Newly promoted Jackers move into top four with massive upset over Williamstown

The big story to come out of Round 5 action in Premier B Men’s was from AJAX, who saluted on their return to Gary Smorgon Oval with a 37-point win against Williamstown CYMS.

Playing on their home ground for the first time this year, the Jackers kicked three goals in the opening eight minutes of the match, a lead that was rarely threatened, going on to win 14.8.92 to 7.13.55.

The standout performer for the afternoon was Jordan Cohen, who returned for the first time since Round 1, leading the way with six goals for the Jackers.

The result lifts AJAX into third spot on the ladder, while the CY’s drop to sixth place, despite both teams holding a 3-2 record after the opening five games of the season.

AJAX coach Lachie Buszard praised his players’ ability to play out the match.

“It was a really consistent effort across four quarters, which was really pleasing,” Buszard said.

“With a young group comes lapses, and we focused a lot on that this week after last week’s second quarter (against De La Salle) cost us the game.

“It was great to finally get back to our home ground for our first game of the year.”

CY’s coach Con Terzoglou lamented a slow start that allowed the Jackers to build an early lead.

“We were completely outplayed,” Terzoglou said. “They got out of the blocks early. They kicked the first three goals, and that ended up being the margin for most of the day.”

“We were persistent, but they were resilient. Their game management was good, and to their credit they were able to stop any momentum that we looked to build.”

De La Salle also finished the weekend entrenched in the top four, holding off a fast-finishing Beaumaris to win by eight points at Waverley Oval.

De La looked to hold a match-winning lead at three-quarter time, leading by 36, before a stirring comeback from the Sharks set up a grandstand finish, with the hosts just holding on to win 14.6.90 to 11.16.82.

Luke Healy continued his strong start to the season for De La with another four-goal haul, while Aiden McCarthy also kicked four goals for the Sharks.

The result sees De La move up to fourth spot on the ladder, while Beaumaris drop to seventh, having now lost three games in a row.

De La coach Nick Hyland reserved special praise for his side’s second-quarter performance that helped set up the win.

“The second quarter was probably our best footy for the year, kicking seven goals into the breeze,” Hyland said.

“We managed the ball really well. I thought we defended into the breeze quite well, but we were also able to capitalise and hurt them on the scoreboard.”

Sharks coach Josh Bourke said a couple of critical moments were what decided the result.

“It’s been a frustrating couple of weeks,” Bourke said.

“We did a lot right, but we lament the missed shots on goal, and we were poorly disciplined. We gave away a couple of 50m penalties, and you do pay for those lapses in a game.”

De La travel to Chelmsworth Park next week to face Old Ivanhoe, while Beaumaris travel to play Old Camberwell at Gordon Barnard Reserve.

Old Melburnians have secured back-to-back victories in Premier B Men’s, holding off a plucky Old Geelong outfit to win by 13 points at Elsternwick Park.

The OM’s set up the game in the opening term, leading by 16 points at the first break and maintained their advantage all afternoon, eventually winning 13.9.87 to 11.8.74.

Ned Nichols was dominant for the hosts with 36 disposals and two goals, while Cooper Hayes was equally strong for the OG’s, recording 33 possessions and 16 clearances.

The OM’s move into fifth spot with the win, sitting outside the top four by percentage only, while Old Geelong remain at the bottom of the ladder with just one win to their name.

OM’s coach James Byrne was pleased with how his team’s structures held up against a competitive opponent.

“It felt like we were in control for most of the game but just didn’t capitalise when we needed to,” Byrne said.

“But the beauty of playing within a system is that if there are parts of your game that don’t work, but if you stick to a process on how you do certain things, it keeps you in the game for longer.”

Despite the final result, Old Geelong coach Nick Dixon was pleased with the performance.

“It was a good game of footy with good passages of play,” Dixon said. “We definitely took a step forward in our performance.

“It was 20 minutes of footy where we had the wind that cost us. We started well, but then conceded four goals to none with the wind.”

A blistering final quarter has thrust Old Carey to second place on the ladder, defeating Old Camberwell by 54 points.

Leading by just ten points at three-quarter time, an eight-goal final term from the Panthers saw them kick away, eventually winning 15.14.104 to 7.8.50.

Riley Thompson led the way for the Panthers with four goals, while Finlay Park also kicked three.

The win improves Old Carey’s record to 3-2, while Old Camberwell remain outside the relegation zone on percentage only.

Panthers coach Luke Giles said the team’s ball movement going forward proved crucial in securing the win.

“All in all, I thought it was a really strong performance,” Giles said.

“We felt like this week our forward half connection was really good. The ball movement looked better up the ground, and we gave our forwards some really good looks.”

“The key for us is that we’ve got to do the right thing for longer.”

Wellers coach Neil Connell said the performance left his team with much to improve on in the coming weeks.

“We need to bring more effort,” Connell said. “They just ran us off our legs in the last quarter, and I don’t think that was simply because Old Carey were fitter than us.

“We’ve got a lot to work on. I think the scoreboard flattered us in the first three quarters. We turned the ball over in a couple of areas, and they made us pay.”

Collegians maintained their perfect record for 2026 with a comfortable 55-point win over Old Ivanhoe at Harry Trott Oval.

After an even opening term, the Lions broke the game open with a six-goal-to-one second quarter, eventually going on to win 17.8.110 to 8.7.55.

Will D’Amico was the dominant player on ground, finishing with seven goals, while Luke Scuderi kicked four majors for the Hoers.

The result means the Lions remain two games and percentage clear of the chasing pack, while Old Ivanhoe sit in ninth position, having won just one of its opening five games.

Collegians coach Jordie McKenzie said his team’s defensive efforts early in the game set up the victory.

“It was an arm wrestle in the first quarter,” McKenzie said. “Old Ivanhoe had the wind, but ultimately we were pleased with the quarter.

“From that point on, we were able to showcase our brand of football, which was highlighted by improved transition and intensity.”

Collegians will look to continue their hot start when they travel to face AJAX, while Old Ivanhoe will host De La Salle this weekend.