Xavs down SKOB, Snow Dogs jump into top spot

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Nick Armistead

St Bernard’s moved to the top of the William Buck Premier ladder after securing a 40-point victory over Old Carey at Carey Sports Complex. St Bernard’s exploded from the blocks and kicked six goals in the opening 17 minutes, with Chris Peart’s seven disposals helping the Snow Dogs gain the ascendancy early. Trailing by 33 at the first break, the Panthers stabilised and lost the remaining three terms by just seven points. Peart went on to gather 23 disposals and nine marks in a BOG performance, while Connor Riley touched it 23 times himself. Simon Caven was outstanding as he kept Kristian Jaksch to just 12 disposals and one goal, while Zac O’Halloran, Michael Caven, Luke Di Lizio and Chris Hughes each kicked two. Sam Cust led all players on the ground with 32 touches and six inside 50’s for the Panthers, including 22 in the second half, while Matt King starred across half back with 29 and 12 marks. Zander Adam returned from potential injury to lead the way with two goals for the Panthers.

10 individual goal kickers helped Old Xaverians to a 17-point victory over St Kevin’s OB at Toorak Park. Xavs, who sit second on the ladder and as the highest scoring team for the season (227), kicked six goals to one in the opening term and held SKOB at an arm’s length for the rest of the day. Xavs led most statistical categories with 89 more disposals, two more inside 50’s and 13 more marks. Jason Holmes was outstanding with 58 hit outs alongside 11 disposals. Rohan Bewick starred in a BOG display with 28 possessions and two goals for Xavs, while Billy Kanakis returned from VFL duties with 27 and two for SKOB. Jarrad Waite added to his three goals on debut last week with five majors and eight marks today.

De La Salle played in their second thriller in the space of two weeks, defeating Old Brighton by 10 points at Waverly Oval. While never leading by more than 14 points at any break throughout the day, De La kicked to a five-point lead at quarter time and didn’t give up the lead thereafter. Hugh Nicholson was named best afield for De La after he accumulated 21 disposals while Michael Griechen had 22 and kicked a goal. Sean Fisher and Adrian Indovino kicked three goals each. Nic Pavlou would be unlucky to miss out on umpire votes after he kicked two goals among his game-high 29 possessions, alongside Tom Fisher who had 26 and two goals himself.

University Blues remain unbeaten through two rounds after they came from behind and defeated Old Trinity by 26 points at Uni Oval. Trailing by 13 points at half time, the Blues piled on 10 goals to four in the remaining two terms. Dan Batarilo (4) and Josh Green (3) did the damage on the scoreboard, while Tom Young led the charge with 20 disposals, seven marks and a goal. Gabe Hamilton returned for the T’s with a game-high 22 touches while young gun Anthony Larkey went inside 50 on eight occasions. Sam Joyce kicked three of the T’s 11 goals as they now sit in ninth spot on the ladder and with the most points against of any side (214).

Old Melburnians bounced back from their Round 1 loss to Xavs with a resounding five-goal win over Collegians at Wesley College. OM’s led by 12 points at half time but solidified the victory with six goals to two in the third term. OMs had 16 more inside 50’s than their opponents (45-29) and it was George Hurley-Wellington who capitalised with four majors to go alongside his 18 disposals. Gus Borthwick was influential with 21 touches, while Nick De Steiger gave his midfielders first use with 52 hit outs for the day. Sam Hibbins was outstanding with 21 and two goals for the Lions alongside Nik Papadopoulos’s three majors for the second week in a row.