Rovers rout Old Peninsula as Marcellin edge PEGS in a Saturday slugfest

Fitzroy 13.10 (88) def St Bedes/Mentone Tigers 7.10 (52)

After a rare loss last weekend, Fitzroy have returned to the winners’ list after a come-from-behind victory over St Bedes/Mentone.  

St Bedes caught Fitzroy off guard with fast ball movement through the midfield, resulting in three consecutive majors to put themselves in front heading into time-on in the first term.

The Roys looked like they were reliving last week’s rut in the first term as they trailed the Tigers at the quarter-time break 13-27.

“We kicked a couple of goals early and we thought the way we were moving the ball was troubling them,” Tigers’ coach Joel McKee said.

A common expression in football is that good teams cannot be held down for long, and Fitzroy proved just that in the second quarter.

After the first quarter change, Jack Dalton’s side rattled on four consecutive majors to reclaim the lead back, courtesy of Charlie Faubel, Connor McAuliffe, and vice-captain Ted Clayton.

Faubel was the driving force behind Fitzroy’s second quarter charge, booting two goals en route to his six for the day.

“Charlie Faubel put in what I think was the best performance I’ve seen in C Grade this year… we had no answer for him,” opposition coach McKee said.

Leading by 13 points at the main change, Fitzroy never really looked back, holding the Tigers at arm’s length for the remainder of the game.

It was Fitzroy’s ability to convert their opportunities inside 50 that was particularly decisive, especially from set shots.

“Their ability to hit targets and nail their set shots inside 50 was the real difference,” McKee added.

Ollie Etienne, William Skinner (kicking two goals), Liam Bowles, Mitchell Rowe, and Matthew Lehpamer were among the best for St Bedes/Mentone in the six-goal loss, covering well for Jake Harding’s injury early in the game.

Fitzroy continue their reign at the top of the Premier C Men’s ladder, while St Bedes remain comfortably in fifth position.

Ormond 12.5 (77) def by Glen Eira/Old McKinnon 12.10 (82)

The Gryphons have overturned a streak of heavy losses, gaining a gritty five-point win against last-placed Ormond. The victory was set up off a remarkable third term comeback after being down 25 points at the main break.

Ormond were in the driver’s seat for the first half, opening a four-goal lead at quarter-time thanks to conversions from Harrison Ross, Samuel Bailey, and Mason Thatcher. Glen Eira/Old McKinnon had opportunities in abundance to end the term but squandered four shots at goal.

Ross was brilliant in the first half, kicking three goals to put the sword to the higher-ranked visitors. By half-time, Ormond looked well on their way to registering their third victory of the season.

The Gryphons, inspired by a half-time rev up by coach Brett Dunne, clawed their way back into the contest through goals from Lucas Orso, Joel Ludik, Jack Richardson, and Lachlan Mirams. 

“Our boys were able to get a few critical turnovers and clearances to create enough inside 50s for our forwards to go to work on,” Glen Eira coach Brett Dunne said.

Ormond could not arrest the momentum and despite a Samuel Bailey major at the 31^st minute mark, they only led by 5-points.

“The last quarter was a thriller with both sides playing to their strengths”, Dunne added.

Bailey goaled for Ormond early in the last term to put his side up by 11-points, but it was all Glen Eira from there. Goals from Ludik, Jesse Maxfield, and Thomas O’Brien, were instrumental in wrestling back the lead, and eventually the game.

The victory leaves the Gryphons at the bottom of a five-team logjam on three wins with Glen Eira, Old Peninsula, PEGS, and Marcellin.

Hampton Rovers 22.20 (152) def Old Peninsula 2.2 (14)

The Rovers received a timely percentage boost on Saturday afternoon at Boss James Reserve, with a 138-point humbling of an injury-hit Old Peninsula.

It was always going to be a tough day at the office for the Pirates, who are struggling to put healthy players on the park. Hampton capitalised on Old Peninsula’s list woes with an effortless 5.7 opening term to lead by 37 points at the first break.

