OM’s break Dairy Bell hoodoo, Blues take top spot

Nick Armistead – @NickArmistead

Just one game separates fourth from seventh in William Buck Premier as Old Melburnians kept their finals hopes alive with a 17-point victory over De La Salle at Waverley Oval. Unbelievably, OM’s hadn’t tasted success at the Dairy Bell in 30 years and their first real opportunity began to fade when De La kicked five goals to one in the third term and held a 10-point buffer heading into the fourth. Tom Paule, George Hurley-Wellington and Jackson Paine all lifted in the final term as OM’s kicked away with four unanswered goals. Gus Borthwick was OM’s highest possession winner with 22 and five clearances, while Paine kicked three goals from 19 touches. Paine, Patrick Garschagen and Justin De Steiger kicked three goals each, but it was Paine’s work rate when the ball hit the ground that stood out above all others. Jacob Gotch and Sam Williams were sensational for De La but it was Hugh Nicholson who starred from the outset, accumulating 41 disposals and seven tackles in a BOG performance. The win allows OM’s to re-take fifth spot on the ladder as they sit just half a game behind Collegians in fourth, while De La now fall a game behind the T’s in ninth.

University Blues reclaimed top spot on the ladder with a comprehensive 63-point victory over Old Xaverians at Toorak Park. The Blues led by five points at the main break and 15 at three quarter time but exploded in the final term with nine goals to one. In just his third senior game for the season, 2015 Woodrow Medallist Ross Young starred with 25 disposals and two goals while Dan Batarilo kicked a game-high four majors. Major ball winners for the Blues included Big V representatives Cam O’Shea (29) and Marshall Rippon (27). Cauley Beetham (28), Matt Margin (26) and Matt Merlo (26) found plenty of it for Xavs but it was to no avail as they slumped to their second straight loss coming off the double bye.

St Bernard’s kept their finals hopes well and truly alive with a thrilling two-point victory over Old Brighton at Brighton Beach Oval. The Snow Dogs cruised to a 15-point lead at the main break before the Tonners hit back with six goals to four in the second half. Despite Harry Hill’s four goals and 31 disposals, the Tonners were unable to overcome the half time deficit due in part to Jack McNamara’s six-goal haul. McNamara was the catalyst for the Snow Dogs with four of his goals coming in the first half while Ben Huggard continued his outstanding form with 31 touches. The Snow Dogs now sit in sixth spot on the ladder as the Tonners drop to seventh.

St Kevin’s OB claimed their fourth win from the past five games, defeating Collegians by 11 points at Harry Trott Oval. SKOB trailed by 16 points at half time following a six-goal onslaught from the Lions in the second term but bounced back with seven goals to three in the third and fourth. Another 28 disposals and eight clearances from Lachie Sullivan earnt him BOG honours alongside three goals from Billy Kanakis. Anthony Bruhn returned to his best with four goals from 19 possessions and 10 marks for the Lions while Ben Darrou had it 26 times and finished with two majors. The Lions remain in fourth spot but just half a game above OM’s and St Bernard’s. SKOB, who have now knocked off two top four sides in two weeks, sit third but just a game behind the ladder leaders.

Old Trinity moved one game clear of relegation territory with a 29-point victory over Old Carey. The T’s bounced out to a 21-point lead at half time and extended it to 52 at the last break before the Panthers hit back with five goals to one in the final term. Jack Hunt was sensational yet again for the T’s with 29 disposals, but it was young gun Austin Hodge who had his strongest outing this season with 27 touches, 10 clearances and a goal. Jake Bradley (25 disposals and 12 tackles) was a standout for the Panthers as was Sam Cust (29) and Wade Brusnahan who kicked three goals. The T’s, who have notched two wins and a draw from their past three, sit eighth but four points clear of De La in ninth.