OMs survive scare as fourth spot is up for grabs – Premier B Men’s Round 16 Review

Old Ivanhoe 8.16 (64) def by Old Melburnians 10.10 (70)

Old Melburnians kept their finals hopes alive with a narrow six-point win away to Old Ivanhoe at Chelmsworth Park on Saturday.

In a match where the margin never exceeded 15 points, Old Melburnians held on in a tense final term.

Lachie Templeton was outstanding for the OMs, recording 44 disposals and ten clearances, while Patrick Naish did his best for the Hoers, collecting 38 disposals and two goals.

The Oms remain in third spot and currently sit a game inside the top four with two matches to play and can secure a spot in the finals with victory against the unbeaten Collegians this week.

Old Melburnians coach James Byrne said that the match carried a finals-like intensity.

“Credit to Old Ivanhoe,” Byrne said. “They came out and took the game to us. They were fighting for their lives.

“We got trapped into playing their slingshot-style of footy… We had to readjust; it wasn’t until the second half of the third quarter that we started to get it back going our way.”

Hoers coach Xavier Naish said it was his side’s inability to convert that proved costly.

“It’s been a disappointing and frustrating couple of weeks from our end,” Naish said.

“We thought our pressure was through the roof, and our tackle and contested numbers were really pleasing.

“We probably just shot ourselves in the foot with our conversion. It was disappointing again to not come away with the win.”

Beaumaris 10.17 (77) def by De La Salle 14.10 (94)

De La Salle returned to winning ways with a crucial 17-point win over Beaumarisat Trevor Barker Beach Oval last weekend.

After conceding the first two goals of the game, De La eventually took control, leading at every change to gain an important victory.

Brett Bosaccci led the way with five goals for the visitors, while Max Hoult and Luka Pecer each booted three goals for the Sharks.

The win sees De La maintain a hold on second place on the Premier B Men’s ladder, while Beaumaris sit in sixth place, still a game outside the top four, but with a healthy percentage heading into the final fortnight.

De La coach Nick Hyland described the match as a “mini-final”.

“Both teams pressured well and moved the ball very well,” Hyland said.

“It was a game of real momentum, but we were really pleased with how we were able to absorb the opposition’s pressure.”

Sharks coach Josh Bourke said that it was another frustrating afternoon for his team, who have now lost six games by under three goals this season.

“We’re doing a lot of stuff right. We just haven’t quite had the maturity, experience and class to finish it off,” Bourke said.

“We just have to get a bit cleaner. We’re really pleased with the year to a degree, but it’s a year of ‘what if’ for us.

If there’s one thing we’ve learnt in B-Grade, it’s that we’re up to the level.”

Old Carey 16.14 (110) def Old Geelong 14.7 (91)

Old Careyhave continued their unlikely push for finals with a come-from-behind 19-point win against Old Geelong at Carey Sports Complex last weekend.

Despite trailing by 12 points at three-quarter-time, the Panthers piled on a seven-goal final term to storm home and win.

Charlie Grummitt and Riley Thompson each kicked three goals for the Panthers, while Connor Dixon led the way for the OGs with four majors.

The win all but secures Old Carey’s place in Premier B Men’s for 2027, lifting them two games clear of the bottom two with two games remaining, and sit only a game outside the top four, level on 28 points with the Old Geelong.

Old Carey coach Luke Giles said finally being able to get some continuity in the team is paying dividends.

“With the same playing group playing together, parts of our system are also coming into place together, so we’re feeling really good about ourselves,” Giles said.

“It was really pleasing to see a midfield group take full control of the game and get the clearances going our way. It was just a really good team effort.”

Old Geelong coach Nick Dixon said his boys just weren’t able to keep up with their opponents for the four quarters.

“We started well; our intensity was great early,” Dixon said. “The quality of football was really high.

“At half-time I noticed a lot of the boys were physically struggling compared to recent weeks.

“We looked a bit flat and lethargic, and they always looked like they were getting more numbers to the contests.”

Old Camberwell 11.8 (74) def by AJAX 15.10 (100)

AJAXhave snapped back into winning form after recording a strong 26-point win over Old Camberwell to launch back into the top four.

After an even opening term, the Jackers kicked 11 of the last 17 goals of the match to walk away with an impressive victory.

Young star Jethro Gunn continued his strong form with another 45 disposals and Liam Thomas shone for the Wellers, finishing with a season-high eight-goal haul.

The win moves AJAX back into the top four at the Old Camberwell’s expense, with both sides sharing an 8-8 record, separated only by percentage with two games to play.

AJAX coach Lachie Buszard said he was pleased not just with the way his team responded after a down few weeks, but what the win means in a broader sense for the club.

“It was a great response from the group against a side that has been in really strong form,” Buszard said.

“We have now achieved our goal of staying in Premier B, which is a wonderful effort given we have played 46 players.

“We haven’t beaten too many teams above us on the ladder this year so the next two weeks (against De La Salle and Collegians) will provide us an indication of where we are at.”

Old Camberwell coach Neil Connell said the opposition were more consistent on the day.

“They were able to maintain possession for longer periods and, when they got control of the game, they were able to move the ball into their forward half and create enough scoring opportunities to build a lead,” Connell said.

“There were times when our football was good, but we didn’t maintain it for long enough.

“Our ability to defend together, pressure the opposition and then use the ball with purpose needs to be more consistent.”

Collegians 23.15 (153) def Williamstown CYMS 3.6 (24)

Collegians made it 16 wins in a row and all but confirmed Williamstown CYMS’ relegation to Premier C with a crushing 129-point win at Harry Trott Oval on Saturday.

The Lions started magnificently, keeping the CYs scoreless in the opening term as they opened up a 45-point lead, before going on to win in a big way.

The goals were shared around, with Scott Beilby and Samuel Parson each managing four goals for Collegians.

While the Lions still sit comfortably atop the Premier B table with an unblemished record, the CYs now look all but certain to go down, sitting two games and 22% away from safety with two games to play.

Collegians coach Jordie McKenzie put the win down to a four-quarter effort from his players.

“The midfield set the tone at the start,” McKenzie said. “They all equally contributed in a big way.

“Our ability to be clean and get our handball game going made us very hard to defend. Everyone’s selfless attitude and willingness to buy in was very pleasing.”

Williamstown CYMS coach Con Terzoglou said his team were simply overwhelmed by a much stronger outfit.

“It felt like we were being met by a freight train,” Terzoglou said.

“They were a different beast. You could see in their structure they were really disciplined with their positioning.

“We were under the pump a bit, but then we turned the ball over in bad spots.

“But we didn’t give up or stop. We did try. We kept that message, and the boys kept at it.”