OM’s on the board!

John Donohoe

Well, they showed me! Kudos to Old Melburnians for getting their first win on the board, I was skeptical about them last week, but they prevailed by 9pts over Old Trinity in a good old fashion slog at Albert Park. The home side led by a point at quarter time and trailed by 10 at half time before fighting back to only to trail by 4pts at 3QT. OM’s had the required belief and after a torrid few weeks they finally had something to smile about in 2015. McFarlane was the best player on the ground and kicked 2 goals in the process. Joyce kicked 2 for Trinity while Mescher was their best on a tough day for the newcomers. Well done OMs, let’s hope this form can continue.

Beaumaris shot to second on the ladder after their comfortable win over Old Scotch at Camberwell. A tight opening term saw the Sharks lead by two points at the first change. The margin was the same at half time, and many thought an upset was brewing. Beauy weren’t going to let that happen though stretching their advantage to 16 at the final break and eventually kicking 5 goals to 2 in the last to comfortably account for the Cardinals. Beattie–Powell kicked 3 along with Zagni, Aridas and Linehan were the Sharks best. Padbury was outstanding for Scotch booting 5, working well up the ground too. He moves to the top of the goal kicking leaderboard with 22 goals. Halsall and Hunt also featured in the best. A good effort for Scotch who have been able to challenge the best in the comp this year without much reward. They need to start turning these starts into wins and they will be a threat come the end of the year.

Uni Blues took on De La in an absolute belter at Crawford oval, the home side were goalless at quarter time, but rallied in the second to be down by 10pts at the long break. Some wayward kicking cost Blues the lead throughout the quarter and at 3QT De La led by 15pts. Most people assumed that De La were going to run away with the game from there, but this wasn’t going according to script and Blues booted 4 goals to 2 in the last term to almost clinch victory from the jaws of defeat. A gallant effort that will put a few teams on notice; Beavan had a blinder and was best on ground kicking 2 and getting plenty of the ball. There was a player count and De La did have 19 on the ground, a VAFA investigation will take place before the final result is determined.

The section’s best, locked horns at St Bernards in the battle for top spot. It was a cracker with Bernards taking a 3pt lead into the first break. The home side opened up the game and kicked 5 goals to 0 to go in 33pts up at half time. St Kevin’s started to get their act together in the second half but the damage was done with Bernards winning by 3 goals in a tough Grand Final replay. Sibbald continued his great form kicking 4 goals and DeLeur is one of the most consistent players in the comp with another BOG performance. Ring booted 3 for Skobs and De Biase was their best player, another cracking performance between two heavyweights who will no doubt be there deep into September.

The Xavs are hitting form at the right time of year, after a tough start, the next few weeks offers an opportunity to build thei season nicely. Xavs had a comprehensive seven goal victory over Uni Blacks, Sam Cleeve booted 6 goals and Harry Kelly continued his great form. Smith and Silk played their best games for the club while Walkley was Blacks’ best along with Wills and Bowden. The Xavs are doing all they need to at the moment but will need to start taking some big scalps in the coming weeks.

TIPS

Old Scotch v Uni Blues

Uni Blacks v Old Melburnians

Old Trinity v Old Xaverians

St Kevins v Beaumaris

De La Salle v St Bernards