, calling the match ‘a real arm wrestle’, but is well pleased with his side’s fitness. Run and carry well into final quarters, are now a reliable hallmark of the Parkside brand.

Vice-captains Jarrod Peake and Matthew Emmanouil again led the charge for the Vultures. Ruck-forward Peake’s versatility is proving invaluable in the absence of last year’s league-leading goalkicker Mitch Brown. Emmanouil’s clearances are ensuring midfield dominance for his side, most weeks, with Saturday’s clash, no exception.

Marcellin coach Bernie Dineen’s chances were impacted by the late withdrawal of Tom Dennis – who had been among his best in both games he played this year – along with two concussions.

After a strong start, ‘getting the defensive balance wrong for a quarter’ cost Marcellin, highlighted best by Parkdale kicking 3 goals in 3 minutes, into the breeze.

“Our defensive instincts need work – too many rolling back instead of coming up means goals are being kicked over our heads,” said Dineen. “Our offence – our ‘stretch and spread’ – are improving, but our defence informs our offence,” he added.

A shining light in defence was Ry Elphinstone, who backed up last week’s nod in the bests with another. “He’s a great leader, with smart positioning. He saved us in some one-on-one situations, and set up some counter attacks for us,” said Dineen. Also in the best was returning captain Matthew Capetola, and re-tooled defender-turned-midfielder James McArdle.

In Round 5, Marcellin head to Brindisi Street to face St Bedes/Mentone Tigers, armed with ‘plans’ for quelling Jack Behnk. Parkdale Vultures will head to Carnegie, looking to avenge a 52-point loss in their last trip to Glen Eira/Old McKinnon’s ground. Beaumaris’ hunt for consistency sees them face Prahran at Toorak Park, AJAX welcome PEGS to their first game back on home turf, and Mazenod play host to Parkside.