Beaumaris & Collegians continue unbeaten start to Premier B Men’s

Beaumaris continued their unbeaten start to the season after securing a 49-point win over Old Geelong at the weekend, extending their unbeaten run to 19 games.

Having returned to Trevor Barker Beach Oval for the first time since last year’s Premier C Grand Final, the Sharks dominated the first term, registering 12 scores while keeping the OG’s scoreless, before eventually going on to claim a comfortable 16.16.112 to 9.9.63 win.

Max Hoult made the most of his opportunities, kicking four goals from six disposals, while Zach Hawkins and Alex Ward stood tall in defence, taking four intercept marks each.

Tom Gorrell kicked another four goals to back up his three-goal haul in Round One, while Matt Harvey collected a game-high 35 disposals.

Shark’s coach Josh Bourke said he was pleased with how his team were able to compete against a more experienced Premier B opponent in the midfield.

“We’ve made no secret of our focus on standing up in the contest,” Bourke said. “We know that if we can do that, our outside game will hold up really well.

“We were very aware of the challenges that we faced against Old Geelong, so we’re really pleased with what we were able to do.”

Old Geelong coach Nick Dixon said that they were simply beaten by the better team on the day.

“(It was a) disappointing day for us,’ Dixon said. “We were thoroughly outplayed by a very impressive Beaumaris outfit.”

“They were able to own nearly every facet of the game, (but) we have a resilient group, and I’m sure we will bounce back and put in a better performance next game.”

Collegians joined Beaumaris as the only other unbeaten Premier B team on Saturday, after they came away with a 47-point win against Williamstown CYMS at Fearon Reserve.

After a tight opening term, the Lions flexed their muscle over the next two quarters, kicking 11 of the next 14 goals to eventually win 16.10.106 to 8.11.59.

Skipper Campbell Walker was outstanding for the Lions, finishing with 27 disposals, ten clearances and two goals, while Ben van Twest found plenty of the footy in defence, picking up a game-high 39 disposals.

Jordan Busutill led the way for the CY’s with 31 disposals, while three players each booted two goals for the hosts.

Collegians coach Jordie McKenzie was very pleased with what his players were able to display after quarter time.

“We started a little slow and were a little wasteful going forward with the breeze,” McKenzie said. “However, from the second quarter onwards we showed our brand of footy which was highlighted by our contested work and handball chains.”

CY’s coach Con Terzoglou said that the start of the second term ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides.

“I thought we had a ripping first quarter,” Terzoglou said.

“We defended well and rebounded strongly to give ourselves some opportunities on the break.

“But they kicked four goals in the first 12 minutes of the second quarter, and that changed everything. We really grappled to recover after that.”

In a match full of momentum swings at Elsternwick Park, Old Melburnians picked up their first win of the season with a 24-point win against Old Ivanhoe.

After a cagey opening term that saw just one goal scored, an eight-goal-to-one second term from the OM’s saw them open up a 38-point lead at half-time.

The Hoers responded in the third term to close the gap to ten points at three-quarter time, before the OM’s steadied in the final quarter to eventually win 13.10.88 to 9.10.64.

Hugo Dale led the way with four goals for the OM’s, while Nicky Christian recorded 12 clearances from his 28 disposals.

Will Murphy was the standout player for the Hoers, with a game-high 32 disposals, seven clearances and two goals, while Adam Banks also kicked three goals from 21 possessions.

OM’s coach James Byrne was very happy with how the players responded after falling to Beaumaris in the opening game of the season.

“We’re really with the effort the boys showed,” Byrne said.

“We’ve worked really hard to get this result; now we need to make sure that we keep bringing it every week.”

Hoers coach Xavier Naish said that he remains optimistic despite last year’s Minor Premiers starting the season 0-2.

“The results didn’t go our way, but I’m positive we took steps in the right direction,” Naish said.

“Credit to OM’s – their second quarter execution was brilliant, and they moved the ball and took their chances.”

Old Carey responded to their opening day defeat in style on the weekend, defeating AJAX by 52 points at Princes Park.

Despite the Panthers leading by as much as 38 points partway through the third term, the Jackers responded to close the margin to just 16 at three-quarter-time. But the Panthers eventually steadied to produce a seven-goal-to-one final term, eventually securing an 18.21.129 to 11.11.77 victory.

Nick Brewin was the most effective forward for the Panthers, kicking 4.1, while Trent Warren was outstanding down back, recording ten rebounds from defensive 50 from 13 touches. Meanwhile, for AJAX Kane Nissembaum never stopped trying, with 31 disposals and ten inside-50s, and Toby Sheezel kicked three goals.

Panther’s coach Luke Giles said he was most impressed with how his team were set up behind the ball.

“We’re really pleased with the way we defended,” Giles said. “AJAX are a good side, and they were very impressive.”

“After the game, I had to submit the best six players, and I kept switching names in and out because there were so many that deserved to be in there. It was a real team effort.”

AJAX coach Lachie Buszard said that his side was just second-best over the course of the match.

“Carey was just too good,” Buszard said. “They are a good side, and I expect them to again be a top four side.”

“We were very poor in parts and made it difficult for ourselves with our forward entries and basic fundamental skill errors. Bring only 16 points down into the last quarter probably did not reflect their dominance.”

De La Salle recorded its first win back in Premier B at the weekend with a comfortable 58-point win over Old Camberwell.

De La took control early in the game and were never threatened, extending their lead at every change to eventually win 16.12.108 to 7.8.50.

Luke Healy was the standout forward on the day, taking nine marks and kicking four goals in a strong display up forward for De La, while Tom Filipovic picked up 28 disposals and laid 11 tackles.

Sam Veitch was arguably Old Camberwell’s best player, winning seven clearances in addition to his 27 disposals.

De La coach Nick Hyland said he was happy with how his team set the tone early, as they secured their first win since the 2024 Premier B Preliminary Final.

“Very pleased to get the win,” Hyland said. “I thought we set the game up in the first quarter when we kicked into a very strong wind.

“Defended the ground very well and were calculated with our ball movement, which gave us quality entries inside 50.”

Old Camberwell coach Neil Connell said that his team played well at times, but weren’t able to sustain it for long enough.

“I thought we competed reasonably well early. We were able to put two goals on the board in the first quarter, but probably didn’t capitalise enough on our opportunities,” Connell said.

“In the second, we just couldn’t quite match their intensity around the contest or their efficiency going forward, which allowed them to open the game up a bit.”

“We tried to respond after the main break and there were patches where we lifted, but again we couldn’t sustain it for long enough.”