Top 5 kick clear after a soggy Saturday – William Buck Premier Men’s Round 6 in Review

A two-game divide has opened between the Top 5 and Bottom 5 in William Buck Premier Men’s after just the second wet-weather Saturday of the season.                       

Old Brighton have officially established themselves as the team to beat, kicking two games clear on top after comfortably dismantling Old Xaverians at Toorak Park.

Xavs entered the game in second spot and confident of challenging the league-leaders, and for a quarter-and-a-bit that appeared to be the case.

However, the Tonners found another gear midway through the second term, and their efficiency saw them boot the first 5 goals of the quarter to jump out to a 35-point lead before Xavs kicked a couple of late ones to reduce their half-time deficit to a more manageable 22 points.

But after the visitors kicked the first two goals of the third quarter, the result was never really in doubt – Old Brighton powering away with 5 goals to 1 in the last term to post an imposing 61-point win that gives them a two-game advantage on top of the ladder after just 6 rounds.

Max Benier and Wade Brusnahan both finished with 3 goals, while Tonners’ skipper Harry Hill was excellent again with 25 disposals, 7 Clearances and 2 goals. He worked well in tandem with Tom Burnell (23 disposals, 9 tackles & 9 clearances).

Campbell Lane had 27 touches and 10 Rebound 50s for Xavs, who retain second spot on percentage from St Kevin’s, Old Haileybury and St Bernard’s.

Marcel Bruin (Old Brighton): “It felt like both teams had built up to this game with some great form in the previous weeks – conditions unfortunately weren’t commensurate with the match-up.

“We know how dangerous Xavs can be with their ability to punish teams with quick and clean ball movement. Fortunately, we adapted well and were able to simplify the game to some extent and gain/hold territory. Pressure and defence created opportunity which we capitalised on this week.

“Good spark from our 50-gamer Max Benier, who had an adjusted role up forward this week and hit the scoreboard. Some really strong performances across each of our lines, all feeding into each other.”

Dan Donati (Old Xavs): “Disappointing day in the end. We were certainly prepared and determined to bring our best, but never really got in the game to show it.

“Credit to OB who were cleaner, more efficient and played the conditions better than we did. We had a couple go down early in the game, which didn’t help us late, but certainly no excuses on our end, beaten by a better team on the day and the form side in the competition.”

St Kevin’s and Collegians played out another nailbiter at Harry Trott, with SKOB ultimately finding a way to get over the line for a 7-point win.

There was nothing between the teams all afternoon, with the Lions’ 13-point half-time lead the largest margin of the match.

St Kevin’s kicked the only 2 goals of the third term to hold a 2-point lead at the last change, which they extended to 8 points courtesy of a Will Pfeiffer goal at the 12-minute mark.

Scott Beilby made it a 1-point game at the 18-minute mark and a tense 10 minutes ensued before best afield Angus Hanrahan sealed the deal for SKOB, who hung on for a vital hard-fought win that defended their Top 4 position while relegating Collegians 2 games off the pace.

Hanrahan was named SKINS Player of the Game for his 30 disposals and 2 goals, while Josh Walker racked up another 37 touches for the Lions. Max Pinchbeck had a mind-blowing 25 tackles to go with his 21 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 8 clearances and a goal.

Anthony Lynch (St Kevin’s): “Both teams gave great effort over the full 120 minutes of the game, which makes the win even more important.

“Collegians really ground their way on top in the second quarter through workrate and playing the conditions.

“The thing that pleased us the most is that we had a very clear plan at half time, and then handed it over to our players to go execute. I thought our leaders set a great platform, and the remainder of the players followed.

“I thought we handled the minutes incredibly well in that second half and was thrilled for our players to get that result in such a close game.”

Jordie McKenzie (Collegians): “It was a tight contested game in challenging conditions. Our first half was strong, as we were able to win the territory battle and get the reward on the scoreboard.

“We had a disappointing third quarter where we didn’t execute the basics well enough. St Kevin’s played smart footy late in the game, protecting their lead, and ultimately deserved the result.

“Jonty McGuiness and Max Pinchbeck continued their great form around the footy, as did Matt Warren down back.”

The other thriller of the round was at Camberwell Sportsground as University Blacks hung on for dear life as Old Scotch made a monumental final quarter charge.

The Blacks were brilliant early, completely dominating the game to boot 6 goals to 1 in the opening term and open up a 34-point quarter-time lead, which edged out to 43 at the major break after they held the Cards to just 1.4 in the first half.

The reigning premiers slightly narrowed the gap to 38 at the last change but there was no tangible evidence to suggest what was going to happen next.

The game completely flipped as Old Scotch took total control in the final term, ramming on 6 goals to 1 to close within a goal at the 27-minute mark.

The ball lived at Old Scotch’s end in the last quarter as the tiring Blacks defence tried to hold back the Cardinal tide, and when Angus Jones threw his boot at a loose ball bobbling across the goalsquare, it appeared that scores were about to be tied up.

But Jones’ soccer kick clipped the goalpost, with the final siren sounding some 20 seconds after the restart to hand the Blacks a gutsy and critical 5-point win that draws them level on 2 victories with Collegians, the Blues and Old Scotch in the race to avoid the Bottom 2.

