Old Melburnians storm home in stunning comeback win

Premier B Men’s Round 13 was full of highlights. Multiple almighty comebacks and a Collegians statement win headlined the weekend.

Old Geelong 13.10 (88) def by Old Melburnians 14.7 (91)

Old Melburnians produced one of the comebacks of the season last weekend, defeating Old Geelong in a thrilling finish at Como Park.

Trailing by as much as 39 points early in the final term, the OMs stormed home with eight of the last nine goals of the game to win by a mere three points.

The hero for Old Melburnians was Ned Nicholls, who kicked three goals and set up another in the final term after being moved into the forward line.

The win ensures the OMs remain inside the top four for another week, while the OGs miss the chance to move within a game of the top four, and instead sit just one win above the relegation zone.

Old Melburnians coach James Byrne expressed pride in his players’ ability to come from behind to secure the win.

“We just stuck to our system and played the right way,” Byrne said.

“We were out on our legs because we had one rotation by half-time and had to use our players sparingly, but I challenged them to continue to play the game out.

“From there they gained some momentum, and they just fed off their own enthusiasm.

“You get so much pride out of seeing players do well as a coach. It’s a great reward.”

Old Geelong coach Nick Dixon said the defeat was a difficult one to take.

“It’s pretty shattering,” Dixon said. “We did a lot right for long periods of the game. We played just about our best footy of the year (in the second and third quarters).

“We had the game in control but didn’t manage the last quarter well. Credit to OMs. They changed their team around and we got a bit spooked by them getting some momentum.”

Williamstown CYMS 14.15 (99) def Ajax 11.10 (76)

Williamstown CYMS snapped an eight-game losing streak to stun second-placed AJAX by 33 points at Fearon Reserve.

In a match that was a tense struggle all afternoon, the CYs led by just eight points at three-quarter time but kicked clear in the final term when they scored the opening two goals of the quarter and held on to win.

Maahi Patel continued his remarkable rise in Season 2026, kicking a game-high six goals, while Toby Lipton and Sean Bass each booted three for the visitors.

The win lifts the CYs above Old Ivanhoe into ninth on the ladder, just one win away from safety, while AJAX slide to third place.

Williamstown coach Con Terzoglou said the win was a fitting reward for the effort that his players had put in.

“It felt like we were controlling most parts of the game,” Terzoglou said. “We were getting enough opportunities but weren’t converting in the first half.

“At half-time we had that conversation about how we’ve been in this position before but then other sides getting a hold of us.

“But we had a blistering start to the third term. It gave us a bit of a shot in the arm.

“Great to get a win.”

Jackers coach Lachie Buszard was frustrated with missing out on the opportunity to consolidate its spot inside the top four.

“We tried our best but were simply not good enough,” Buszard said.

“It’s a really frustrating period, with the only positives being that we are exposing more kids to senior footy.”

De La Salle 10.20 (80) def Old Ivanhoe 10.12 (72)

An inaccurate De La Salle overcame a final quarter deficit to record a come-from-behind, eight-point win against Old Ivanhoe on Saturday.

Trailing by as much as 12 points early in the final quarter, De La kicked the last three goals of the game to win by eight points.

Luke Healy was the hero for the hosts, kicking three goals for the match, including consecutive majors in the final term to give the hosts the lead.

With other results going their way, De La moves up to second on the ladder, going a game clear of three different clubs, while the Hoers fall to last place, a game-and-a-half away from safety.

De La coach Nick Hyland was pleased with how his team stood up late in the game.

“It was a really good win in the end. Considering we were 12 points down in the last quarter,” Hyland said.

“Old Ivanhoe’s pressure was good. The way they defended the ground meant we couldn’t generate good looks on goal.

“But late in the game we were just able to get our hands on the ball, and managed to get deeper entries inside-50.

“To fight back and come away with the win was really important.”

Old Ivanhoe coach Xavier Naish conceded that his team weren’t able to match their opposition for long enough.

“They just played a more consistent brand for longer,” Naish said.

“We were wrestling with them for the momentum in that last quarter. Both teams moved the ball well and applied good pressure. Our pressure around the footy was an improvement on previous weeks.

“But their key players just got involved in the big moments, and they were more well-drilled.

“But we’re pretty proud of our boys. We’ve faced a lot of adversity this year.”

Beaumaris 3.8 (26) def by Collegians 17.14 (116)

Collegians produced a clinical performance away from home to maintain their perfect record, defeating Beaumaris by 90 points at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.

The Lions produced a defensive masterclass, keeping the Sharks goalless until 15 minutes into the third term, eventually completing a comprehensive victory.

Hugh Johnson was the most dominant player on the ground, recording 37 disposals, 50 hitouts and three goals, while Scott Beilby also kicked four for the visitors.

Collegians remain on top, and while Beaumaris remain in sixth place, they now sit a game-and-a-half away from the top four, losing almost 10% as a result of Saturday’s loss.

Lions coach Jordie McKenzie was pleased with the consistency his players showed on the day.

“It was a solid four-quarter effort,” McKenzie said.

“The first quarter was an arm wrestle. Both teams had an extra behind the ball all day, so it was good to play a slightly different game-style.

“Our ball movement was pleasing, knowing when to go quick and when to retain the ball and change angles.”

Sharks coach Josh Bourke said his players executed their game plan for most of the opening half, but were unable to replicate it for the entire match.

“We stuck to a tight plan for 1 ½ quarters,” Bourke said.

“We were only eight points down 14 minutes into the second quarter, but the game just opened up from there.

“But that’s footy. There’s lots of learning for us about how good sides go about it.

“We will regroup as we’ve been incredibly consistent this year.”

Old Camberwell 112.4 (76) def Old Carey 8.13 (61)

Accurate kicking proved to be the difference at Gordon Barnard Reserve, as Old Camberwell kept the pressure on the top four with a 15-point win over Old Carey.

After trailing by 20 points at quarter time, the Wellers kicked 11 of the last 15 goals of the game to win, despite having five fewer scoring shots.

The Wellers remain in fifth place, but move level with AJAX and Old Melburnians with a 7-6 record, while the Panthers sit in seventh place, one win above the relegation zone.

Old Camberwell coach Neil Connell said his players’ professionalism played a key role in securing the win.

“We steadied after a slow start,” Connell said. “We knew we were playing a good team.

“They used the ball really well so we had to pressure them. For us it was about winning the contest, or at least halving it.

“We forced them wide and made them take shots from the boundary. It was about being disciplined and not giving up the corridor too much.

“And our entries were important, too. We took a lot of marks close to goal which helped with our conversion.”

Panthers coach Luke Giles said it was a missed opportunity for his team.

“It’s probably the most disappointed I’ve been since coaching Old Carey,” Giles said.

“We won a lot – if not all – of the key metrics that we use to measure a game, but still didn’t feel like we deserved to win.

“We butchered opportunities in front of goal (and) we coughed up five goals from stoppages, which alone probably told the story.

“Credit to Old Camberwell. They were cleaner and just kept it simple. We just got beat by a better side on the day.”