Close finishes and huge beltings: Premier C Men’s Round in Review

Round 5 was a tale of two results: beltings and close finishes! Fitzroy continue to assert their dominance in 2026 after punishing Ormond by 83 points, while Parkdale’s monumental percentage of 268 has them comfortably in second at the end of the round.

Fitzroy 19.19.133 defeated Ormond 7.8.50 by 83 points

Fitzroy have justified their premiership credentials with a resounding 83-point victory over Ormond at home. After a 16-point deficit separated the two sides at quarter-time, Fitzroy kicked their way into ascendancy in the second term with a 3-goal to one term that stretched the lead past 30 points.

Looking to halt Fitzroy’s momentum, Ormond’s Harrison Ross provided some exciting rebound off half-back, even hitting the scoreboard twice! However, Fitzroy’s half-time lead was an insurmountable task that only worsened, as Will Hodgman and Harry Taugber gave the forwards excellent service. Fitzroy properly capitalised upon the premiership quarter, leading by 48-points at three-quarter-time.

Jasper Boag and Kane Vaughan were resourceful with little possession in the forward half. The duo was among Ormond coach Kyle Pinto’s best on the wing and forward pocket respectively.

Just as the game felt within Ormond’s reach early in the fourth quarter, Fitzroy piled on an eight-goal quarter to run out winners by 83 points. Sam Jordan, Brad Fendyk, and Duncan McKie each kicked two goals, while Charlie Faubel, skipper Jack Hart, Harry Tauber, and Josh Winkler chimed in with one each.

A regular among the weekly goal-kicking tally, Alistair McQuire booted four majors in the victory, while Darcy Winstanley also enjoyed a day out with four himself.

It seems Fitzroy are loving life in Prem C in 2026 with a 5-0 start, while Ormond, despite the loss remain mid-table.

Mazenod OC 7.10.52 defeated by Hampton Rovers 14.15.99 by 47 points

Hampton have handed out Mazenod’s first loss of the 2026 campaign, re-joining the winners list on Saturday afternoon with a 47-point victory. The win was punctuated by an impressive third-quarter, 6.8 to Mazenod’s one straight.

The Rovers’ five-goal first term seemed like last week’s result was put to bed. Four consecutive majors in 10 minutes of football had Hampton humming, courtesy of Tommy Keyte, and Harry Ockerby in the forward fifty. With the first quarter threatening to deliver a scoreless term for the home-side, Hayden Boyce finally kicked truly in the 25th minute.

After the free-flowing state of the first term, both teams locked their backlines down. Just two goals were kicked, with Mazenod’s Tom Riley responding to Hampton’s sixth-minute goal late in the quarter to leave the margin at 25-points at half-time.

Like previous weeks, Paul Carrigan’s Rovers found scoreboard liberty in the third quarter. The margin improved from 25 points to 63 in no time, as Lachlan Costello, Charles Kilburn, and James Keys were pivotal in Hampton’s third-quarter blitz. Patrick Klonis kicked Mazenod’s only goal for the third quarter in time-on, as consolation for defending all quarter.

While the game was virtually over at three-quarter-time, Mazenod found form again in the fourth term, to win the quarter comprehensively. The aforementioned Boyce, finished with four goals, while Mitchel D’Angelo, Klonis, Tom Riley, all finished with singles.

Hampton’s victory lifts the Rovers above Mazenod to third place. Mazenod will look to dust themselves off to play Ormond in a home fixture at Central Reserve.

Parkdale Vultures 21.20.146 defeated PEGS 5.5.35 by 111 points

Parkdale overcame a slow-starting first term to punish PEGS by 111-points at Gerry Green Reserve.

Rob Kerr’s PEGS dreamed of an upset, especially after a four-goal opening term that put the visitors 14-points ahead at quarter time. Matthew Barake, Daniel Flaherty, Lewis Castle, and Jack McKernan hit the scoreboard in the first quarter, finishing the midfielder’s work up the ground.

However, as customary of the Vulture’s 2026 season, Parkdale initiated an incredible momentum shift that yielded seven goals to PEGS’ one. Leaning on AFL-experience, Mitch Brown kicked five goals in the second quarter alone, after an unusually quiet first term for the ex-Bomber and Cat. At half-time, Parkdale led by 26-points, flipping the 14-point quarter-time deficit in style.

