Last gasp winner completes memorable OMs comeback in Premier B Men’s

In a weekend filled with close finishes in Premier B Men’s, Old Melburnian’s Sam Laube emerged as the headline act of the round, kicking the match-winning goal in the dying seconds to defeat Old Camberwell.

Trailing by 16 points at the 15-minute mark of the final term, the OMs rallied to kick the last three goals of the game to emerge winners, 9.8.62 – 8.10.58.

Laube – who booted the final two majors of the match – was ably assisted by Ned Nichols, who finished with 32 disposals and 14 intercepts, while Liam Thomas finished with 22 disposals and three goals for the Wellers.

OMs coach James Byrne said he was pleased with the fight the team showed in the final quarter.

“We showed real resilience in that last five minutes,” Byrne said.

“The work rate was definitely there, but we’ve been speaking about structures and systems, and it’s very evident that we adhered to that late in the game.”

Wellers’ coach Neil Connell said missed opportunities were ultimately what cost his team the game.

“I think we just didn’t take our opportunities early in the final quarter to put the game out of reach,” Connell said.

“I just think execution and decision-making probably came into play in the last eight minutes of the game. We gave back the ball to OMs, and to their credit, they made us pay.

“We’ve tinkered a little bit with our game plan this year, and there are parts that are coming together, but we’ve got to make it work for longer.”

De La Salle overcame losing their coach Nick Hyland to sickness in the pre-game to secure a 19-point win over AJAX at Waverley Oval.

Having been unwell in the lead-up to the match, Hyland’s brother Tom stepped in the morning of the game, leading De La to a 14.10.94 to 11.9.75 win in his first game as acting coach.

Having trailed by as much as 53 points in time-on in the third quarter, the Jackers pushed for an incredible comeback, closing the gap to just seven points late in the final term.

But goals to Luke Healy and Pat Russell late in the game put the result beyond doubt, with both teams now holding a 2-2 record after the opening month.

Healy finished with 4.1 from 11 marks, while Kane Nissembaum led the way in the midfield for the Jackers, collecting 29 disposals and 12 clearances.

De La’s acting coach, Tom Hyland, praised the club’s on-field leaders as he navigated the challenges of coaching for the first time.

“I’m glad I had our senior leaders standing tall in the second half,” Hyland said, “I was grateful for the support of the senior players.

“In the first half, we just had a little bit more polish. But full credit to AJAX — their fitness is second to none, and they brought it in the second half. We just found a way to hold on.”

Jackers coach Lachie Buszard said there have been plenty of positives to take away from both the game and the opening month of the season.

“I’ve been really proud of the group because it’s been a tough start to the year,” he said.

“We’ve lost some key players, but we’ve been in every game so far.

“Credit to De La for the way they played. They play their ground very well.”

Reigning Minor Premiers Old Ivanhoe secured its first win for the year, outlasting Old Carey by nine points in a shootout at Chelmsworth Park.

Having led at every change, the Hoers looked home when they kicked four of the first five goals in the last quarter to see the lead balloon out to 37 points.

But while Panthers kicked the last four goals of the game to set up a grandstand finish, they fell just short, with the Hoers eventually holding on to win 16.13.109 to 15.10.100.

Patrick Naish was outstanding for the hosts, recording 32 disposals and two goals, while Rohan McKenzie led the way with 4.2. Daniel Clarke also booted four goals for the Panthers.

Hoers coach Xavier Naish said he was pleased with the way his players performed after a difficult start to the season.

“I was pleased that the boys responded so well,” Naish said.

“The simple message has been getting back to playing to our strengths and playing for each other. I’m really proud of our journey so far.”

The Hoers will look to make it consecutive wins this weekend when they travel to Harry Trott Oval to face the unbeaten Collegians.

For Old Carey, the result marks their first defeat since the opening day of the season, and leaves them alongside several teams sharing a 2-2 record.

The Panthers will look to return to winning ways when they host Old Camberwell this weekend.

A late surge in the final quarter saw Williamstown CYMS pull off a famous come-from-behind win, defeating Beaumaris by seven points at Fearon Reserve.

The CYs were trailing by 14 points early in the final quarter, before kicking the last four goals of the game to eventually win 12.10.82 to 11.9.75.

Ayden McCarroll led the way up forward with four goals for the hosts, while Harry Miller and Will Smyth each kicked three.

Max Hoult kicked three goals for the Sharks, while Zach Hawkins recorded 31 disposals and 12 marks.

CY’s coach Con Terzoglou said he was relieved to come away with the win as the hosts secured a narrow victory for the second week running.

“Our record in close games last year wasn’t great, so to have two wins from close ones is fantastic,” Terzoglou said.

“I knew we required around four or five goals in the last term to win the game, so we tried to open the game up a bit.”

Sharks coach Josh Bourke said he was happy with the way his team played, but lamented missed opportunities in the second half.

“We’re pleased, but we want to be better,” Bourke said.

“We understand that we played a really strong side, but we had enough of the ball to give ourselves a better chance.

“It’s a great lesson that if you miss and don’t take your opportunities, you can be made to pay for it.”

Collegians maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 94-point win over Old Geelong at Como Park.

An 11-goal-to-one opening half set the tone for the visitors, who eventually went on to secure an 18.15.123 to 4.5.29 victory.

Alex Lukic was a dominant presence up forward for the Lions once again, kicking 6.8, while Hugh Johnson recorded 10 clearances from his 25 disposals.

Tom Gorrell booted two of the OG’s four goals, while Matt Harvey finished with a game-high 30 disposals.         

Lions coach Jordie McKenzie said he was pleased with the consistency his team showed throughout the afternoon.

“It was definitely our best four-quarter effort,” McKenzie said.

“Most games we’ve played have been on the line at some stage. It was good to get out of the blocks and set the tone and play the game in the forward half.”

OGs coach Nick Dixon said the opposition was just too good on the day.

“We were beaten by a very good side,” Dixon said. “Collegians’ ability to spread the ground and outnumber us at every contest was really impressive.

“We were a long way off the standard required, but we will get to work and look to improve.”

Collegians will look to continue their strong start to 2026 when they host Old Ivanhoe, while Old Geelong will face Old Melburnians.