Premier C: Top win earns Eagles top spot

BY JAMES RIED – @jamesried9

Marcellin’s monstrous 109 point win over Old Camberwell pushed them straight to the top of the table replacing Old Ivanhoe in the prime position. The Hoes dropped two places with a loss to Monash Blues at home. While all three sit 9-2 in the win-loss column, Ivanhoe are losing ground on percentage. Elsewhere, Peninsula’s 10 goal second quarter boosted the Pirates to a victory over Williamstown CYMS; Old Haileyburians edged past PEGS who stuck fat until being run over in the final term; and Oakleigh came back to defeat Therry Penola after a lapse in the first quarter.

Marcellin didn’t give Old Camberwell any breathing room from the get go as the Eagles slotted eight goals past the 9^th placed Wellers in the first quarter. And after a lacklustre second term Marcellin put its foot down once again to skip the halftime margin to 56. The Wellers were truly outmatched as they managed just one goal in the first half and only secured four for the game. The Eagles added another eight majors in the third and topped off the big victory with three in the last to extend the final margin over 100 points. Jeremiah Antypas led the force with eight goals in a best on performance.

Old Ivanhoe had the chance to lock in top spot while stifling another’s hopes, but Monash were not to be outgunned. And by halftime the Hoes were well aware as it faced a 35 point deficit against the Blues. Ivanhoe made a play in the third term reeling the margin to 25, but Monash’s domination across all facets was too much to handle. Monash slipped four more goals past Ivanhoe in the fourth quarter to earn a 45 point victory. Best on ground Nicholas Petering kicked his second bag of five in as many weeks in the win.

Peninsula slept in a little too long on the weekend, which almost ended their finals chances. Williamstown CYMS made Peninsula pay in the first quarter with four majors and keeping the opposition goalless. Unfortunately for the CY’s, Peninsula emerged and belted Williamstown in the second term kicking 10 goals to reverse the margin. The dragon that was Peninsula’s ballistic second term went back to sleep as the Pirates continued on in normal fashion with seven goals in the second half to end 44 point victors. Stefan Barbour was B.O.G again for Peninsula with a seven-goal haul.

PEGS were up for the fight when the Bombers travelled to Old Haileybury last weekend. PEGS, still on the hunt for its first victory of the season, took it to the Bloods in the first three quarters. The two went toe to toe up until three quarter time, as the margin never exceeded two points at each break. The fourth placed Bloods lifted in the last quarter with seven goals to take the points at home. PEGS showed promise and can take only positives into the rest of the season having matched it with a finals contender. Despite the honourable effort, they remain winless and in increasingly dangerous territory. Captain Peter Gleadhill was best on for Old Haileyburians and capped off his efforts with two goals.

Therry Penola came out blazing in Corey Bannister’s 250^th game against Oakleigh with five goals to one in the first quarter. However, highlights for the Lions ended here with a 50-point turn around in the second quarter at the hands of the Krushers. Nine goals to one for the term gave Oakleigh the advantage, and the home team carried on to victory from here out. With another 10 goals in the second half Oakleigh extended the final margin to 49. Aaron Cloke topped the goal kicking with six for the Krushers while Shane Borland was named best on ground.

This week, Williamstown CYMS and Therry Penola clash, Therry walked away with the points in the Division 1 Grand Final rematch earlier this season and tipping the Lions to do so again. Monash Blues host Old Camberwell, the Blues will be hoping for an extensive victory to get the percentage boost to reach top spot. Marcellin plays Oakleigh at home and I’m predicting Marcellin to hold onto first place with a win. Peninsula faces PEGS, and the Pirates should secure the points. Old Ivanhoe travels to Princes Park to take on Old Haileyburians. I am predicting Old Ivanhoe to squeeze past the Bloods.

Williamstown CYMS v Therry Penola

Monash Blues v Old Camberwell

Marcellin v Oakleigh

Peninsula v PEGS

Old Haileyburians v Old Ivanhoe Gr.