Panthers pounce, Old Ivanhoe back on top

Old Carey has provided the first upset in what’s sure to be a rollicking finish to the Premier B season, knocking Old Trinity off the top of the ladder in the Battle of Bulleen.

On a typically windy day at Carey Sports Complex, the Panthers trailed at the first break before kicking 3.2 to 0.0 in the second term, and improved on a half time advantage to lead by 23 points on the turn for home.

Last time out, all the way back in Round Five, the Panthers almost pounced on the Ts late, a spirited final-quarter comeback falling a point short. This time around, it was Luke Giles’ squad that was forced to defend in the last term, Old Trinity with the wind in the last.

“The message at three quarter time was we knew that if we were going to close the game out, we couldn’t defend the ground for 25 minutes – we had to keep attacking,” said Giles.

“It was probably about the 17-minute mark (was when) we started to play the defensive end of the ground.”

Despite conceding six scoring shots whilst notching just one, the cool-headed Panthers controlled the finish, 11.11 (77) to 10.9 (69) winners over last year’s preliminary finalists in a victory that sets the path for a late lunge at the four. 

“I was really happy with the last five minutes,” said Giles.

“Although it probably looked like a stressful scoreboard, it never really felt like a really super stressful game. We handled the pressure really well.”

Old Carey has the 1-12 Fitzroy and 0-13 Hampton to come in the final five weeks, with matchups against fellow finals aspirants Caulfield Grammarians, Williamstown CYMS and Old Geelong likely to decide their fate in 2025.

But in many ways, the 2025 season is already a tick for last year’s Premier C premiers, as Giles explained on Monday,

“In our minds, we were entering the first game of a six-week season … we feel like our ceiling’s a little bit unknown this year,” he said.

“We feel like the next six weeks is a dress rehearsal for next year. For us, it’s really easy to find some motivation, because whether we win two games or three games or four games, we’re placing a lot of importance on the way we play over whether we win or lose. It’s really about playing in a way where we can win 15-16 games next year and have a real run of it.

“Having said that – there might be a carrot there for us this year if we continue to play like we did on the weekend.”

The returning Trent Warren straightened the Panthers up behind the footy while Luke Kelvie (28 disposals), Sam Nehme (21 and six rebound 50s) and Will Green were highlighted by Giles for their efforts.

Old Trinity is now a game out of top spot, having lost its first game since its Round 6 defeat at the hands of Old Geelong.

“It was always going to be who responds best after the two-week bye, and Old Carey played a desperate brand of football and did enough to hang on in the end, even though we kept coming and had a chance to get within a couple of points,” said coach Donald McDonald.

Importantly, star Alex Emery got through his return game in the seniors, while Ed Weatherson’s completion of his first game back from injury in the Reserves will excite the Trinity faithful.

At three-quarter-time at Elsternwick Park last Saturday, Caulfield Grammarians had kicked three goals, one in each quarter, and trailed the Old Melburnians by 20 points.

But with the wind at their backs, the Fields came rattling home, booting five goals to none and better than doubling their score to run over the top of the OMs, winning 8.12 (60) to 7.9 (51) and keeping their place in fourth spot.

“We don’t mind the really windy days,” said Fields coach Paul Satterley.

“We play in those conditions every home game – we’re pretty capable of defending against it, we can make it a real scrap. We were just a bit wasteful in the second quarter, we kicked quite a few points when we were kicking with it (the breeze) – we probably played the wrong side of the ground.”

“We addressed that, and I think the last quarter was one of our better quarters this year.”

Two final quarter goals to Dylan Ting and singles to Julian Dobosz, Charlie Eerhard and Ollie Lowe got the Fields home, and saw them secure a one-game hold inside the four from Old Camberwell, Old Geelong and Old Carey.

Dobosz’s work in the ruck in the final term earned special praise from his coach – the power forward crucial in generating clearances against star Redlegs big man Jack Spargo.

“I’ve coached against (Dobosz) a few times over the years – I’d have to say he’s probably in career-best form,” said Satterley.

“He’s just so dominant – any time that ball’s near him, he’s just so hard to manoeuvre…it’s been telling when he’s not been (in the team). Whatever happens from here on out, he’s vital to it.”

Sadly for the OMs, gun midfielder Ned Nichols was injured in the loss, which will force coach Nathan Brown into some adjustments in that part of the ground over the coming weeks.

“(Caulfield) had a ripper – as ‘Satts’ (Paul Satterley) says, they had their best team in for the year – it’s not who you play but when you play them in this caper,” he said.

“I’m proud of our group, to give themselves a look at it against quality. We need to get back on the bike and find some different looks now with personnel going down.”

Old Trinity’s loss was Old Ivanhoe’s gain, the Hoers saluting on the road against Williamstown CYMS to jump back into top spot on the back of a nine-goal third term.

Leading by 15 points at half time, the Hoers’ slick midfielders screamed into gear with a favourable breeze at their backs – Toby McLean racking up 14 disposals and seven clearances in the quarter with Billy Murphy (11 disposals in the term) never too far away.

The Hoers recorded overwhelmingly positive differentials in disposals (+33), clearances (+10) and inside 50s (+9) as they poured on 9.2 to 3.2, taking a 51-point lead into the final quarter.

