A Game of the Year contender & a schoolboy’s stunning debut

Round 5 of Premier C Men’s action was headlined by a Game of the Year contender as St Bedes/Mentone Tigers survived an almighty scare from an improving Marcellin.

At home, the Tigers trailed by as much as 29 points early in the second quarter, before kicking six of the next seven goals to head into the main break with scores level at 56.

5.1 to 3.3 in the third saw Marcellin take a 10-point advantage into the final change, but territory dominance, on a ground the Tigers play extremely well, saw them reverse this margin in a tense final quarter, with the match ending 17.14 (116) to 16.10 (106), in St Bedes/Mentone Tigers’ favour.

The result sees the Tigers stay nipping at the heels of the undefeated pair atop the ladder, while Marcellin sit in 8th, with plenty to take from the narrow defeat.

“It was a great game of footy – a real credit to both teams,” said Eagles coach Bernie Dineen. “We went there (Brindisi St) with a clear purpose, having trained elements of getting the game on our terms.”

Dineen credits dedicated time to both individual and collective craft with his side’s improving output. “Our ball movement, team defence, stoppage and kick-in methods are all a work in progress, but we’re seeing growth.”

Heading into the fixture on a two-game losing streak, Dineen alluded to a focus on having his side’s worst be closer to its best. “Our theme on the weekend was lifting the floor, not the ceiling, and we got real buy-in from the players around that,” he finished.

Selection integrity is about to become real for the Eagles, in a manner Dineen hasn’t experienced throughout his early tenure in Bulleen. Between three and six players are in line for returns over the next fortnight, particularly favourable ahead of what, on paper, appear to be winnable fixtures, although that’s not something the experienced coach subscribes to. “I preach utmost respect for every opponent, and we’re not getting ahead of ourselves,” he espoused.

In Albert Park, schoolboy Phoenix Janover impressed in his senior debut for AJAX, with his three goals from the wing a telling factor in the Jackas’ 15.14 (104) to 9.14 (68) victory over PEGS. Lachlan Buszard’s men won all four quarters en route to their fifth straight win to start their 2025 campaign.

Particularly exciting for Buszard is that Janover is the seventh debutant his side has blooded in the season’s early sledding. Exposing new players to the level, while remaining undefeated, coming off a successful campaign last year, bodes incredibly well for the storied club’s chances this season.

Adam Caplan starred up forward, scoring four goals, but what most pleased Buszard was another even spread of goalscoring contributors, with eight players kicking majors in the victory.

For PEGS, forward Jack Fenner was customarily productive up forward, supplying three of his side’s nine goals, while Mitch Baker-West drew Buszard’s praise as ‘one of the comp’s best mids’.

Early dominance, sublime accuracy in front of goal and a best on ground performance from Jack Sullivan saw Mazenod handle Parkside, 17.5 (107) to 10.6 (66). After conceding the opening 5 goals of the match, Rick Frost’s Devils outfit were playing ‘catch up’, and were left frustrated by the ease with which Mazenod scored.

“Although our boys tried, Mazenod had some key forwards that got the job done, whereas we had to work hard for scoreboard pressure,” Frost explained.

Both coaches applauded Sullivan’s performance post-match, with Nodders coach Peter Banfield nominating Mitch D’Angelo and Jarrad Raffa as similarly strong contributors to the victory. Mick Romano and Max Balassone continued strong veins of form for Parkside, while livewire Matt Holden contributed 3 goals in the losing effort.

Another team remaining committed to growth is Beaumaris, who ran out 48-point victors over Prahran. The 14.14 (101) to 8.5 (53) result pleased coach Josh Bourke, who has steered his Sharks to a winning record, after starting the season 1-2.

A depleted Two Blues side continue to comport themselves admirably, drawing Bourke’s praise. “They did a fantastic job taking some things away from us…they were ultimately quite impressive and physically combative, and really, except for some periods of heavy scoring, it was quite a tight game,” he said.

Regarding his own side, Bourke adds, “We feel like we’re getting into our season which is exciting – starting to clarify and rectify some things we had to work on. (We are) certainly remaining in a learning phase, looking to improve weekly.” Riley Virtue was praised for his impact, while Tom O’Rourke and Callum Linehan were also afforded mentions in Bourke’s post-match.

Guy Martyn lamented the effect of ‘patches’ last week, and again this week, one quarter has condemned his Glen Eira/Old McKinnon side to a loss. In touching distance of the Parkdale Vultures at quarter time, the Gryphons conceded 5.4 in the second stanza, while registering a solitary behind of their own, with this 33-point difference, larger than the game’s final margin. Martyn’s side steadied, winning the second half, but losing the match, 14.14 (98) to 10.10 (70).

Four goals from returning Vultures weapon Mitch Brown were enough for most on the ground at Packer Park, with Brown one of ten goalscorers for coach Owen Lalor on the day. The win marks the third time in the season’s opening five matches that the Vultures have had 10 or more goalscorers, emphasising their scoring prowess. The Vultures are also the only side to register more than 600 points so far this season; another feather in Lalor’s cap.

In Round 6, Beaumaris host Mazenod, Parkside welcome AJAX to Alphington and Marcellin host Glen Eira/Old McKinnon in Bulleen. Prahran heads to the Vultures Nest at Gerry Green Reserve, where a red-hot Parkdale will be waiting, and PEGS travel to St Bedes/Mentone Tigers.