Good time for a break

David Chalmers

I’m new to the Ammos, so I’m not sure whether it’s traditionally the time of year that clubs choose to introduce “new blood” but in a staggering stat, no less than 20 players made their 2015 season debut in Round 8. The Queen’s Birthday break has come at a good time for most clubs, to allow their players to rest and recuperate before a big second half of the season commences for Premier B. In the wash-up after a round of one-sided matches, the ladder makes for fascinating viewing. While SKOBs sit three games clear on top, the race for second is all tied up between the Tigers, Tonners and OMs, with the Rovers a game outside the four and just ahead of the rest of the pack. AJAX, Mazenod and Fitzroy all have three wins, with Caulfield and Parkdale bringing up the rear, just a game behind.

I don’t think I’ve ever anticipated an “eighth versus ninth” clash as much as I was looking forward to watching Fitzroy take on Parkdale at the Vultures Nest, such is the even nature of the Premier B competition. The Roys were coming off an impressive win against the Tigers, while Parkdale fell one point short of Mazenod and were keen to bounce back. Fitzroy started with the wind and took full advantage, kicking five goals to open up a handy lead. The middle stages of the game were not pretty. Fitzroy continued to dominate in the second term, and the Vultures forward line was empty as their forwards ventured down the field to try and get a kick. However, the Roys could not make the Vultures pay on the scoreboard, kicking nine straight behinds before they broke through late in the third quarter. The game was at times spiteful, when Vulture Jackson Boland was sent off in the third quarter for a hit on one of their beloved Roys, the Fitzroy supporters came to life. A rip-roaring halftime spray from Vultures coach Sam Radford failed to have any impact, and they kicked a solitary goal in the second half while Fitzroy finished with four goals to run out 54 point winners. Ross Borland and Luke Baker were excellent in their returns for Fitzroy, while Parkdale made six changes and Kane Bode was among the best in his first game for the season.

In an emphatic return to their best form, Old Brighton shook off the lethargy that dogged their two previous matches, to second-placed Old Melburnians by 55 points at The Beach. The victory came on the back of a committed team effort and was all the more courageous as they finished the match with only seventeen players on the ground. The Tonners had winners in Ben Jakobi and Jon Perrett, who dominated across the centre, Charlie King played his best game for the year and an impassable defence conceded only two goals to the visitors after quarter-time. There was an immediate energy in the Tonners’ attack on the ball and they were tackling with an intensity missing from their clashes against Parkdale and AJAX. As a result OM’s couldn’t establish any rhythm, though they took a nine point lead to the first break, having kicked with the wind. The Tonners set up their victory in a dominant second term. Newcomer Jack Rutter made an impressive debut and kicked two of his four goals in this term and Michael Dewar, in his 150^th game nailed his set shot with trademark efficiency. A 26 point lead at half-time, rather than being a buffer, became a launching pad for better things. When play resumed, spearhead Dan Anthony goaled from the boundary, then Michael Karayannis, in everything around the ground, dashed in for another. The Tonners were short on the bench going into the final term, yet it any such concern about lack of legs for the Brighton supporters was unfounded. Within minutes, Jack Rutter kicked his fourth, leading the Tonners to an impressive victory and they join the Tigers and OMs on five wins.

Mazenod snagged an exciting one-point win against Parkdale a week earlier and then found themselves up against the all-conquering St Kevins. It was always going to be a tall order but then they entered the game without two of their leading goalkickers and playmakers Josh Cowan and Ben Phibbs. It was another comprehensive performance from SKOBs, who had thirteen individual goalkickers and were led by Kelvin Williams with four and Phillip Edgar continued his excellent form. The Nodders debuted three players, and Scott Durdin and Matthew Sier were impressive first up.

AJAX and Hampton played the close one of the round at Gary Smorgon Oval. It was a big day for the Jackas, celebrating spearhead Jake Lew’s 100^th game. Hampton made seven changes to the lineup that got thumped by Old Melburnians. They welcomed back captain Leigh Fletcher and five Rovers played their first game for the year. AJAX took the lead at quarter time thanks to the wind advantage but went scoreless in the second term as the Rovers took the lead. The game continued to see-saw and the Jackas snatched back a narrow lead in the third term but ultimately it wasn’t enough, with the Rovers running out 28 point winners and managing to keep in touch with the top four while staying slightly ahead of the chasing pack. Jay Ting and Daniel Corp continued their excellent form for the Rovers and Josh Verlin was impressive in his first game for the year. Jake Lew kicked three in his milestone game, while David Fayman and Evgeni Routman were among the better Jackas.

St Bedes/Mentone have had an inconsistent month, yet they still find themselves second on the ladder. They went into their Round 8 encounter with a struggling Caulfield side without goal machines Michael Barnes and Jimmy Colyvan, while Caulfield made five changes and had four new players into the side. The Tigers dominated the first half, keeping the ‘Fields to one goal and setting up a comfortable lead at the main break. Caulfield showed some resistance in the second half, kicking six goals, but the Tigers were still able to do as they pleased and finished with a 77 point victory. For Caulfield, Louis O’Keefe followed up his seven goals against St Kevins with another three and Tim Nixon continued his good form. Luke Velluto kicked seven for the winners and Luke Terrell kicked three in his first match for the year.

Round 9 Tips:
Hampton Tovers v Fitzroy
St Bedes/Mentone v Old Brighton
Caulfield v AJAX
Old Melburnians v Mazenod
St Kevins v Parkdale