Premier B Men’s relegation battle remains tight after first draw of season

Premier B Men’s action returned with a bang over the weekend, as Old Ivanhoe and Old Geelong played out the division’s first draw of the season at Chelmsworth Park.

Having trailed for almost the entire match, the OG’s took the lead in time-on in the final term, having kicked the first three goals of the quarter.

But Tyson Nagel levelled the scores for the Hoers with what proved to be the last score of the game at the 33-minute mark of the final quarter, with the final scores locked at 11.11.77 apiece.

Ted Middleton had the chance to win the game after the siren for the OG’s, but his set shot from long range fell a few metres short of the goal line.

The result means both teams remain inside the relegation zone on two wins and a draw, but now each remain half a game away from safety.

Old Ivanhoe coach Xavier Naish said that it was a unique situation to be in.

“It’s a weird feeling,” Naish said. “I don’t think I’ve ever played in a draw and certainly never coached in one.

“But I think it’s a fair result. We had our chances, but credit to Old Geelong for hanging in there. they defended well.”

Old Geelong coach Nick Dixon also conceded that the final scoreline was a fair result.

“I think the scoreboard reflected the contest,” Dixon said. “It was even all day.

“The game ebbed and flowed. It was a little bit disappointing in the end to be up and then give up the late goal.

“But our percentage isn’t great, so two points is a good thing in that way.”

AJAX maintained their standing inside the top four, producing a memorable come-from-behind win to defeat Beaumaris by two points in a rematch of last year’s Premier C Grand Final.

Having trailed for the first three quarters, the Jackers kicked the only two goals of the final term to grind out a hard-fought 6.18.54 to 7.10.52 victory.

With scoring at a premium, only two players managed multiple goals all afternoon, with Toby Sheezel for AJAX and Jai Florent of Beaumaris each kicking two goals.

The win keeps AJAX in fourth place, where they now sit two games clear of the fifth-placed Sharks.

Jackers coach Lachie Buszard was proud of the way his team fought their way back into the contest.

“It was a horrible day for footy with the wind in the first half and then torrential rain in the second half,” Buszard said.

“But to be chasing the game from the start and to find a way to win deep into time on was fantastic.”

Sharks coach Josh Bourke said that the result is symbolic of how their season has played out to this point.

“It feels like we’re forever the bridesmaids at the moment,” Bourke said.

“It’s been a season of inches for us. I thought we defended really well even though AJAX had a lot of shots at goal.

“Our first half was really good, but I think the game suited them a bit better when the rain came in the second half. The ball spent more time on the ground and that favoured them.”

De La Salle consolidated its top four credentials with an impressive 17-point win over Williamstown at Fearon Reserve.

De La set the game up in the opening term, kicking six goals to one into the breeze to take a 30-point advantage at the first change.

A late flurry of CY goals added respectability to the scoreboard, but the result was rarely in doubt, with De La eventually winning 13.8.86 to 10.9.69.

The goals were shared around for the visitors, with Luke Healy, Adrian Indovino and Nicholas Leontaritis each kicking three goals.

De La move up into third place on the ladder courtesy of the win, while Williamstown fall to seventh, and sit just half a game clear of the relegation zone.

De La coach Nick Hyland said he was delighted with the way his team secured its first away win of the season.

“We made it a real focus going into the game,” Hyland said.

“It’s always a challenging contest (at Fearon Reserve). We set ourselves up in the first quarter by scoring heavily into the wind.

“It was real slog after that, but we were pleased with how we handled the different conditions. We haven’t had any wet weather footy this year.”

CY’s coach Con Terzoglou said that the performance of his team fluctuated throughout the game.

“They played much better than us in the first quarter and we played much better in the second, but couldn’t put it on the scoreboard,” Terzoglou said.

“The pleasing thing was after quarter time our defensive work and pressure was a lot better than it has been the last month

“We did a reasonable job at pegging things back, but similar to recent weeks it felt like we were back in the game, but couldn’t quite get close enough to them.”

Old Melburnians returned to winning ways at Elsternwick Park, comfortably accounting for Old Carey by 56 points.

The OM’s set the tone early, kicking six goals to none in the opening term, and were rarely threatened on their way to a 12.18.90 to 5.4.34 victory.

Johnathan Maher was the OM’s best player, kicking three goals from 21 disposals, while Sam Nehme did his best in defence for the Panthers, finishing with 33 disposals and 16 defensive-50 rebounds.

With victories in four of its last five games, the OM’s remain in second place on the ladder, while Old Carey have fallen to sixth with a 3-5 record.

OM’s coach James Byrne was delighted with how hard his team worked all afternoon.

“The win was a great reward for the team playing the right way,” Byrne said.

“Our contest work was excellent and we really worked well defensively as a team.

“To have 30 shots on goal in wet conditions was very pleasing.”

Panther coach Luke Giles said his team were second-best in a below-par display, despite having a strong side on the field.

“It was a really disappointing day,” Giles said. “It was probably the first game we’ve gone into fairly healthy and with genuine expectations on ourself.

“They completely overwhelmed us at the start of the game, they out-hunted us around the ball, and their ability to transition was just far superior.

“At the end of the game we mutually agreed that we’re a 3-5 side right now and that’s probably what we look like at the moment.

“By no means is it crisis mode, but I think the next four week is really going to say whether are able to go with the best sides or not.”

Collegians maintained its three-game gap on top of the Premier B ladder, coutersy of a dominant second half performance against Old Camberwell.

Leading by just six points at the main break, the Lions put the foot down at half time, kicking ten goals to one in the second half to win 14.17.101 to 5.3.33.

Scott Beilby kicked three goals for the hosts, while Caleb Franks recorded 34 disposals and 10 clearnaces.

Sam Veitch worked tirelessly for the Wellers, winning 28 disposals and 10 clearances of his own, while also laying 12 tackles. Lachie McGowan also finished with 15 intercepts from his 24 disposals.

The result leaves the Wellers sitting in eight place, just half a game ahead of both Old Ivanhoe and Old Geelong, while Collegians now sit with an 8-0 record.

Lions coach Jordie McKenzie said he was satisfied with how his players responded after a tight first half.

“We thought we were a bit off in the fundamentals in the first half,” McKenzie said,

“Old Camberwell played well. They are a good contested side and they made the most of their opportunities.

“It became a territory battle in the second half and we were pleased with how we played. We were tested against as has been the case most weeks this year.

Old Camberwell coach Neil Connell said his side were just outclassed after half time.

“Our first half was ok,” Connell said. “We were competitive enough against a quality Premier Division side.

“Our pressure around the ball was good, we won our fair share of contested ball and we defended really well.

“But after half time they went to another level. We can take something out of the first half, but the second half was extremely disappointing.”