Unstoppable Fitzroy offence & an almighty PEGS comeback – Premier C Men’s Round 18 Review

Marcellin OC 13.9 (87) def by Ormond 24.19 (163)

Ormond produced their best performance of the year, upsetting finals contender Marcellin by 76 points.

Ormond set the tone from the opening bounce, kicking 4.7 (31) to Marcellin’s 2.0 (12) in the first term to lead by 19 points at quarter time.

The margin held steady through the second quarter as both sides traded scores, Ormond adding 5.2 to Marcellin’s 5.3, taking a 63-45 lead into the main break.

The contest was effectively decided after half-time. Ormond kicked away with 5.4 in the third term to open a 30-point buffer at the last change, 97-67, before piling on a further 10.6 in the final quarter to blow the margin out.

The Monders’ forward line fired all afternoon, with Jackson Hille, Joshua Hine, Kai Seeto-Grossi and Aaron Taylor all booting four goals apiece, while James Windust chipped in with two.

Lachlan Rush was outstanding for the Eagles with four goals of his own, well supported by Joshua Daniel with three and Harvey De Bono with two. Matthew Capetola, Henco Cronje and Zac Tolley also featured among Marcellin’s best in the loss.

PEGS 11.12 (78) def Old Peninsula 9.6 (60)

PEGS have finished their season on a positive note, running out 18-point winners over Old Peninsula in a hard-fought Round 18 clash that swung in their favour following a dominant third-quarter effort.

Jackson Kerr set the tone early with a long-range bomb, and PEGS held a handy but unconvincing lead at quarter time as Old Peninsula began to find their targets going forward.

The visitors took control in the second term, kicking 4.0 to PEGS’ 0.4 to snatch a 7-point lead at the main break, backed up by the more damaging work at the clearances.

Old Peninsula pushed the margin out to 14 points early in the third quarter when Bailey Payze kicked his second of the term.

That proved the trigger for PEGS to shuffle their structure with Blake Roach inserted into the midfield as a fifth on-baller, Oscar Bales to the ball, Jackson Kerr to centre half-back, Riley Simmons into the ruck and Scott Whillis to centre half-forward.

Bales’ height at stoppages, combined with newfound run and decisiveness across the ground, turned the game. PEGS piled on 7 goals to 2 from that point to seal an 18-point win and a second-straight victory.

Glen Eira/Old McKinnon 6.11 (47) def by Fitzroy 26.16 (172)

Fitzroy produced a ruthless attacking display at Packer Park, running out 125-point winners over Glen Eira/Old McKinnon.

The result was never in doubt after an explosive opening term, with the Lions piling on 6.4 (40) to the Gryphons’ 2.3 (15) to lead by 25 points at quarter time. Fitzroy continued to dominate through the second quarter, adding 6.2 to extend the margin to 49 points at the main break, 78-29.

The rout continued after half-time as Fitzroy kicked seven majors in the third term alone to blow the lead out to 91 points at three-quarter time, 128-37. They were far from finished, piling on a further 7.2 in the final quarter to complete the 125-point demolition, 172-47.

Charlie Faubel was the standout for the Lions, booting five goals, well supported by Matteo Bombardieri with four and Darcy Winstanley with three. Sam Jordan and Connor McAuliffe also chipped in with two goals apiece.

For Glen Eira/Old McKinnon, Ashley Carey, Jesse Maxfield and Stuart Carey were among the best in a difficult afternoon, while Tim Dobson was among the few bright spots forward of centre with two goals.

Mazenod 8.5 (53) def by St Bedes/Mentone Tigers 14.16 (100)

St Bedes/Mentone have tuned up to finals with a resounding 47-point victory at Central Reserve over Mazenod.

The two sides were locked together early, with the Tigers holding the narrowest of leads at quarter time, 16-15.

St Bedes/Mentone then took control in the second term, kicking 6.4 to Mazenod’s 3.0 to open a handy 17-point lead at the main break, 50-33.

The Tigers continued to dominate through the third quarter, adding 3.1 to Mazenod’s 1.1 to push the margin out to 35 points at three-quarter time, 75-40. They finished the job in the final term, piling on 3.7 to Mazenod’s 2.1 to seal a comfortable 47-point win, 100-53.

Antonio Barba and Benjamin Murphy were the standouts for St Bedes/Mentone, each booting four goals, with Matthew Lehpamer adding two. Jye Gilmour, Flynn Groves, Louis Hanson and Mitchell Rowe also found the goals for the winners.

Hayden Boyce was best afield for the Nodders with four goals of his own, while Jacob Murdock chipped in with two. Patrick Klonis, Harry Boxshall, Matt Fewings, Jack Sullivan, Fletcher Ford and Daniel O’Driscoll were also prominent in the loss.

Parkdale 19.16 (130) def Hampton Rovers 7.15 (57)

Parkdale Vultures were in dominant form at Gerry Green Reserve, running out 73-point winners over Hampton Rovers in their Round 18 clash.

Parkdale set up the win with a strong start, kicking 6.3 (39) to Hampton Rovers’ 2.3 (15) in the first term to lead by 24 points at quarter time.

The Vultures continued to pour it on in the second quarter, adding 5.5 to extend the margin to 45 points at half-time, 74-29.

The third term followed a similar pattern, with Parkdale kicking 5.4 to Hampton Rovers’ single goal, stretching the lead out to 75 points at the last change, 108-33.

Hampton Rovers found some late respite in the final quarter, kicking 4.6 to Parkdale’s 3.4, but it was too little too late as the Vultures ran out convincing 73-point victors, 130-57.

Mitch Brown and Jack Cheep were outstanding for Parkdale, each booting five goals, with Eden Honan also among the goals with a brace. Hunter Lynch, Kai Day, Olly Green and Harry Kilfoyle were also prominent for the winners.

William Crawford led the way for Hampton Rovers with two goals, while Zachary Ziesing, Josh Hudghton, Kai Carrigan, Christian Carnovale and Ben Seddon fought hard in the loss.

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Fitzroy finish the season as minor premiers, one win above their biggest Premiership contenders Parkdale. Hampton and St Bedes/Mentone round out the top four and with such a vast range of form this will be an exciting finals series.