The Vultures finally stumble! Action aplenty before the competition takes its breath

Round 12 of Premier C action saw the competition’s last undefeated team handed their first blemish of the campaign. The Beaumaris Sharks overcame their own inaccuracies to upset Parkdale Vultures, at Gerry Green Reserve, with the 7.22 (64) to 4.6 (30) result reducing Parkdale’s lead atop the table to a solitary victory.

VFL-listed ruck Tomoya Owens received a nomination in the best for his performance in the absence of dominant incumbent, Callum ‘Chopper’ Heath. Owens went head-to-head with Parkdale’s Jarrod Peake, whose stellar recent form has been well documented. Joel Cusack’s three majors were important, given his side’s dirty day in front of the sticks, while young gun Charlie Wilce had a day out on-ball.

Beaumaris have not lost since a heavy defeat at Parkdale’s hands in Round 3, with more than half of the victories that characterise this nine-match heater coming by 50+ points. Such form is ominous, as the final third of the season approaches, with only one game against a fellow top four side in their final six matches.

That match will be against AJAX, who registered a professional 11.15 (81) to 6.6 (42) victory over Mazenod, in Albert Park. AJAX controlled the tempo of the match, with 38 more uncontested marks than Mazenod could muster, and were also strong in the contest, winning the contested possessions battle, 168-136.

“The wind made for tricky conditions, and a slippery and muddy centre square made it a bit of a slog,” said Jackas coach Lachlan Buszard. “17-year-old Jonty Israel was again very good, kicking two, and Justin Vogel continues to impress,” he added.

Buszard also praised his side’s defensive proficiency and expressed an excitement at the arrival of the double bye, given the rest it provides his charges.

Kane Nissenbaum backed up last week’s monster performance with 20 disposals, eight tackles, six clearances and a goal, while the usual suspects were strong in defeat for Mazenod. Star on-baller and Big V squad member Matt Fewings had 31 disposals, 14 contested possessions and 11 clearances, while Hayden Boyce slotted three majors, to go with his handy 19 disposals.

The result keeps the Jackas very much in the picture for a top two finish, given they sit just 1.2% behind Beaumaris on the ladder.

St Bedes/Mentone Tigers were lethal in transition against Prahran, recording 60 points from turnover, en route to a 13.11 (89) to 2.11 (23) victory. 41 of these 60 points came from turnovers between the arcs, with the ball use of Kieran Arthur, a driving force. Arthur registered 32 disposals, with 25 of them kicks, at an efficiency of 81%.

Brad Berry’s charges exploded out of the blocks to lead 45-1 at the first change, and on their home deck, the Mentone natives never looked back. In the third term, Prahran stemmed the bleeding, allowing just two behinds, but were not able to hit the scoreboard themselves in the quarter.

The Tigers were +35 in tackles, +63 in marks and +124 in disposals, painting a picture of their domination all over the ground. Jake Ryder followed up last week’s headline-grabbing performance with 20 disposals, 14 tackles and six clearances, while youngster Oliver Mangoni registered a game-high nine score involvements.

Mackenzie Mayne was a shining light in the middle for Prahran, with a game high 13 clearances, but too much was left to too few for the Two Blues, in what was another largely uncompetitive loss.

Joining Prahran in the relegation places is Parkside, having fallen to Marcellin 15.12 (102) to 9.1 (55), in what was a ‘mini-final’, of sorts. A loss would have seen Marcellin two wins from safety with six matches to play, but the win sees them leapfrog the Devils, on percentage.

The Eagles’ first win since May was kickstarted by their equal-highest scoring quarter of the season, and trademark performances from leaders like skipper Matt Capetola, secured the victory.

Bernie Dineen’s men play two away fixtures after the bye, before their final four matches are all slated to be played at their home ground, in Bulleen. Whether or not the Eagles can mount a stand in these last six weeks, to truly distance themselves from the drop zone, will be an eagerly followed storyline.

Rounding out the weekend’s action was a battle between PEGS and Glen Eira/Old McKinnon, in Keilor Park. Fifth-placed PEGS distanced themselves from the chasing pack with a comprehensive 15.12 (102) to 3.9 (27) victory over the resurgent Gryphons, who sit sixth, but now find themselves three wins adrift of the Bombers.

Three goals each to Matt Barake and Jack Fenner (who sits equal-third in the division’s goalkicking table) were pivotal in the result, while Mitch Baker-West again led from the front. Dylan Pleban and Ethan Caddeo found themselves in Rob Kerr’s bests for a second week running, while Guy Martyn nominated usual suspects in his bests, in a losing effort.

After the representative football bye rounds, action will resume with St Bedes/Mentone Tigers hosting AJAX, Parkside hosting Parkdale, and Glen Eira/Old McKinnon welcoming Marcellin, to Carnegie. Prahran welcome PEGS to Toorak Park, and Beaumaris head to Glen Waverley, to face Mazenod.