Hoers respond in style as Wellers, Eagles claim 4 straight

Meg Saultry

After a horror run over the past two rounds, Fitzroy FC corrected course by emphatically beating St Mary’s Salesian by 139 points at Brunswick St Oval. Only a single point separated the two teams after a closely fought opening term, but Fitzroy broke away to kick nine unanswered goals in the second quarter. Returning after the main break, the Roys buckled down and more than doubled their score, booting 14 goals in the second half to cap the percentage-boosting win. Ten individuals contributed on the scoreboard, but it was Sam Baker who led the charge with a career best six goals. Roys’ skipper Julian Turner was back to his best, kicking four, while midfielder Nathan Ligris was named best afield. Joel Mattiske stood up for the besieged Saints, while Will Douglas, who started the year in the thirds and has since been elevated to both the seconds and firsts, kicked his first goal in the seniors’ side, and was amongst the best in his second game for the seniors. For the Saints, the loss marks their sixth in a row, with the team again sinking to the bottom through a loss of percentage. They return home to Ferndale Park next round in a must win clash against PEGS Football Club. Fitzroy, still secure in second place, head across to Como Park to face fellow top four side, Old Geelong.

After narrowly losing their past two games by a combined eight points, Old Ivanhoe responded with a commanding 71-point victory over Peninsula at Chelsworth Park. The Hoers orchestrated a solid 31-point lead by half time and, continuing to give no leeway, kicked a further 10 goals in the second half to take the game beyond doubt. Nick Reeves-Smyth’s ability was noticeable once again, with the forward best on ground with his three goals. Reeves-Smyth has remarkably featured in his side’s best eight weeks and counting. Daniel Cookson had another outstanding game, while Luke Scuderi contributed three goals for the home side. Peninsula’s Tory Taylor stood up with three goals, while Mikey Mclellan performed well and Nelson Forrest, who came up from the U19 side, was one of the Pirates best and finished with a goal. The Hoers remain in seventh but face a challenge when they play Williamstown CYMS next. Peninsula move off the bottom of the ladder due to other results, but must lift when they play the eighth placed Old Mentonians next round.

Old Camberwell have continued their strong form by winning their fourth match in a row, this time defeating third placed Old Geelong by 14 points. The Wellers now hold an impressive record at home, winning four of a possible five games at Gordon Barnard Reserve, with this victory another big scalp for the club after they beat second placed Fitzroy FC before the bye round. It was the middle two terms where Old Camberwell separated themselves, kicking five more goals than Old Geelong managed, and while the OG’s attempted to wind back the 27-point lead with five goals to two after three quarter time, it wasn’t enough. Old Camberwell’s Nick Adamson (4) was good for the home side, and with Ben Hart missing in the middle, Chris Hensby stood up to cap a fourth impressive performance in a row. Jacob Jess was the best for OGs while Matt Corney, Matt Bird and Josh Hoevenaars all chipped in two goals each. The Wellers have won four from four, though remain in fifth, but can jump into top four contention with a win over fourth-placed Marcellin OC. Old Geelong will not want to lose a second game in a row when they face Fitzroy FC next round, with their third place position not yet solidified.

Williamstown CYMS remain one step ahead of the rest of the competition, adding a 97-point victory over Old Mentonians to their long list of ruthless wins this season. Playing at Keysborough Playing Fields, CY kicked 12 goals to two in the opening half, giving the Panthers an insurmountable lead to chase. CY’s Lewis Kennedy was the star down forward in his first senior game this season, finishing with five majors after being elevated from both thirds and reserves this season. Ben Deller finished with a bag of four while Jacob Wheelahan (1) nabbed his third BOG honour for the season. Alex Cross was the Panthers most reliable shot, kicking two. CY hold a one-win buffer at the top of the ladder and face Old Ivanhoe next round, while the Panthers, sitting in eighth, need to pounce against the lower placed Peninsula.

Marcellin OC have resuscitated their season with four wins in succession, their latest victory a close 11-point contest against PEGS Football Club. The Eagles were able to hold the winning margin throughout most of the game as the two teams went score for score, though the Bombers did manage to get as close as six points at three quarter time. Though they managed to seal the win, the Eagles failed to take capitalise in front of goal, finishing with 1.5 in the final quarter. Having not played since Round 5, Marcellin’s Lachlan Rush (2) returned to help his team to victory, while Patrick Hamblin and Rowan McKenzie were the standouts. Adrian Romanyk and Tom Mendico each kicked two goals for the Bombers, while Andrew Khallouf was the best afield in his team. After coming up against every top four side in the past month, the Bombers have failed to make their mark, having lost three of those four matches. They now sit in sixth, but have a big chance to reclaim their winning form in Round 11 against St Mary’s Salesian. Marcellin OC, who remain in fourth, have the opportunity to leap one win ahead of Old Camberwell (fifth) when they face off at Marcellin College in the game of the round.