Beaumaris condemn AJAX to a second loss in three weeks, while Parkdale pull away

The Beaumaris Sharks have drawn level with AJAX on eight wins, after handing the Jackas just the second loss of coach Lachlan Buszard’s tenure. The first of the round’s two top four clashes was quite the spectacle for those gathered at Oak Street, with both sides showcasing glimpses of their best, and enjoying periods of thrilling momentum because of it.

On the back of their third-highest first half score this season, the Sharks led by 35 points at the main change. Beaumaris would surrender this significant advantage a minute into time-on in the last, when Justin Vogel kicked truly, before two members of the Sharks’ stellar young core came to the fore, with James Failla and James Pepper scoring the final two majors of the contest, to keep the Jackas at bay.

Following the 13.13 (91) to 12.9 (81) victory, coach Josh Bourke was full of praise for his youngsters, and the way his side stayed in the fight, having seen their sizeable lead whittled away. “We’re getting an understanding of how to deal with challenging moments and momentum swings within games which is great. We were really impressed with our young brigade, who really contributed when the game was in the balance. Seers, Haeata, Fallia, Backman and Pepper had huge influence,” he said. This influence is best encapsulated by the scoreboard impact the young quintet mustered, combining for nine of their side’s 13 majors.

Having seen his side fall short against fellow contenders in Parkdale, and now Beaumaris, Buszard remained upbeat. “We need to get better; (but) the beauty of footy is we get to go again next week” he said.

In the other top four clash, the Parkdale Vultures overcame St Bedes/Mentone Tigers, 10.17 (77) to 4.10 (34), to go two wins clear atop the Premier C table. Standing in for coach Owen Lalor was Nathan Beaumont, who was pleased with the Vultures’ four-quarter performance, contest, and defence.

Darcy Brown was awarded best-on-ground plaudits for his match-defining role as an intercepting half-back. “(It was a) bit of a different role for him (Brown) this week, but it paid dividends – (he) brought his own pill, and his intercept marks were fantastic,” Beaumont said. Jarrod Peake was instrumental in the ruck, and provided exceptional follow up around the ground, while fellow leader Matt Emmanouil was similarly influential.

Goal-scoring figurehead Mitch Brown’s return was the talk of the town ahead of the clash, and Beaumont’s side set up differently structurally, both to maximise his impact, and to suit the smaller dimensions of Mentone Reserve. Lewis Castle had his first goalless outing of the campaign, but was still a lethal link-up player, employed higher up the ground.

“That was an intentional ploy to open up the forward line. On a smaller ground, our keys had to play a bit higher. We wanted a tall playing ahead of either wing position for an outlet kick, when required,” divulged Beaumont.

The seven changes the Tigers were forced into before the match were never going to be a focus for coach Brad Berry, who insists on a ‘next man up’ mentality. The continued absences of needle movers like Jack Behnk and Zac Calvez, as well the recent losses of Mitch Rowe, Darcy Fountain and Ben Murphy, undoubtedly hamstrung his side, but Berry was quick to shift focus to the players on the park. In a win for the depth his side has been cornered into exploring, Berry nominated debutant Zach Winter as his side’s best-on-ground, for his role down back.

Berry lamented another inaccurate outing for his charges, as well as the early lead his side conceded. “We gave away that head start, then trying to play a brand of surge, slingshot-type footy is not always going to work on our little ground,” he offered.

In Alphington, Parkside completed the season double over fellow promoted side Prahran, going some ways to avenging their Division 1 Grand Final loss of last season. The Two Blues failed to score after half-time, with their depleted stocks again a factor in the performance.

Devils coach Rick Frost expressed sympathy for his counterpart; while commending the performances of Yanek Stecki, whose run and carry was a feature of the 11.12 (78) to 5.2 (32) victory, the returning Luke Caldwell, and ‘busy’ skipper Michael Romano.

The win sees Parkside climb out of the relegation zone, where the winless Two Blues are now accompanied by Marcellin, following their 10.12 (72) to 4.6 (30) loss at the hands of PEGS. The Eagles have won just once in their last eight outings, with runs of four and three straight losses bookending a win against Prahran in Round 7.

A blustery day at the Runway made for a fascinating tactical battle, with both teams doing well to stifle the game, with the wind against them, in the first half. The Bombers set up their victory with a rare goal against the wind in the third quarter, while also limiting the Eagles to just two majors in the term. 5.8 to 0.1 with the wind, in the last, saw PEGS register their fifth victory of the campaign, squaring their season ledger.

The Bombers exhibited some of their most lethal attacking football of the season, particularly late in the contest, according to coach Rob Kerr. “In the last, our ball use was at its best. We managed to get it to the outside, so we could kick it inside 50 with more effect,” he said.

The magnet of Riley Simmons was thrown forward after Jack Fenner’s injury, with the swingman kicking two majors, and bringing the ball to ground, should he not mark.

Blake Roach was ‘excellent’ in covering the absence of Big V squad member Mitch Baker-West, while Ade Akintola again showcased the ruck craft that made his commitment to the Bombers this year such an exciting one. The victory, coupled with the Tigers’ loss, sees the gap from 4th to 5th trimmed to two wins, as the Bombers look to disprove the notion that the finalists for the division are already decided.

Glen Eira/Old McKinnon’s surge up the ladder continues, following a 15.15 (105) to 8.14 (62) victory over Mazenod, in Carnegie. The Gryphons sit two wins from the drop zone after their latest flex, with the 66 points they registered in the second half alone, greater than Mazenod’s total for the match.

The Nodders led at half time but were ‘unable to win any ball’ after the main break, according to coach Peter Banfield.

“They (the Gryphons) won clearances, and they were too experienced. We played okay until half time, but there’s lots of areas to work on,” he offered.

The result sees Mazenod’s inconsistent season continue, with the Glen Waverley natives yet to register back-to-back victories this season.

Sean Bass’ four majors see him rocket to second in the division for goals this season, while another two to dominant ruckman Lachlan Mirams land him at an impressive equal-third.

Round 11 will see Mazenod host PEGS, Glen Eira/Old McKinnon facing St Bedes/Mentone Tigers at Packer Park, and AJAX gracing Toorak Park for a clash with the Two Blues. Parkside will look to avenge their Round 4 drubbing at the hands of Beaumaris when they head south to face the Sharks at Banksia Reserve, while Marcellin will look to cause a boil over when they host pacesetters Parkdale, in Bulleen.