Monders, Ajax on the move, Hoers halt Panthers finals plans

Madison Talarico

Mazenod move to seven wins in their last eight games with a decisive win over Hampton Rovers by 77 points at Central Reserve. Dominant from the get-go, the Nodders surged to a three goal lead, inflicting the opposing side with a sizeable 38-point deficit by half-time. The Nodders improved on their seven first half goals with a 12-goal second half, despite the Rovers also experiencing their best half of the contest with six. Mitchell D’Angelo (4) Peter Rozanitis (4) and David Regan (3) were the top goal scorers for the Nodders, while Jack Sullivan earnt himself the BOG accolade. Round 15 will see Mazenod travel to Marcellin College to face Marcellin, who can derail the Nodders finals plans and keep their own hopes alive with a win. Hampton Rovers host Old Camberwell Grammarians for a clash that both teams will be eager to win as relegation looms large.

Old Ivanhoe Grammarians obtained another monumental victory with a win over Old Mentonians by 33 points at Chelsworth Park. As expected, the contest kicked off with both teams unwilling to yield as a four-point advantage emerged in favour of Old Mentonians. The Hoers doubled the output of their adversary with four goals to two, giving them an 11-point lead heading into the second half. Only slightly increasing their advantage in the third term, it was their fourth quarter effort which sealed the deal scoring seven goals to three – sending the away team into disarray as they fell to 6th on the table with five losses out of their last seven matches. Luke Scuderi booted four majors for Old Ivanhoe while Trent Marshall received BOG honours. Joshua Gorman was the best for the Panthers thanks to his three majors. Old Ivanhoe will travel to Gary Smorgon Oval to face an Ajax side who are in finals form, winning five of their last six matches. Old Mentonians have a chance to turn their season around as they face PEGS at home for Round 15.

Ajax moves to within arms-reach of the top-four with another impressive display, defeating Old Camberwell Grammarians by 59 points at Gordon Barnard Reserve. The Jackas set the tone early with a 19-point lead at the closing of the first quarter, before managing to keep the home side to just a goal per quarter for the entirety of the match. Ajax have turned their season around and sit only one game from Mazenod (4^th) with finals a real possibility. Brandon Joel kicked four goals and Jake Lew booted three with Stuart Fayman being named best-on for the Jackas. Thomas Oliver was a standout for the Wellers. Ajax will have the home ground advantage when they face an Old Ivanhoe side coming off two huge wins next weekend, yet the Jackas shouldn’t be phased given their current form. Old Camberwell Grammarians face Hampton Rovers at Boss James Reserve as they battle to survive relegation.

Ormond remains comfortable in second as they earn their 10th win of the season, defeating Marcellin at Marcellin College by 51 points. Ormond kicked off the match hitting the scoreboard five times to Marcellin’s two, holding a 14-point lead at the quarter break. The Monders incrementally increased their command on the game every quarter that followed, with strong performances from both sides in the fourth term, six goals to four in favour of the Monders. Thomas Buckley and Zach Benson booted three for Ormond, as Timothy Oaten and Luke Gogis each chimed in with two and Buckley crowned BOG. For Marcellin, James Robertson and Daniel McMahon each scored two while Joshua James was the best. Ormond must face top side Williamstown CYMS in Round 15 at Fearon Reserve in a first v second clash. Ormond were unsuccessful in their last attempt to dethrone the title favourites. Marcellin College will host Marcellin v Mazenod as the Eagles aim to upset the hot Nodders.

Williamstown CYMS sent PEGS packing with an 142-point win for the CY’s at PEGS Sporting Fields. The CY’s took only a quarter to get their bearings, as PEGS were within two goals at the first break. From then on, the CY’s unleashed havoc on PEGS soil booting five, 11, and eight goals for the remaining quarters to claim the largest score for the VAFA Premier C competition in 2019 so far. The CY’s had a collection of scorers, yet Nicholas Ebinger (7) and Nicholas Blackney (6) were major contributors with Ebinger rightfully earning the BOG honours. PEGS’ Max Philpot was their best. Williamstown CYMS faces Ormond at Fearon Reserve for the classic 1st vs 2nd matchup that promises to entertain. PEGS face another tough test at Keysborough Playing Fields against an Old Mentonians side looking to make their dreams of finals a reality and return to winning ways.