Premier: Being wrong

Andrew Leonard

@lennytalk

Nothing announces you were wrong like only managing to select one measly winner from the weekend. Pre-season speculations was cast aside in a hurry with only University Blues saving my credibility. Not that the other results were that surprising, it’s just you have to pick a winner each week and I failed miserably. The result of the round was no doubt the Cardinals’ triumph over reigning premiers Blacks. Despite the fact that Old Scotch were one of a handful of sides to defeat Blacks last year, all signs still pointed to a win for the home side. Old Trinity’s win shouldn’t have been a surprise considering the outcome of the corresponding game last year. The similarities to round 1 in 2014 were everywhere as Old Trinity mowed down St Bernard’s when the Snowdogs should have iced the game. Beaumaris failed to win in Round 1 for the first time in William Buck Premier, but the Sharks didn’t lose either. At least the draw monkey is off our back.

Beaumaris have made a habit of having fast starts in Round 1 since they joined the top flight in 2013, however Old Carey who are back in the section for the second time in their history were keen to dig their heels in and not be blown away in the first week. So an arm-wrestle ensued for the four quarters with neither side able to extend their advantage beyond a couple of goals all day. Just as one side looked to have the edge a couple of quick goals to the opposition had the game back on an equilibrium. The draw was probably the right result, although both sides will feel like they had chances in the dying stages of the game to win. James Gaff was the standout for Old Carey on his wing, whilst Beaumaris were best served by Raph Clarke, who without the coaching burden, was in everything. It was an enthralling last quarter of football, if you are a fan of high stakes never say die footy then you could do worse than watch the final quarter on VAFA TV.

Old Scotch as already mentioned were the surprise packet of the round, but when you apply pressure in the manner in which they did, it makes it hard to execute skills regardless of how good an opposition you are – just ask Hawthorn who suffered the same fate to Essendon in the AFL. The Cardinals were at their breathtaking best as they amassed 7.5 in the opening 30 minutes. Jonothan Daggian debuted last year under lights in Old Scotch’s ill-fated Round 18 showing against Collegians. That night the youngster showed some real promise in the second half. Fast forward six months and another pre-season of hard training was put on display as the youngster booted four goals. Blacks welcomed back 2012 Moore Medallist Charlie Richardson from his time up North and midfielder split the middle three times and was best for the Students. At half time the game looked done, but Blacks responded in the third, alas the final term was a free scoring affair and Old Scotch were able to secure a vital first up win for Mark Passador.

Old Xaverians must have been drinking from the same summer fountain as Old Scotch, as they too opened their season with a fine first quarter blitz of Collegians on the bowling green that is Toorak Park. A 28 point quarter time lead was whittled down to one point at half time though as the Lions roared back into the contest. Fergus Watts back in a purple jumper chimed in with one goal and last year’s goalkicking winner Shura Taft two, but the Collegians forward line was largely impotent compared to the firepower of Xavs. Eleven goals to three in the second half sealed the win for Xavs and co-coaches Hawkins and Woodruf would be delighted with the goals being shared amongst eleven players in red and black. Handley kicked an almost customary four, but he had plenty of mates in a good win.

University Blues travelled to the Dairy Bell quietly confident, but were cautious of the pre-season hype surrounding the return of many of De La Salle’s best over the summer. So the cautious nature of the game showed as both teams foxed each other out in the opening exchanges. Blues did this through much of their dominant 2014 season in Premier B, before opening the floodgates in the second half. Whilst the figurative gates were not exactly holding back a flood, Blues did kick clear in the third term to assert control of the game, and in no time had extended the margin beyond reach early in the last. De La’s prized recruit Xavier Murphy kicked a couple of late consolation goals and ended the day with four. George Curnow had three of his own for Blues, whilst it was a welcome return for Ross Young. Matt Moore’s report and subsequent suspension this week was a sour note for De La, but more so was the lack of effort in the second half.

Old Trinity and St Bernard’s (and for that matter many of the previous game) contained an awful lot of turnovers as both sides adjusted to the required intensity of a match for premiership points. St Bernard’s by rights, should have stitched up this game at the start of the last quarter. A Jesse Manunzio miss from directly in front would have put the Bernies 33 points clear. Then all of a sudden the game changed. Old Trinity started hitting targets and playing with carefree abandon and confidence that had them in the four for much of last year. Jack Hunt kicked to inspiring goals on the run – one on the left and one on the right – to ignite a comeback that in so many way mirrored the 2014 result here. Woodrow Medallist Brendan Iezzie had been held for three quarters by Sam Fleming, but he along with teammate Harry Tinney started to win the ball from stoppages with regularity. Adam Bentick had been awesome and Chad Jones a handful, but Jones did kick 1.4 for the day and St Bernard’s missed more than they should have. The one that got away.

Tips

Old Scotch v De La Salle

Old Xaverians v St Bernards

Old Carey v University Blacks

University Blues v Beaumaris

Collegians v Old Trinity