OGs lock up finals as 4 teams remain in the fight

Meg Saultry

Old Geelong booked a finals berth in stunning fashion with a 122 point victory over St Mary’s Salesian at Como Park. The home side started off with a bang by kicking 13 first half goals, which saw them lead by 76 points at the main break, before adding further pain across the second half to stretch the margin past triple digits. Jock Grimshaw and Joseph Couch led the OGs attack with four goals apiece, while Jack Sheridan relentlessly troubled the opposition. St Mary’s skipper Heath Chipperfield led from the front and was his sides’ best, though the club struggled to do any damage on the scoreboard, kicking only three goals for the day. With a finals appearance now locked in for the season, Old Geelong (3rd) could end Old Ivanhoe’s own finals hopes when the two teams line up against each other next round. St Mary’s Salesian (10th) will be looking to get their second win of the season against Old Camberwell, though the Wellers will have much more on the line with a finals appearance in the balance.

Peninsula have stepped it up another level in the face of relegation, winning their third in row after defeating PEGS Football Club by 14 points at Peninsula School. Having only won two of their first 11 matches, the Pirates have been riding a wave of success of late after winning their last three matches all on home turf. Building a comfortable 26-point lead by three quarter time, the Pirates withheld a late Bombers comeback to secure their fifth win of the season. The Pirates produced a balanced team effort, with three players kicking multiple goals, while James Fletcher was awarded his first BOG honours in the win. Adrian Romanyk kicked multiple goals for the first time since Round 12 with his three goal effort for the Bombers, while Scott Whillas also impressed for the defeated. Peninsula (9th) have another chance to move out of the bottom two when they face Marcellin OC next round, while the Bombers (7th) must win against Old Mentonians next week if they are to keep their finals hopes alive.

Eighth placed Old Mentonians continued their own campaign to avoid relegation, beating finals contenders Marcellin OC by 22 points at Marcellin College. The Panthers proved to have the edge at every turn, though leading by no more than nine points at each break, before returning to the field in the final term to further stretch out the match winning margin. Panthers’ trio Lachlan Boyd, Darcy Brown and Kyle Conlon each booted two goals for the winning team, while Lewis Oliver also proved damaging for the Panthers. Lachlan Rush was the Eagles most successful forward with three goals to his name, while Jacob Gasparini also fought hard. It will be a battle of seventh and eighth next week when the Panthers (8th) face PEGS Football Club, while the Eagles (6th) will line up against a resurgent Peninsula.

Old Camberwell failed to lock up their own final appearance, losing to the capable Williamstown CYMS by 24 points at Gordon Barnard Reserve. CY held a shaky lead across the first half, before the Wellers struck to steal an eight point lead by the final break. But in the end CY proved too strong and outscored the home side in the final term to take the four points. Although the Wellers remain two wins clear in fourth after the loss, the club will now need to win one of their final two games to secure a top four finish. CY’s Nicholas Ebinger was formidable with his four goals, while Thomas Johnstone earnt BOG honours for the winning side. James Allen and Matthew Powell kicked three goals apiece for the Wellers, with Allan named best afield. Williamstown CYMS (1st) face a top of the table clash against Fitzroy FC next week as they look to protect their number one ranking, while Old Camberwell (4th) have a valuable opportunity to seal up a finals berth when they play the bottom-placed St Mary’s Salesian.

Fitzroy FC continued their winning ways with their seventh victory in a row, beating Old Ivanhoe by a formidable 73 points at Brunswick St Oval. The game looked over after the Roys booted the first eight goals of the game before half time, with the Hoers struggling in front of goal with their six minor scores. While the Hoers provided more contest in the second half, applying themselves on the scoreboard, the Roys still proved superior with a further 10 goals. Fitzroy’s William Fenton starred down forward with four majors, while Ted Clayton was the team’s standout. And although the Hoers were ultimately disappointing, Luke Scuderi (2) and Richard Skok were rated for their efforts. Fitzroy FC (2nd) have another chance to unseat league leaders Williamstown CYMS next week when they face off for the first time since their Round 7 clash, while Old Ivanhoe (5th) host Old Geelong in another must win clash.