The scoreboard was littered with Rovers goalkickers with vice-captain Liam O’Driscoll kicking a season-high best of six majors. O’Driscoll was joined by Dan Hall who kicked three and Leo Carman, Christian Carnovale, William Crawford, Ben Seddon, who each kicked two goals.

As much as it was a display of forward dominance, Hampton’s backline was flawless particularly in the first half, keeping the Pirates scoreless.

After a score drought that almost lasted three-quarters, Old Peninsula were most productive in the third quarter courtesy of Andrew Hochegger and Darcy Still. 

“The Pirates never gave up…they had large numbers unavailable”, Hampton coach Paul Carrigan said.

Carrigan also admired the spirit and manner with which the game was played in lieu of the result.

“Both teams were highly disciplined, and we were able to look at several players in multiple positions”, he added.

The Rovers’ 22-goal game was the perfect percentage boost, leaving them one game behind Parkdale in second. Meanwhile, the Pirates remain equal sixth with Marcellin and PEGS above them.

Mazenod OC 10.6 (66) def by Parkdale Vultures 12.10 (82)

Described by Parkdale coach Owen Lalor as a “tough finals-like game”, the Vultures prevailed in a top four classic over Mazenod at Central Reserve.

It was second place versus fourth on the Premier C Men’s competition heading into the fixture, with Mazenod having a point to prove against the teams ahead of them.

Parkdale made a positive start through Hunter Lynch and Josh Ricco, which was later built upon through goals from Eden Honan, and Alex Stefanec to end the quarter leading by 9-points.

Nodders goalkicking sensation Hayden Boyce made his mark on the first quarter with back-to-back majors giving his side some scoreboard relief at the break.

The Vultures were able to open up a five-goal lead during the second quarter, with the midfield and backline gelling well to set up goals from Jai Elcock, Darcy Brown, and Lynch.

With pressure mounting at the other end, Mazenod’s Thomas Fewings broke the run of three Parkdale goals to kick the door back open for the home team.

Parkdale coach Owen Lalor praised Mazenod’s work rate in the midfield to bring the game back on their terms.

“In the second half, Mazenod were very good especially around the contest,” Lalor said.

The intensity had picked up in the last term with the game there to be won, demonstrated by the solitary goal scored by Mazenod’s Oliver Mangoni.

As the Nodders fired a late assault, the Vultures’ defenders were particularly prolific in shutting the game down according to Lalor.

“Josh Ricco (and co) down back were excellent contributors for us”, Lalor said.

Having secured the four points, Parkdale are now one win away from Fitzroy in top spot, while Mazenod end the round in fourth equal with Hampton.

Marcellin OC 6.11 (47) defeated PEGS 6.5 (41)

In a slippery affair at Marcellin College, the home side out-muscled PEGS to hang on to a six-point victory.

The heavens opened before the match making conditions difficult for both sides, producing only 12 goals for the contest.

Despite being within a couple of kicks all day, PEGS were unable to rein in Marcellin, who were able to maintain a buffer at every break.

The Eagles offensive run was on show in the second quarter which produced the best-scoring term of the afternoon with 2.5 to PEGS 2.3.

Pat Curtain and Josh Daniel made the most of their side’s midfield work, booting Marcellin out to an 11-point lead at the main break.

The contested grind continued for both teams in the third quarter, with defences on each end of the ground holding firm.

The third-quarter deadlock was broken at the 17^th minute mark when Mitchell-Baker West goaled to put the Jets within three points of the Eagles. However, it was Liam Atherton’s second major for the day shortly after that continued to frustrate the visitors’ comeback attempt.

“I think they won the game with their clearance work and ability to create repeat inside 50s”, PEGS’ coach Rob Kerr conceded.

Despite winning the last term, PEGS could not find a way to break the game open, as Marcellin’s Hamish Geary kicked the final major of the day to put the match to bed.

“Our group was pretty even in terms of impact…we could have done with someone having a big game”, Kerr said.

Kerr was pleased with the return of backman Oscar Bales to the fold, who produced a dominant game by his own measure.

“Oscar Bales had a strong return from injury and intercepted many of those entries inside 50”, Kerr added.

Marcellin’s victory puts them well-placed in sixth position, while PEGS remain behind them on percentage.