De La claim Lasallian Cup, while the Roys springboard up the ladder

There’s a distinct front runner in Premier B and as Brian Waldron has said on this week’s VAFA Podcast, it’s “theirs to lose” for University Blacks going forward. Beaumaris are proving to be another strong contender while Fitzroy have taken it all before them and climbed into the top four after the weekend.

Beaumaris have come back from the bye in round five in fine verve winning consecutive games, this week accounting for Ajax by 43 points. The victory for the Sharks and loss for Old Haileybury gives them a game buffer in second spot on the table.

On Saturday, under the guise of Guy McKenna they led and extended their lead at every change with Joel Cusack (5 goals) the focal point in the forward line. Sam Gibbins (3) offered another avenue to goal while for the Jackers it was Kane Nissenbaum (2) and Remy Spicer (2) in his first senior match hitting the scoreboard.

Callum Heath is putting together a strong block of form and will be a player opposition clubs are spending time trying to cover going forward.

This weekend the Sharks head bayside to Fearon Reserve facing off against Williamstown CYMS who will be fresh coming off a bye, while Ajax will aim to get back on the winners list as they head to Brindisi St Oval to tackle St Bede’s Mentone Tigers.

St Bede’s had a stirring win a fortnight ago against Old Haileybury and since then have run into a rampant Fitzroy (who’s form has been franked over the weekend), and now a De La Salle side starting to get their mojo going.

Playing for the Lasallian Cup, the Tigers were held to a single goal for the opening three quarters, and finished the day with three as De La ran away victors by 45 points, Brodie McLaughlin’s third game back this season netted a bag of five while Howard Persson was named best afield for the home side.

Zac Calvez, the hero of a fortnight ago took the honours as the best player for Bede’s in the loss. They’ll need to regroup quickly or they’re in danger of the opening half of the season getting away from them. For De La Salle, they’re off to relax in Waldron’s backyard with a bye and get themselves right for a tilt in round nine at Brunswick St Oval.

Fitzroy are having quite the start to the season, an Anzac Day Monday victory, the unveiling of the Kevin Murray Stand and an 82 point win over Old Carey to propel them from sixth on the table, into the top four.

38 scoring shots to 15 was the order of the day as 14 players kicked goals for the Roys on the way to a barnstorming win. Max Ellis kicked 2 in a best on ground display. It’s been a rough start to 2022 for Old Carey and the challenges get even tougher this weekend when they meet the undefeated University Blacks at home.

Lachie Summers has been a shining light in an otherwise bleak start to the season, while half of the team is under the age of 23, they’re young, they’re learning and no doubt, like many young teams, the back half of the season will produce a stronger output than the front half.

It’s been mentioned above that University Blacks are the frontrunners in the competition. They were challenged for much of the afternoon against Old Haileybury at Princes Park before the ladder leagues took a stranglehold of the game in the final quarter.

Leading by two points Blacks put the foot down with five goals to one to stretch the final margin 26 points when the siren rang out. The loss pushed Old Haileybury down to third spot with a 3-3 record, they are without Brede Seccull at the moment, arguably the best player in the competition, which is a significant hole to fill.

For the Blacks, it’s no surprise the players named amongst the best are the experienced men of the team, Jordan Quaile, Hugh Curnow and Bede Mahon. All know what’s required when the game is tight and willing.

The next challenger awaiting Old Haileybury is the in-form Fitzroy, a battle between third and fourth on the table as we approach the halfway point of the season. The loser of this battle keeps the door ajar for St Bede’s, De La Salle, Ajax and even Williamstown. For the winner, a chance to stay in touch with Beaumaris in a fight for second spot.

It’s sure to be a fascinating weekend coming up, and we can’t wait to see how it all pans out.

*Our regular reporter Eliza Wright suffered a broken leg at the weekend, all of us at the VAFA wish her a speedy recovery and a return to writing, and playing footy again very soon.