Roy boys rise, CYs do-or-die

Meg Saultry

The first week of the Premier C finals action produced two of the closest games of football this season, with each of the top four sides giving their all in search for premiership glory.

Fitzroy FC booked their ticket into the grand final with a thrilling three-point victory over Williamstown CYMS at Bill Lawry Oval on Saturday. With both of the top two teams claiming a win over the other in the home and away season, little split the two sides. Fitzroy came out firing first with four goals to one to stretch the margin to 17 points early on, but when both sides returned from the first huddle, CY’s Sam Callard lea his team response as he went on to kick three of CY’s next four goals. With the Roy’s maintaining a sliver of a lead heading into the second half, they again capitalised early to kick the first two goals of the third term. After Russell Ackerly booted the CY’s next two majors to level the score, CY were able to edge in front of the Roy’s for the first time all day and they fought to finish the quarter two points ahead. Shortly afterwards, CY kicked the opening goal of the final quarter and it looked like it could be over, but it was Fitzroy who sealed the fate of the game with the final two goals of the game to secure their grand final berth. Fitzroy’s Nathan Jumeau starred down forward with his three goals, while Sam Baker and Tom Cheshire were two of the Roy’s best, and contributed another few goals between them. Ackerly was judged CY’s best with his efforts on the field, Tom Johnstone put in another fine performance, while Sam Callard’s three goal haul kept his side in the hunt. Fitzroy’s win will see them return to Premier B next season, while CY will need to take the longer road if they want to feature in the grand final this season, with another match to play.

A final quarter surge saw Old Geelong pip Old Camberwell for a closely fought seven-point victory at Bill Lawry Oval on Sunday. Old Geelong were left ruing their own inaccurate kicking early, with the OGs slotting six minor scores in the opening term, while the Wellers converted two of their own to lead by nine points at the first break. The OGs returned in the second term in better form down forward, outscoring the Wellers three goals to two, though the Wellers held on for a four point lead at the main break. An even slog in the third quarter meant the OGs could only reel back the lead by a point ahead of the final quarter, though the OGs didn’t waste their chances in the final term, kicking three goals to two to end the Wellers season. After kicking five goals last week, Christian Hatzis was again prolific down forward, with two majors for the winning side and was suitably supported by John Simson, who also slotted two. Will Sloss was again his side’s best, while Will Horsfall also impressed. Old Camberwell’s Simon Bennett was the top scorer for the day with his three goals, Harry Crothers did his part and chipped in another two, while Robert Deev and Fraser Wells were the best of the defeated.

PRELIMINARY FINAL PREVIEW

Williamstown CYMS and Old Geelong will face off for the final spot in the grand final weekend, meeting at Box Hill City Oval this Saturday. The two teams have met twice this season, with the battle ground level at one win a piece. CY were victorious in their first meeting with the OGs, thrashing them by 79 points in Round 5, but it was the Round 18 match up that may prove more telling, with OG upsetting CY by 47 points. It was CY’s second loss for the home and away season, and with it occurring in the final game of the season, it has now sent CY on a two game losing streak for the first time this season. The OGs, on the other hand, have won their last four games, with Christian Hatzis and Will Sloss both in great form over the last two games.