Wind blows Tonners two clear & lifts Vultures out of the relegation zone

Mitch op’t Hoog – mitch_hoog

With the wind blowing a gale at all five of the Premier B games, as it was across many other divisions and sections, not one team in Premier B was able to kick more than 100 points in Round 14, Parkdale’s 94 points the closest of any club. Many results were in fact decided by who was able to best use the natural elements to their advantage. We saw the elements influence the much anticipated top-of-the-table clash between Old Brighton and Old Scotch, with the wind providing Old Brighton a five goal head start as they kicked two games clear on top of the ladder. Parkdale were able to climb out of the relegation zone as they came home with the wind to secure a vital win over Mazenod; Monash and Old Carey each pushed for a Premier B finals berth while Ajax retained fourth spot on the back of an emphatic victory over relegation-bound Peninsula.

The top-of-the-table clash started with five unanswered goals to Old Brighton as they used the strong win to jump Old Scotch. For the remainder of the game, The Cardinals were clawing their way back, but were never able to take advantage of the strong wind when they had it. It was the first term which proved the difference in the end, with the Tonners eventually running out 20-point winners. The last time these two teams met, the result ended in a draw, which is the closest Old Brighton have come to a loss all year and was the last time Old Scotch didn’t come away with four points. Old Scotch will be disappointed they weren’t able take advantage in the difficult conditions but will be feeling confident that on their day, they’ll be able to take it right up to Old Brighton. The positive news for the Cardinals is they were able to hold Premier B leading goal kicked, Alex Mastromanno goalless for just the second time this year. Tom Fisher was solid for the Tonners, while Andrew Dewar was judged best afield. It was Alexander Van Ryn and James Sansom who starred for the losing Cardinals. On the back of their strong win over their closest rivals in terms of their ladder position, the Tonners now hold a two-game buffer atop the ladder.

In another massive win in terms of ladder structure, Parkdale Vultures took full advantage of the wind in the final quarter to come from behind and defeat Mazenod by 38 points at Central Reserve. The win allows the Vultures to climb out of the relegation zone and into eighth spot on the ladder while the Nodders slip down to seventh spot. Mazenod winning the toss and deciding to kick with the wind (as any good captain would) had a big impact on the end result of the game as The Nodders failed to capitalise on the advantage early due to inaccuracy. Mazenod still led by two goals at the first break, but from quarter time onwards it was all Parkdale as the Vultures slammed home 12 of the next 17 goals, including five in the last quarter. Liam Platt and Matt Boland were key contributors up forward in the victory, bagging three apiece, while Charlie Dillon returned from suspension with a best-on-ground performance.

Old Carey continue their Sydney-like push for finals at they secured their fourth consecutive win and climbed into sixth spot on the ladder. The Panthers defeated St Bernard’s by six points at the Snake Pit despite missing their dominant small-forward Sam Cust who’s decided to take a European trip at a crucial time of year! It was a familiar tale of the wind wreaking havoc down at snake pit as the Panthers managed to come from 18 points down at three quarter time and claim the victory. The Panthers’ five-goals-to-one final quarter was led by Jason Ashby and Jarrod Reid who finished the day with three majors each while Cameron Jones deemed BOG. For the Snow Dogs, ever-reliable, Adam Bentick was a standout. While St Bernards had nine more scoring shots, 27 to 18, inaccuracy marred their scoresheet, kicking 7.20. This is something they’ll need to address during the week as life doesn’t get any easier for the Snow Dogs who gave the undisputed ladder-leaders, Old Brighton next week. The Panthers have another away game next week as they’ll look to extend their winning streak against Fitzroy FC at Brunswick Street Oval. Despite the loss, The Snow Dogs sit securely in third, while the Panthers remain just one game behind fourth and fifth.

Just like Old Carey, Monash Blues are making an exerted push for finals berth in 2017, hoping to make it two seasons in a row where they qualify for Premier B finals. Their strong 35-point victory over Fitzroy will do the Blues finals hopes no damage as they now sit fifth on the ladder, tied with fourth-placed Ajax. The Blues jumped out a 25-point quarter time lead while holding the Roys scoreless and never looked back. The margin would be extended at every break as Matthew Davidson and Jack Wotherspoon starred. Despite winning comfortably in the end, were it not for Monash’s inaccuracy, the margin could have been much greater as they recorded 24 scoring shots to Fitzroy’s nine. For the Roys, who struggled to get a read of the wind all day, Julian Turner and Jacob Long fought hard. The loss could prove mighty costly for Fitzroy as it means they now sit in the relegation zone one spot below Parkdale. Due the the tough conditions, neither team had any multiple-goal scorers.

In the final game of the round, Ajax made light work of 10th-placed Peninsula and managed to retain fourth spot on the Premier B ladder. The Jackas did get off to a shaky start, trailing by 19 points at the first break. From then on, however, they commanded the game, containing peninsula to just one goal for the final three quarters. It was seven unanswered goals in the final term that solidified the 61-point win for the Jackas. Jake Lew put on a clinic for the Jackas, bagging seven majors of his own. On the back of Lew’s seven, Premier B goal-scoring has come alive as his season tally is taken to 36, just four goals behind Old Brighton’s young gun, Alex Mastromanno. For the struggling Pirates, Jordan Pomeroy continued to put his hand up as a lone battler and extending his fine form in a long season. Toby Lipton and Ward Williams were two of the Jackas standouts on the back of full four quarter performances.