SATURDAY SKINNY

What a round it proved to be. Shocks, surprises, turn-ups as well as some poundings and a couple of executions dominated the day. Three top teams came undone, cellar dwellers scratched their way to victory and some contenders kept hopes alive. It’s not over yet.

Old Xaverians kept double-chance hopes afloat with a strong win over Collegians. Xavs led all day, with Matt Handley snaring five. Uni Blues finished stronger than the Brindisians to hold on to fourth spot, just ahead of Old Carey, who sent Old Scotch deeper into the mire. Carl Peterson booted five for the Panthers. Old Haileybury edged Old Trinity in a low scoring affair, reviving their chances of staying up, while De La Salle, with John Nicolopoulos kicking five beat OMs. UPSHOT: Xavs just two points behind SBMT, who meet Collegians next week. The Bloods, who play OMs next week, are just two points behind Old Scotch, who meet Xavs. Blues and Carey meet in a beauty at Sportscover on Saturday.

In Premier B, Caulfield sneaked home against Beaumaris in a ripper, while Old Ivanhoe held Uni Blacks at bay all afternoon. St Bernard’s defeated Old Brighton, with Andrew Merrington kicking six. Josh Paola snagged five for Oakleigh, who came late but failed to oust St Kevin’s. Guy Martyn kicked five for Hampton Rovers, but Marcellin won at the Boss. UPSHOT: Kevs take second from the Tonners, Ivanhoe tips the Krushers out of fourth, with Bernies still a shot. Marcellin stays alive.

Old Essendon staked its Premier C claim with Mick Fahey and Trent Skurrie grabbing twin Michelles in their win over the Unicorns. Old Camberwell moved up courtesy of their win over Ormond. David Fayman kicked six as the Jackers bested the Nodders, while Monash Blues and Fitzroy drew. Nat Black dobbed six, and Ryan Harrington and Andrew Panayi five each, as the Bees crushed Rupo. UPSHOT: The Bombers go into the four, with the Roys and Old Camberwell half a game back. It’s perhaps a bridge too far for Rupo, while Monash Blues could theoretically play finals or be relegated. Ormond and MHSOB are currently in big strife, and they meet next week.

Division One leaders Banyule held Oggers to a goal as Adam Barclay kicked six in the Bears’ dominant display. Whitefriars beat the Bullants, while Lachy Oakley kicked ten and Sam Radford five as the Vultures smashed Willy CYs. Paradians, unlucky all year, got five from Carl Sage and edged Peninsula despite seven from Harry Whitty. Scott Sleep got five as NOBs torched Mentonians. UPSHOT: NOBSPC into the four and Paradians jump Mentonians to leave them on the trap door.

Division Two punters would be millionaires tonight if they’d picked the card today. Leader Glen Eira went down to St John’s, who got five from Rohan Scott. Sab Ciavola kicked seven for the Turtles, but they could only share the points with a brave Aquinas. The Animals dumped the Trobers, with Chris Beluszar nailing five. SMD followed their shock win last week with a loss to SMS. Therry took care of Old Westbourne, with Jake George getting six and Matt Costello enjoying five. UPSHOT: Old Westbourne goes down. Aquinas, SMS or SMD will join them. St John’s could grab second from Therry, which meets the Eirans next week. Eltham plays La Trobe next week and could displace them from the four. It’s a mad world.

Prahran Assumption won again, Adam Sleight kicking six in the Four Blues’ defeat of the Cidermen. UHS-VU beat Kew, while Dan Byrne kicked five as the Wickers fell to the Hoers. Nelson Pollard kicked a handful as the Bushrangers beat West Brunswick. The Gryphs beat the Hawks, while five from Paul Edwards couldn’t get the House up over the Bankers, who got seven from Brendan Murnane. UPSHOT: Fifth spot has UHS-VU a game a head of the Wicks. Two of the House, the Bankers, the Maggies, the Hawks and the Dales will go down and all of them have tough ones next week. R18 will decide their fates.

Brent Fairbanks kicked seven in Chadstone’s loss to the Cookies, who got eight from Dan Burton. Box Hill North defeated North Brunswick on the back of five from Nick Berlowitz. South Mornington’s finals aspirations continue after they beat top-ranked SFX, but they got no help from the Razorbacks, who lost to the Sharks. The Stationmasters beat the Cobras. UPSHOT: The Razorbacks, the Stationmasters and Eley Park are all equal second. South Mornington, a game back and a game outside, play Richmond Central next week. SFX’s Ben Spencer will kick his hundred at home, boosting the “I was there when . . . T-Shirt sales.”

Don’t forget to buy a ticket in the Boag’s Big V raffle for a chance at a trip to Ireland.