Hopeful Hampton, surging CYs, and unlucky OGs

Mitch op’t Hoog – @mitch_toog

In yet another unpredictable week of Premier C football there has been movement in the top four and some hope restored for survival at the bottom end of the table. The battle to avoid relegation remains alive with Hampton Rovers continuing their strong form and claiming a win to keep their 2018 Premier C hopes alive. At the top end of the table, Williamstown CYMS have recorded an important victory to leapfrog Old Geelong into fourth spot after the Ogs fell agonisingly short of ladder leaders, Caulfield.

Old Geelong needed to claim the win against top-of-the-table,  Caulfield Grammarians, in order to maintain their spot in the top four. The first half of the match was closely contested with Old Geelong trailing by just three points at the first break and then three points at half time in what many predicted to be a one-sided contest. The Ogs were led by their fearless leader in George Burbury who was unstoppable around the ground and ended the day with four goals to his name. In the third quarter, play opened up a little more, with Caulfield Grammarians kicking ahead with six goals to three. Despite the Fielders’ dominance in the third, Ogs remained within striking distance at the final change, trailing by 23 points. Old Geelong won the last quarter and came home strong, but the Fielders,  led by Xavier Jordan who was at his dominant best, held off a barnstorming Old Geelong to record the 10-point victory. Declan Reilly, too, was a pivotal Fields’ player, kicking a big of five for the second week in a row. George Burbury ran the game out to claim Old Geelong’s best. With the loss, the Ogs now fall to fifth on the ladder after CYs strong win over Kew.

Knowing they had to win to get back into the four, Williamstown CYMS were relentless against Kew as they kicked away to 33-point quarter time lead while holding the Bears scoreless in the process. In the second quarter, the contest evened up a little but Kew were playing catch up all day as the CYs increased their lead at each break. Despite the big occasion and the importance of the game, the CYs were clinical and well-drilled, eventually winning the game by 72 points. Jack Connolly kicked a goal and found plenty of the ball in a BOG display for the CYs while the Gray brothers, Ben and Jack, combined for five between them. For the Bears, Brin Duggan was their best on a bad day. The win was huge for the CYs as they now jump Old Geelong into fourth spot on the ladder with just two regular season games left to play. The well-versed display of football from the CYs should be a warning to the top three teams, proving should they hold on to their spot in the four, they can play well in vital games, despite their opponent this week.

Hampton Rovers have hit a purple patch over the past two weeks, claiming consecutive wins, this week defeating Old Camberwell by 19 points and maintaining their hopes of staying in Premier C for 2018. Old Camberwell will be disappointed they were unable to claim the win as they had more scoring shots than the Rovers but could only manage nine goals from their 25 attempts. The margin was just four points at three-quarter time but the Rovers ran away with it in the last, kicking 5.3 (33) to Old Camberwell’s 3.0(18) and clinching the victory. Oscar Roberts starred for the Rovers, kicking his biggest bag for the year with four goals while Sam Clements was judged BOG for the day. For the Wellers, James Allen was admirable but their ninth loss for season sees them maintain seventh spot on the ladder – one game outside the four with two to play.

Old Mentonians have reignited their bid for a finals spot, claiming their eighth, and most important, win of 2017, defeating second-placed Old Haileybury by 37-points. This is the second shock loss for Old Haileybury in as many weeks and has many people scratching their heads as we get ever closer to the finals. On the back of their big win, the Panthers remain in touch with top four, sitting in sixth spot, behind Old Geelong and Williamstown CYMS on percentage alone. As for the Bloods, the loss leaves their top two spot in jeopardy as they remain just one game clear of Marcellin in third with two left to play. Based on form and the run home, Marcellin could sneak in for a double chance by season’s end. Old Mentonians’ Comrey Edgeworth starred in a BOG display while Benjamin Rossi top-scored with three goals. For the Bloods, Lachlan Treverton fought hard all day but could only do so much.

Marcellin continued their charge for a top two spot claiming an impressive 34-point win over Old Ivanhoe on the back of five goals from Robert Costanzo. The first quarter set up the strong win for the Eagles as they raced out to a 22-point quarter time lead and never looked back. The Eagles won each quarter, bar the last, as they proved why they’re in third position with a dominant display of team football. Eight individual goalscorers peppered the scoreboard for Marcellin while Trent Carlson was named best afield for the second time in the past three matches. For Ivanhoe, there were plenty of positive signs as Hayden Heta and Brandon Lee combined for six goals, kicking three apiece. With the win, the Eagles take themselves a game clear in third spot and just one game behind second spot on the ladder. With the next two games very winnable for the Eagles, they may well sneak into second spot on the ladder and jump Old Haileybury to claim the double chance. The loss is a tough one for the Hoers as they sit in eighth, now just one game clear of the relegation zone after five losses on the trot.