Mazenod clutch, Eagles & Jackas keep finals hopes alive

Madison Talarico

Old Ivanhoe Grammarians bounced back with a hard-fought 19-point victory over Ormond at E.E. Gunn Reserve in Round 13. Neck-and-neck at the penultimate break, the Hoers were happy to leave it late, pulling through with a rally of five goals to three that left the home side rattled. Luke Velluto was in fine form achieving BOG honours, booting four majors and getting the Hoers across the finish line. Ormond’s Simon Buckley played a crucial role, also snagging four. Old Ivanhoe will look forward to Old Mentonians in Round 14 at Chelsworth Park. A loss here could spell disaster as both sides attempt to keep their finals hopes alive. Ormond takes on Marcellin on the road with the aim to avenge their upsetting defeat and stamp their position on the ladder.

Williamstown CYMS pulled off quite the coup last weekend, earning a 159-point win over Old Camberwell Grammarians at Fearon Reserve setting the largest win margin of 2019 (in Premier C). The CY’s shot out of the gate, scoring nine majors in the first term while the Wellers experienced their best scoring quarter for the day with two goals. The Wellers were restricted to only four goals for the match duration, meanwhile, the CY’s amassed 24 being blessed with two nine-goal quarters in addition to a plethora of scorers. Ben Gray earnt the BOG accolade, leading the charge for the CY’s with six goals, while Jack Gray, Oliver Becroft and Jack Noonan scored three each. Nicholas Latsas held his own for the Wellers. Williamstown CYMS travel to face PEGS at PEGS Sporting Fields for Round 14. Don’t expect the CY’s to be complacent, as they are on a mission for gold. Old Camberwell face a renewed Ajax at Gordon Barnard Reserve, who is determined to shock the competition with a finals berth that is within reach.

Ajax stack two consecutive wins after defeating PEGS by 56 points at Gary Smorgon Oval. The Jackas came out strong, quickly engineering a 21-point advantage that would keep the visiting side goalless. It wasn’t long before PEGS answered back with five goals to match the Jackas for the next two terms. With PEGS gaining steam, Ajax called ‘game’ booting six straight in the final term which sent PEGS on their way. Nicholas Lewis continues his tremendous form for Ajax, being named best-on-ground, while Jake Lew contributed five which places him atop of the leading goal scorer tally. Samuel Good was PEGS’ best performer. Ajax (7^th) sit one win away from the four, as they face 9th ranked Old Camberwell with intentions to disrupt the current finals race. PEGS (10th) will face Williamstown CYMS (1st) at home for Round 14.

Mazenod triumphed with a come-from-behind victory by two points over Old Mentonians at Keysborough Playing Fields. In the sweetest of victories, the Nodders can rejoice as they shoot into the top 4 for the first time this season. In the early moments of the contest, neither side gave up ground with scores indicating a one-point advantage to Mazenod going into the second term. The deadlock continued into the premiership quarter until the Panthers outstruck the Nodders with five goals to three, and a 14-point buffer heading into deciding term. All inklings pointed to the Panthers to run away with the match, yet, it was the Nodders who remained composed booting four pivotal goals to one which allowed them to continue their fine run of form. Joshua Muling was BOG while Jarryd Raffa notched three goals for the Nodders. Max Rothberg scored three goals and Joshua Gorman was the Panthers’ best. Mazenod will look to build on their exceptional run with another as they face Hampton Rovers at Central Reserve who are without a win in five games. Old Mentonians won’t have the luxury of home soil to face Old Ivanhoe in a crucial contest for Round 14 that will have massive repercussions on finals.

Marcellin attained a meaningful win after defeating Hampton Rovers by 17 points at Marcellin College. The Rovers were in strife early as immense pressure from the Eagles allowed them to improve a 13-lead in the first quarter to a 28-point lead at half time. With a strong-hold on the game, the Eagles took their foot off the gas which prompted a five-goal to two surge from the Rovers which lessened the margin to just nine points. As momentum shifted towards the Rovers, the opposite Eagles rose and stamped out any hope of a late comeback holding them off with three majors to two. Ashley Viney, James Robertson, and Daniel McMahon added two goals apiece to Marcellin’s total, while Alastair Clayton was the team’s best. For the Rovers, Charlie Miles, Sam Bradford and Harrison McIntyre all booted two. Marcellin will get the pleasure to play at home once again when they face Ormond in Round 14, who are eager to correct their Round 13 blunder. Hampton Rovers will face Mazenod at Central Reserve, with the Nodders currently on a warpath and the Rovers are next in line.