Premier B Men’s Ladder Shake Up after Shock Results

Old Geelong climbed out of the relegation zone last weekend, defeating De La Salle by 26 points at Como Park.

Starting the day last on the ladder, the OG’s produced a stellar first half, kicking seven goals to one, which ultimately set up the 9.8.62 to 4.12.36 scoreline.

Tom Gorrell starred up forward once again with another four-goal haul, while Luke Healy booted two majors for De La.

The OG’s move up to eighth place courtesy of the win and sit half a game clear of the relegation zone, while De La move up into third place despite the defeat.

OG’s coach Nick Dixon said he was pleased with the evenness of his side’s performance.

“We defended both sides of the ground well,” Dixon said. “As a collective, I thought we played a game style that worked really well.

“Conditions were pretty tough with the mud. Scoring wasn’t easy for either side, so to get the win was a very pleasing performance.”

De La coach Nick Hyland lamented his side’s first-half display.

“It was a very poor performance from us, particularly in the first half,” Hyland said.

“Credit to Old Geelong. They beat us in every facet of the game. They controlled clearance, won the territory battle and defended the ground really well.

“I was pleased with our response after half time, but ultimately we left ourselves with too much to do.”

Old Ivanhoe also made its way out of the relegation zone off the back of a crushing 94-point win over Williamstown CYMS at Chelmsworth Park.

After both sides managed just one goal each in the opening term, the Hoers put the foot down after quarter time, kicking 19 of the last 22 goals of the match to win 20.8.128 to 4.10.34.

Lucas Agrotis kicked five goals for the Hoers and Tyson Nagel managed four majors, while Will Smyth was the only multiple goalkicker for the CY’s as he kicked two of his own.

The Hoers moved up into seventh place on the ladder, while the CY’s move into the relegation zone, and remain half a game away from safety.

Old Ivanhoe coach Xavier Naish was pleased to see his players earn some rewards after an encouraging run of form.

“It was a great result,” Naish said. “I was happy for the players more than anything. It was a great reward for all the hard work we’ve put in.

“It was an interesting game. I spoke to the other coaches on the bench in the first term, and I thought it was going to be hard to find a goal because of the conditions.

“I thought goals were going to be worth every cent, and the boys flicked the switch. They took the game on and don’t hold back. It was pleasing to see.”

Old Ivanhoe will look to continue their good form when they travel to face Old Camberwell this weekend, while Williamstown CYMS host Old Geelong.

Collegians proved that they are still the team to beat in Premier B Men’s in 2026, accounting for Old Melburnians by 60 points at Harry Trott Oval.

The undefeated ladder leaders set the game up in the opening term, taking a 29-point lead into the first break, and were rarely challenged on their way to a 13.13.97 to 5.7.37 win.

The Lions dominated the stats sheet, with Josh Walker kicking five goals and Will Pocknee booting four, while Caleb Franks amassed 40 disposals.

Collegians extend their lead at the top of the ladder to four games, while Old Melburnians slip to fourth spot on the ladder.

Lions coach Jordie McKenzie said he was pleased to see the team start strongly, given the emphasis they placed on it in the build-up.

“We had a big focus on a hot start, and it was executed very well,” McKenzie said. “We gained dominance around the footy and were able to play the quarter in our front half.

“It was a tight battle from that point on, as we slowly added to our lead. Our ability to handle the conditions the last two weeks has been pleasing.”

OM’s coach James Byrne said that his team were simply beaten by a better side.

“Everything starts at the contest, and they outclassed us first and foremost,” Byrne said.

“The way they took the ball forward and the way they transitioned the ball out of stoppage. I think a few of our younger guys got a bit rattled early, and we didn’t recover. They were quite dominant.”

Old Carey produced a stunning second-half turnaround, coming from behind to defeat Beaumaris by 16 points on Saturday.

Trailing by 18 points at the main break, the Panthers slammed on nine goals to three after half-time to eventually win 13.7.85 to 10.9.69.

Daniel Clarke and Jed Rule each kicked three goals for the Panthers, while Max Hoult booted four goals for the visitors.

The result snaps a three-game losing streak for Old Carey, who move back into fifth place, while Beaumaris fall into the relegation zone, having lost six of its last seven matches.

Panthers coach Luke Giles said the players’ ability to lift all around the ground contributed to the win.

“We certainly improved in a few areas, but some individuals really lifted for us, and then the ball movement up the ground was really good,” Giles said.

“We managed to build the ball up a bit more in our back half and give ourselves a chance to actually get up the ground and set the ground up, so that was really good.”

Off the back of just their second-biggest loss of the season, Sharks coach Josh Bourke lamented another narrow defeat.

“It’s a tough result to take,” Bourke said.

“It was like the last few weeks. We’re in games, but there are things we didn’t do well enough, particularly late. They’re a good uncontested side, but we were just too slow to defend at critical times.

Old Camberwell moved to within one game of the top four, coming from behind on the road to defeat AJAX by six points.

Having trailed for most of the first three quarters, the Wellers looked to have done enough early in the last term, kicking three of the first four goals to open up a 13-point advantage.

But while the Jackers responded with two quick goals in time-on, a later major from Patrick Blew at the 27-minute mark of the final term sealed the 10.10.70 to 9.10.64 win.

The Wellers move up to sixth place on the ladder as a result of the win, while AJAX climb up two places into second spot despite losing.

Wellers coach Neil Connell was pleased with his side’s ability to get over the line.

“It’s good we won a close one,” Connell said. “We lost a couple of close ones earlier in the year.

“We showed more composure in the last ten minutes. They closed the gap, but we were able to stand up late.

“It was a contested ball style of match. I rate AJAX’s ability to pressure and tackle, so it was good that we stood up to that.

Jackers coach Lachie Buszard expressed his disappointment in the performance.

“It was a really disappointing showing,” Buszard said.

“Credit to Old Camberwell on the victory, but we didn’t play our style. We couldn’t hold the ball, we couldn’t maintain possession.

“It was not an AJAX performance.”