James Clark was best for Blacks with 22 disposals, 12 tackles and 10 clearances, well supported by Kane Loftus and Liam O’Neill. Sam Grant was outstanding in the ruck once again for the Cardinals, while Fraser Morrisby booted 3 goals in his first senior game for the season.

Dale Bower (Uni Blacks): “We were able to get off to a very good start in the first half and had opportunities to widen the gap early in the third, which we weren’t able to do.

“Scotch came back strongly in the fourth quarter and nearly went past us. We need to put four quarters together to reach our full potential as a team.”

Mark Gnatt (Old Scotch): “It was a tale of two halves again for us. Uni Blacks controlled the territory in the first half and were able to capitalise on their opportunities.

“We were really pleased with the response after half-time, where we arrested the momentum in the third before playing our game with far more efficiency in the final quarter. Our tackle numbers and pressure acts increased significantly, and we created far more scoring opportunities.

“It was great to welcome another debutant in Nelson Troon, who acquitted himself well at the level.”

It took four quarters for Old Haileybury to eventually get the better of University Blues at Melbourne Uni Oval.

The Blues led at the first three changes by 3, 16 and 9 points but couldn’t quite shake the Bloods, who successfully remained within striking distance in a tight struggle that saw just one goal kicked in the third term – by Andreas Stefanakis at the 24-minute mark to draw Old Haileybury back within 9 points at the last break.

The final quarter then belonged to the Bloods as they took control around the contest and converted that into territorial dominance, resulting in 5 unanswered goals that saw them blow by the Blues and power away to a 21-point win – their third in a row ensuring they retained their Top 4 position.

Andreas Stefanakis continues to be a game-breaker with another 4 goals for the Bloods, giving him 17 for the season. Josh Gasparini’s run of excellent form also continued, with 34 disposals (22 contested, 5 tackles, 8 clearances, 6 Inside 50s and 7 Rebound 50s).

James Stewart booted 3 for the Blues, while Darcy Chirgwin continues to lead the competition’s disposal count with another 31 to go with his 11 clearances and 9 tackles.

Daniel Ward (Old Haileybury): “A satisfying win in tough conditions on Uni Oval.

“We gave up some easy goals in the first half, and Blues took advantage, kicking 7 by halftime.

“We dominated territory in the third quarter but couldn’t put the score on the board as much as we would have liked.

“9 points down at the last change, we had to be up for the fight, and pleasingly, we were. Brave win and very happy to keep Blues goalless in the second half.

“We still have lots of improvement areas, and we look forward to taking on St Kevin’s next week.”

Matt Smith (Uni Blues): “Ultimately, one of the most disappointing losses for the year to date.

“It was a really promising first half of footy, which we were able to control the majority of, and at times felt like we should’ve been further in front than we were on the scoreboard.

“To come out and perform how we did is really difficult to accept.

“To Haileybury’s credit, they were able to suck the life out of the game in the third quarter, keep the ball skinny and force a genuine scrap in which they were able to capitalise off the back of with some opportunistic goals.

“Our backs are to the wall now, and we will see how we can respond in a must-win game versus Xavs this weekend.”

The final game of Round 6 was at Waverley Oval as St Bernard’s led at every change against De La Salle.

The Snowdogs seized control early, booting 4 unanswered first quarter goals and the first 5 of the match before the hosts finally hit the scoreboard midway through the second term.

The margin sat at 28 points at the major break, and hopes of a fightback grew after De La kicked 3 goals to 1 in the third term to close within 17 points at the last change as the home crowd started to find their voice.

And when Ryan O’Meara was swung forward and goaled in the opening minute of the final term, a come-from-behind win seemed quite possible. However, St Bernard’s managed to settle and find the next couple of goals via Oliver Liberatore and Edyn Sibbald, quelling the resistance.

Matthew Watson then put the game to bed with a goal entering time-on, as the Snowdogs improved their away record to 4-0 with a 32-point victory that keeps them on Top 4 pace and a couple of games clear of the chasing pack.

Steve Alessio (St Bernard’s): “We were prepared for a De La Salle team that was hungry for their first win. We had to withstand a physical opening in the first quarter. We managed to hold out and then add some early scoreboard pressure ourselves.

“Ultimately, we were able to manage the wet conditions a little better on the day with some solid pressure and contested work.”

Nick Hyland (De La Salle): “A similar story again this week. Had patches where we were well and top in the game but didn’t get any reward on the scoreboard and couldn’t put the opposition under any scoreboard pressure.

“Credit to Steven and St Bernard’s who really punished us on turnover and converted their chances, which left us chasing the game.

“Sloppy skill errors and some lapses in concentration proved really costly to us. However, I was proud of how we hung in the contest and closed the margin to 11 points, before being overrun late in the game.

“Again, evidence suggests our best is good enough to challenge, but we need to maximise when we have momentum and put the opposition under scoreboard pressure to give ourselves a chance.”

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WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN’S – ROUND 7  

SATURDAY MAY 24:

St Kevin’s                vs      Old Haileybury           KommunityTV double header – 11.35am

University Blues      vs     Old Xaverians            SEN MOTD & VAFA.com.au LIVE STREAM – 1.45pm      

St Bernard’s           vs      Old Scotch                  VAFA.com.au LIVE STREAM – 1.55pm

Collegians               vs       Old Brighton      

De La Salle              vs       University Blacks                                             

Watch matches on-demand on VAFATV