The final sprint to September in Premier B

Jake Morris

Four weeks remain, so many unanswered questions, buckle up for the home stretch.

Taking full advantage to move back into the top-four was St Bedes/Mentone, as they downed Monash Blues by 63 points. Josh Cowan (5) and Matt Caia (4) helped the Tigers put up their highest scoring game of the season, with their 18.14 (122) score line also their biggest total since Round 13 last year. The Blues were no match for a fired up Bedes’ side, as they let a seven-goal-to-nil second term blow the game wide open and put an end to their two-game win streak. The Blues join three other sides with a 4-10 record, who will all battle out to remain in Premier B for 2020. St Bedes will now turn their attention to Fitzroy with a chance to move a game clear into fourth, while the Blues look to play spoilers against Beaumaris.

Steadying from a slow start, Old Scotch were able to outclass a ferocious Beaumaris by 19 points. Josh Halsall (4) and Tom Downie (4) were man mountains up-forward for the Cards’ as they picked apart their opponents back-six and helped their side run away in the final term. A disappointing result for the Sharks, as they were unable to re-produce their heroics against Caulfield and it cost them dearly, seeing them fall a game outside of the top-four. Chris Grigoriadis was once again the man up-forward with three, but it wasn’t enough as the Sharks fell for the second time in three weeks. Scotch will look to keep pace with the ladder-leading Fields as they welcome Old Geelong for Round 15, while the Sharks will look to feast on the Blues.

Getting themselves back on the winners list was Fitzroy, as they put Parkdale Vultures away by 31 points. Using a dominant final term (7.3 to 3.0), making the most of their opportunities and big performances up forward from Will Symons, Sunny Brazier and Jack Dalton, the Roys’ were able to grab win number four and keep pace with the pack. Inaccuracy in-front of goal was the killer for the Vultures, as their 9.17 (71) effort was their lowest scoreboard accuracy since Round 1 (6.16), and ultimately decided their fate. The Vultures mid-season lull now sees them staring at the face of potential relegation, coming up short in seven of their last eight games. The Roys’ will now look to make it two in a row as they face the Tigers while the Vultures take on Caulfield.

A nine-goal first term from University Blacks was the difference as they dismantled Old Geelong by 50 points. Xavier Vearing’s move to the forward line paid dividends as he booted his first four goals of the year, along with help from the always reliable Campbell Moorfield and Luke Sevior, the Blacks registered their fourth win on the trot and 10^th on the year. Brought back to earth after downing Parkdale last round, the Ogs were reminded of how ferocious the top of the table competitors are this year, with the Blacks simply outclassing them at every turn. Tim Noakes bagged himself four majors, but it was another otherwise bleak day for the club. Round 15 will see the Blacks return to University Oval to clash with Old Haileybury while the Ogs will tackle Scotch.

Our final match for Round 14 saw Caulfield Grammarians flex their muscles in a dominant victory over Old Haileybury by 73 points. Much like the Uni Blacks, the Fields’ burst out of the gates to kick seven unanswered goals in the first term, creating an insurmountable margin the Bloods were unable to chase down. Julian Dobosz (4), Stephen Lachlan (3) and Harry Schaffer (3) were the main culprits up-forward for the Fields in what was a fantastic response to dropping the previous two games. Nick Gooda kicked three for Haileybury in what could’ve been a season altering victory, instead the Bloods will fight for their lives next weekend as they need the perfect season here on out to feature in September. This upcoming weekend will see the Fields come up against the reeling Vultures while the Bloods will clash with the Blacks.