Massive moments keep Parkdale perfect, while the Sharks circle

In a match that somehow lived up to its considerable billing, Parkdale Vultures emerged 13.6 (84) to 11.8 (74) victors over AJAX, in their top of the table clash.

AJAX opened up a first quarter buffer on the back of manic pressure and an ability to capitalise on the turnovers this pressure garnered. Poor discipline from Parkdale also contributed to the lead, with multiple down-field free kicks going the Jackas’ way.

The Vultures fought back gamely from a four-goal deficit early in the second term and found themselves 23 points to the good when Kai Day kicked truly, eight minutes into the last. Not a side to go down without a fight, the Jackas kicked the next three majors, to bring the margin under one straight kick as time on approached.

Enter Lloyd Bailey.

Parkdale’s ‘pressure animal’ of a half-forward flanker took a running bounce, before curling a magnificent checkside through the big sticks from 40 metres out. When Charlie Dillon slotted his first of the day, less than a minute later, the game appeared over, before AJAX’s Bailey Nussbaum brought the margin back under two goals.

Tense final minutes ensued, but a huge intercept mark in the backline from Liam Marshall all but secured the victory, in front of a raucous home crowd. Coach Owen Lalor described the grab as ‘Leo Barry-esque’, with the romance of the moment only amplified by Marshall’s story, having come back from two shoulder reconstructions.

“We grinded our way back into the game, with contest, and pressure of our own,” said Lalor. “Our ‘bottom’ four to six players are really value-adding – having a reserves side that’s also undefeated is quite the luxury,” he added.

A leader of the club’s Under 19’s side, Jordy Burgess debuted in the massive clash, and had solid impact from half-forward. “He didn’t look lost at the level – at all,” glowed Lalor.

The victory sees the Vultures usurp AJAX atop the Premier C ladder, while the loss is the first in Jackas’ coach Lachlan Buszard’s tenure. The return fixture promises to be better again, with both sides without significant talent on the weekend.

At the other end of the table, Glen Eira/Old McKinnon have climbed out of the relegation places following their 16.11 (107) to 8.13 (61) home victory over Prahran. After a winless first five rounds of the season, the Gryphons have won twice in three weeks.

“That was the best ball movement we’ve displayed all year,” remarked coach Guy Martyn, when asked about his side’s seven goal outburst in the third quarter. “We’ve probably been found out for speed against some of the stronger sides in the competition, but I thought our young guys took full advantage of their superior speed in this matchup,” he added.

The young players in question – the likes of Seamus Cockle, Nick Mavropolous and Tom Noonan – were touted as needle movers by Martyn in the pre-season and were powerful in their latest outing. The latter’s three majors were a feature of the victory, as was the forward play of the side’s resting rucks.

“Frenchy (James French) and Mirams always give us a good contest when they have spells up forward. We had pace at the drop of the ball too, which was pleasing,” Martyn added.

The four-week block of fixtures after this weekend’s bye shapes as a real season-defining period for the Gryphons. Matches against like-types in Parkside, Mazenod and PEGS, either side of an encounter with a St Bedes/Mentone side who Martyn concedes ‘touched them up’ earlier in the season, present his side with a real opportunity to distance themselves from the drop zone.

The Beaumaris Sharks now boast the strongest percentage in the division, following their ominous 16.19 (115) to 4.2 (26) victory over Marcellin.

Sharks coach Josh Bourke was well-pleased after his side’s latest performance.

“Up to half-time it’s probably our best football to date…Wilce down back and Florent around the midfield were really important for us, and we’re starting to perform with consistency,” he said.

Conversely, Eagles coach Bernie Dineen casted an image of disappointment following the result.

“We went in with an optimism that if we can get some of the elements we’ve gotten right over the past 5 or 6 weeks, we could be really competitive, but unfortunately, the game was almost over at half-time,” he said.

“They (Beaumaris) were efficient, fast, confident and attacking… we lost contests all over the ground,” Dineen added.

St Bedes/Mentone Tigers survived a spirited Mazenod performance, pulling away in the last quarter to record a 17.11 (113) to 11.10 (76) victory, in Glen Waverley. The Nodders recorded the first 20 points of the contest, but a late flurry in the third quarter saw the Tigers head into the final change leading by a point. A score of 6.7 to 1.1 in the last sealed the result for Brad Berry’s men.

Ben Murphy and Liam Bowles provided timely scoring for the Tigers, combining for eight majors, with the former playing higher up the ground in the last quarter. Acting as a conduit between the lines, Murphy orchestrated quicker, higher quality forward 50 forays, with Oliver Mangoni a major beneficiary of the move, recording two goals in the quarter, and three for the match.

“These boys have a pretty special bond – they’re prepared to play for the team before the self,” Berry said. “It was a really pleasing win – they upheld our system, despite our outs,” he finished.

The returning Matt Fewings caused Berry ‘headaches’ but ultimately, the likes of Jack Hellier and Matt Lehpamer got the job done for the Tigers in the middle, supported ably by the two-way running of Darcy Fountain.

“We just didn’t get any football in the last to give our forwards any supply, but we will take positives from this (performance),” said Mazenod coach Peter Banfield.

In Keilor East, PEGS eked out a 13.8 (86) to 10.7 (67) victory over Parkside, in a game of shifting momentum.

“We got on top early with some quick ball movement out of the back half. Parkside were winning clearance, but we managed to rebound pretty well,” said PEGS coach Rob Kerr.

The game turned in the second, with the Devils outscoring the Bombers 5.2 to 1.2. “We allowed Parkside to hit up on multiple leads, completely disregarding the need to find a man,” Kerr added.

The match again changed in the third, with an accountability for Parkside’s spare spurring Kerr’s men to a 40-1 period, which was ultimately too big a buffer, come the final siren, despite Parkside winning the last quarter 25-0.

“In the ruck, Joel Stevens had his best game for the club, and Matt Holden accumulated on the wing. Yanek Stecki was excellent – it was good to see him back after injury,” said Devils coach Rick Frost.

After the bye, Prahran host Mazenod at Toorak Park and PEGS welcome the undefeated Parkdale Vultures. Glen Eira/Old McKinnon travel to Alphington, where Parkside await. Marcellin face the daunting prospect of a trip to AJAX at Gary Smorgon Oval, while St Bedes/Mentone Tigers renew hostilities with local rivals, Beaumaris.