OG’S stun Panthers to climb out of relegation zone in Premier B Men’s

Old Geelong pulled off the upset of Round 6 in Premier B Men’s action over the weekend, defeating Old Carey by 50 points at Como Park.

Having started the day in last place on the ladder, the OG’s led virtually all day against the second-placed Panthers, before adding vital percentage with a seven-goal final term to win 20.7.127 to 11.11.77.

The result sees the OG’s climb out of the relegation places and move to within a game of the top four, while the Panthers drop to fifth on the ladder.

The league’s leading goalscorer, Tom Gorrell, booted another seven goals to take his tally to 24 for the season, while Michael Nichols kicked five in the final term to finish with six for the match.

Matt Havrey was also instrumental in the midfield, finishing with 45 disposals and 10 clearances.

OG’s coach Nick Dixon said he was happy to see the players rewarded for their efforts after an encouraging fortnight.

“We’re really pleased to get the result,” Dixon said.

“We’ve had steady improvement. It’s a good indication that our play style stacks up against the best.

“It’s another step forward for us. We felt we’ve been playing well enough without getting the result the last couple of weeks, so we’re pleased.”

Panthers coach Luke Giles said his team were second-best on the day, despite the scoreline being close for the first three quarters.

“I didn’t feel like we were in control at any stage of the game,” Giles said.

“We just didn’t defend the way that we wanted to. Any good side wants to be a ‘come-forward-and-defend-side’ and stop those handball chains, and we got opened up two or three times.

“But there’s still small signs that we’re taking away to say we’re on the right track.”

Old Melburnians climbed up to second spot on the Premier B ladder after they defeated Williamstown CYMS on the road by 30 points.

While accurate kicking kept the CY’s in touch during the first half (6.1 to 5.9), a five-goal-to-none third term broke the game open for the OM’s, eventually winning 11.15.81 to 8.3.51.

The result means the OM’s move a game clear of four teams into second place on the ladder, having won four of their past five matches, while the CY’s have fallen to sixth place.

OM’s coach, James Byrne, said that the hard work his team has been putting into improving its systems is starting to pay dividends.

“We started with a breeze that we didn’t quite make the most of, but it was just about sticking to the system – it set the day up for us,” Byrne said.

“We applied a lot of pressure around the contest and created plenty of opportunities. It was very pleasing to see.

“There are still some things that we can build on, but those games entrench a little more belief.”

CY’s coach Con Terzoglou said that the opposition prevented them from being able to play their game.

“They (Old Melburnians) were fantastic after quarter time,” Terzoglou said.

“Their contested ball caused us a lot of issues, and their clearance work really put us on the back foot.

“We were a big stagnant in our ball movement, and they pressed us in our back half really well.

“The scoreline flattered us in the end, so credit to them, they were fantastic.”

Accurate goalkicking proved to be the difference at Gordon Barnard Reserve, as Old Camberwell returnedto winning ways, defeating Beaumaris by 12 points.

Despite registering eight fewer scores during the match, the Wellers’ ability to make the most of their chances proved the difference, defeating the inaccurate Sharks 11.4.70 to 7.16.58.

Josh Gale led the way with 31 disposals for the Wellers as Liam Thomas and Nicholas Greaves each kicked three goals, while Max Hoult kicked 5.2 for the Sharks.

The result sees both teams separated by just percentage after the opening six games, sharing a 2-4 record and sitting just one win outside the top four.

Wellers’ coach Neil Connell was satisfied with the response his players gave after a below-par showing the week prior.

“We needed to bring effort, and we brought the effort and intensity, and that was the difference from the week before,” Connell said.

“That was the main focus. It wasn’t anything related to game style or structure. We just went out with a mindset that we had to bring effort and pressure.”

Sharks coach Josh Bourke lamented another performance where the Sharks just fell short of victory.

“It was another pretty frustrating week for us as far as winning enough of the footy but not executing,” Bourke said.

“We’re certainly looking at our offence and how we move the footy, because we need a big improvement.

“But full credit to Old Camberwell, who were fantastic and really well organised.”   

Collegians were forced to work hard to preserve their perfect record in 2026, outlasting AJAX by just 10 points in a tense struggle at Gary Smorgon Oval.

Having lost Max Pinchbeck and Matthew Warren for the second half, a four-goal-to-none third quarter proved the difference for the Lions, winning 11.11.77 to 9.13.67.

Campbell Walker led the way for the Lions with 33 disposals and two goals, while Jordan Cohen kicked another four goals for the Jackers, taking his season tally to 14 majors from just three games.

Collegians maintain a two-game gap and considerable percentage on top of the ladder, while AJAX remain in third place despite suffering defeat.

Lions coach Jordie McKenzie acknowledged that it was a hard-fought game from both teams.

“It definitely could’ve gone either way,” McKenzie said.

“In the first half, we weren’t great at the fundamentals. AJAX outworked us in ground ball; they were cleaner, and hit their options better.

“At half-time, we acknowledged that, and the boys cranked things up in that area. I was really proud of the second half. It was good to find a way to win when they weren’t at their best.”

Jackers’ coach Lachie Buszard was proud of the way his team fought out the match against the ladder leaders.

“They (Collegians) are the best team in the competition for a reason and have an experienced group that bats deep across the field and runs really hard,” Buszard said.

“It was a really good tough game of footy in which we had our chances to win the game but could not convert, kicking 4.8 in the last quarter.

“I was really proud of our group to stay in the game for as long as we did, but obviously disappointed we did not get the four points.”

Old Ivanhoe kept in touch with those around them on the ladder as they continued their climb out of the relegation zone, defeating De La Salle by seven points at Chelmsworth Park.

The Hoers set the game up early, kicking five of the first six goals of the match, before holding off a De La challenge late to win 14.10.94 to 13.9.87.

Patrick Naish was the standout player on the ground, collecting 44 disposals and three goals for the Hoers, while Luke Healy, Nicholas Leontaritis and Nick Bufalo each booted three goals for De La.

The Hoers remain in last place on the ladder despite winning, although remarkably, are only one win from third place. De La remain inside the top four despite defeat, trailing third-placed AJAX by just 0.14 per cent.

Hoers coach Xavier Naish credited his players for setting the tone with a strong start to the match.

“It was great to start well,” Naish said. “We placed a real emphasis on that, especially at home. We felt it was important to do so against a side like De La.

“We were super proud of the way we stood up when De La came for us in the second half, and that now makes it two wins in our last three games.”

De La coach Nick Hyland was disappointed with the performance across the four quarters.

“It was a disappointing day to not register a win where we felt we had our chances,” Hyland said. “We had some good moments but patches where we were poor.

“Overall, we didn’t defend the ground well. Ivanhoe plays their ground well. They defended it and attacked it really well.

“At the end of the day, it never felt like we were in a winning position.”