From there, the Vulture goal avalanche continued. Olly Green, Eden Honan, Hunter Lynch, and Nathaniel Petty kept the scoring spree going to extend the home side’s lead to 65-points at three-quarter-time. The Vultures would be proud of an even-spread of goal-kickers, with 11 to boast on Saturday afternoon.

Rob Kerr lamented the performance, but conceded his side was severely undermanned against Parkdale.

“We’ve had nine forced outs, so we’re digging into the depth – while the boys were willing early, we just didn’t have enough seasoned players to maintain the pressure needed to compete with Parkdale”, Kerr said.

Kerr also praised the effort of Reuben Stathis, after being taught a lesson by Mitch Brown in the second quarter.

“Reuben Stathis had a good battle with Mitch Brown, especially when you consider the supply – Mitch got away in the second quarter but Reuben fought back”, Kerr said.

PEGS scoreless term was compounded by Parkdale’s 6.6 final term, slamming the final margin to 111-points.

Old Peninsula 16.11.107 defeated Marcellin OC 15.12.102 by 5 points

A high-scoring thriller was played out between Old Peninsula and Marcellin at Harry MacDonald Reserve, with Old Peninsula earning themselves four-points for the first time this year.

The first quarter was indicative of the see-sawing contest all day. Old Peninsula had their goal-kicking boots on, kicking five-straight majors, while Marcellin enjoyed eight-scoring shots to lead by three points at the first change.

However, the tide shifted in the second quarter, with Kurt Thiele, Bailey Payze, Nathaniel Turner, and Jaycob Johnson winning the football frequently to feed a three-goal to zero second quarter. Old Peninsula led at the main change by 18-points, setting up an enthralling second half.

A goal-less second term for the visitors did not deter spirits in the third quarter. Captain Josh Daniel had a productive third quarter, booting goals in Marcellin’s 40-point quarter. Daniel finished the day with a bag of five, while Patrick Curtin, Baxter Evan, Liam Atherton, and deputy vice-captain Elliot Atwell chipped in with goals of their own. The momentum shift in favour of Marcellin meant the scores were level at three-quarter-time.

When the game was to be won, Marcellin coach Patrick O’Callaghan conceded that his side made some questionable decisions with the ball in hand.

“Credit to our boys for the effort and fighting their way back into it, but we just made too many unforced errors to get the four points,” O’Callaghan said.

It was Old Peninsula’s reinforcements that proved the difference in the final term. A five-goal to four final quarter meant both teams cracked the hundred-point mark, with Old Peninsula just holding on after Marcellin mounted a late charge.

“Old Peninsula absolutely showed up – the difference was their intensity and hard running all day,” O’Callaghan said.

A relief for Old Peninsula it must be said, as they notched their first victory for the 2026 campaign. Old Peninsula take on the Gryphons, while Marcellin play the in-form Rovers in next week’s fixtures.

Glen Eira/Old McKinnon 2.10.22 defeated by St Bedes/Mentone 17.16.118 by 96 points

Fifth placed St Bedes/Mentone have made light work of Glen Eira/Old McKinnon, defeating the Gryphons by 96-points thanks to a 40-point opening quarter.

Captain Matthew Lehpamer, the in-form William Skinner, Liam Bowles, and Louis Hanson got the ball rolling for the visitors with respective majors to set their intentions early. 10 scoring shots were recorded in the first term, with some early inaccuracy creeping into their goalkicking, but not proving too costly.

This assertive attitude was maintained by the Tigers in the second quarter, with Liam Seger and Skinner extending the margin beyond the 50-point mark. Despite what the scoreboard suggested, the Gryphons had their opportunities at goal courtesy of Tom Noonan, Thomas Williamson, and Joel Ludik.

Giving his team some relief, Janko Hattingh slotted through the home team’s first major of the afternoon in the ninth minute of the third term.

“We were comprehensively beaten by St Bede’s ball movement,” Glen Eira/Old McKinnon coach Brett Dunne said.

Dunne also highlighted the club’s growing injury tally, worsened by another addition early in the contest.

“We lost a player early due to an injury and we have an extensive list of injuries at the club,” Dunne said.

It was party time for St Bedes/Mentone in the third and fourth quarter, with Antonio Barba, Toby Coleridge, Flynn Groves, Ethan Halll, and Angus Shepherdson adding their names to the goal column. A four-goal final term was the finishing touches on a complete performance by the Tigers at Packer Park.