Williamstown CYMS eroded some of the Hoers’ advantage late, and the two sides both finished on 26 scoring shots – but the Hoers were too good, 16.10 (106) to 10.16 (76) victors.

McLean would finish with 34 disposals and Murphy with 32, while Patrick Naish recorded an astonishing stat-line: 51 disposals, 46 kicks, 20 rebound 50s, 15 marks and two goals, the only player to break the half-century in any of the premier grades this year.

“We set ourselves to embrace going out there and understanding the conditions weren’t going to be great, understanding that they have pretty good home ground support,” said Old Ivanhoe coach Jarrod Gieschen.

“We made a real effort to focus on ourselves, and what we wanted to get done. The boys executed really well.”

The returning Charlie Naish, who hadn’t played a senior game since April, kicked three goals – one of five Old Ivanhoe players that returned to the senior side for the contest.

Gieschen said that continuing to train over the bye allowed his team to hit the ground running after the two-week break. 

“Definitely to get the continuity and the playing group together – we made a big thing of it during the break to train, so we kept continuity. I think it helped, we were pretty well connected on Saturday.”

Williamstown CYMS Con Terzoglou felt his team “lowered our colours” against what is regarded by many as the competition’s premier midfield – but felt the CYs had enough opportunities to go with the Hoers in the first half.

“It (the loss) gives us a bit of a litmus test to identify some areas that we know that we need to work on against the top end of the competition,” he said.

“I felt inaccurate kicking (in the second quarter) cost us the opportunity to apply scoreboard pressure – and you need scoreboard pressure in these kinds of games.”

It was the open and end-to-end start to the third quarter – which began with two goals apiece across the first 12 minutes – the alarm bells began to ring for Terzoglou.

“You don’t want to be having an open game when you’re kicking into the breeze, and we suffered for not being able to lock down,” he said.

“They got hold of us, and geez they’re great when they’re up and running.”

Big V midfielder Will Bokma fought a heavy tag from Old Ivanhoe iceman Harrison Reid on his way to 26 disposals, while teenage big man Ayden McCarroll, fresh off seven games for the Western Jets earlier this year, showed great signs and kicked three goals.

Old Camberwell continues to keep its foot in the door in the finals race, holding Fitzroy at bay at home, 13.6 (84) to 10.8 (68).

With the best percentage of three 7-6 sides, the Wellers are fifth and crucially have a percentage advantage on the 8-5 Fields.

Coach Neil Connell was pleased with his side’s pressure and intent around the footy, but will cast his eye to improving the quality of their entries inside 50 this weekend.

The athletic Ben Carlisle has “come on in leaps and bounds” in the Old Camberwell midfield this year and was impressive with 27 disposals and two goals, while Jimmy Allen was once again the ringleader, racking up 41 disposals, 20 contested possessions and a goal.

“When I look at the team, we’re basically an under-23 team with four or five older guys – and Jimmy leads from the front. Not only on match day, (but) with his training standards, the way he prepares,” said Connell.

“Between his good games and his bad games, there’s not much in between … he’s just fantastic, he’s a great role model for the boys”.

It was another tough day out for Fitzroy, Travis Ronaldson’s team still out for its second win of the season.

“(We) had our opportunities but unfortunately were unable to capitalise when we had the run of play,” Ronaldson said.

“I was pleased again with the effort and application of the group and it was great to welcome back a few experienced players from long absences.”

Two-time Big V key forward Dane Harvey kicked a game-high four goals while defenders Darcy Lowrie and Max Ellis were two of Ronaldson’s best.

Finally, Old Geelong kept pace with the chasing pack, staving off the plucky Hampton Rovers at Boss James Reserve.

The OGs weren’t able to nab a percentage boost that would aid their finals hopes in a match where both sides recorded 24 scoring shots, Nick Dixon’s side winning 16.8 (104) to 10.14 (74).

In swirly conditions, Nick Dixon saw his side’s offensive system click into gear after half time, with the return of the likes of Tim Jones, Jimmy Adams and Matt Bird welcomed.

Sam Anderson’s speed and decision-making on the outside stood out as he added three goals to 24 disposals, while Jones, playing his first game since Round 4, showed zero signs of rust – the 28-year-old midfielder stuffing the stat-sheet with 43 disposals, 24 contested possessions, 18 clearances and 2 goals.

“We just know he’s a star player. He’s been as good a midfielder as any in the comp over the last three years,” said Dixon of Jones.

“Having his dominance around stoppages and his disposals going forward certainly helped us … (he missed) five weeks with a shoulder (earlier this year), and another three away”.

In an encouraging sign for the Rovers, it’s Marty Pask’s side’s highest score of the season so far and highest number of scoring shots.

Chris Perkins has been superb this season and racked up another 44 disposals, while stalwart Christian Carnovale 35 disposals were a season-high.

It’s arguably the OGs’ biggest game of the year when they host Williamstown CYMS this weekend at Como Park, while the Rovers and Fitzroy battle it out at Brunswick Street Oval.

The Old Melburnians play Old Trinity with the Redlegs’ finals hopes hanging dangerously, while the ladder-leaders Old Ivanhoe host Old Camberwell.

Caulfield Grammarians will look to make it four wins in a row in a huge game against Old Carey – there’s every chance this game becomes a battle for fourth.