Sheezel shoots lights out for Jackas, Panthers pounce

Jake Morris

As the bugles rang aloud and a sea of poppies appeared across local grounds all over the city, the wider football community paused to remember and commemorate the ultimate sacrifice the ANZACs paid that allowed us to play and enjoy this great game, an incredibly important and emotional weekend for all. On the football side, the Uni Blacks and Beaumaris kept their records unblemished, setting up a captivating top-of-the-table clash this weekend. Haileybury continued their hot start to the year with another comprehensive win, while AJAX and Carey secured thrilling single-digit victories to cap off a fantastic weekend of footy in Premier B.

In a weekend that saw Old Carey pay tribute to their 2010 Premier B Premiership side, the Panthers ensured their first win on the year with a thrilling three-point finish over Williamstown CYMS. In what ended as a wet-weather classic at Carey Sports, the Panthers outlasted their opponents in the low-scoring affair with Tom and Ben Jepsen playing pivotal roles in the midfield and down back respectively. Veteran Ryan Joy kicked three of the CY’s eight while big man Sam Callard was named their best. Carey will now look to make two on the trot as they head Gerry Green for a matchup with Parkdale while the Seagulls face the Tigers with both sides eager to get back on the winners list.

Despite being just 16-years of age and running out in the senior side for the first time, the bright lights proved no issue for youngster Harry Sheezel as he bagged four majors to help push AJAX over the line in a six-point thriller over Fitzroy. Despite wayward kicking from the Jackas, Sheezel and young gun Noah Webb helped elevate their side down the stretch and ultimately grab the four-points in an impressive away win. Rory Patterson kicked three and was named Fitzroy’s best in a disappointing result that feels like one that got away. AJAX will now welcome a tough Haileybury outfit to Gary Smorgon Oval in a top-4 clash while the Roys square up with De La, eager to right some wrongs.

Continuing their incendiary start to 2021, Old Haileyburians proved once more that they will feature prominently come seasons end as they travelled to Brindisi Street Oval and took apart St Bedes/Mentone Tigers by 28-points. Samuel Loewe once again starred up-forward for the Bloods with another four majors, being judged best afield in the process, while Durras Seccull also popped up for another three goals. James Mangoni made it 10 straight kicks from the last fortnight with another impressive four-goal display for the Tigers while veteran Michael Barnes stood tall as usual for his side. As we look ahead to Round 4, the Bloods face off with AJAX in what promises to be fantastic clash, while Bedes travel across town to match-up the CYs.

Paying tribute to their skipper Jordan Quaile in his 100^th game, the University Blacks used the wet and wild weather in the second half to hold off De La Salle and run out convincing 45-point victors at Waverley Oval. Despite the weather turning the ball into a bar of soap (and eventually making it go flat), the Blackers still managed to bag 14-majors from their 21-scoring shots, with Daniel McCullough kicking four and Alastair Robbins having three. Captain Jordan Quaile was named his sides best in his hundredth game for the club. Michael Griechen and Hugh Nicholson had two apiece for De La while recruit Darren Minchington was named his sides best. Our match of the round for this weekend will see the Blackers welcome Beaumaris to Melbourne Uni Oval for a mouth-watering top-of-the table clash while De La head to Brunswick Street Oval to face Fitzroy in a contest both sides need to win to keep tabs with the top of the table.

Our final clash for Round 3 saw Beaumaris take care of business and run out 123-point winners over Parkdale Vultures. In an extremely long and hapless afternoon for the young Vultures line-up, the Sharks led from siren-to-siren with Chris Grigoriadis having himself an afternoon with a bag of six, while five other Sharks kicked multiple in the percentage and confidence boosting win. Lewis Diggins and Josh Ward were named Beaumaris’ best. Ryan MacDermid and Sam Hart were the lone goal scorers for Parkdale as they were outmatched and outclassed at one of the toughest places to play in the competition. The Sharks now face-off with the Uni Blacks in our match of the round at Uni Oval while the Vultures quest for their first win now comes against Old Carey.