PEGS & Wellers start strong as Prem C commences

Aiden Box

Premier C Men’s action officially kicked off on the weekend with some strong footy played across the board in wet and greasy conditions.

Old Ivanhoe showed their firepower and opened their account with a strong win on the road at Gerry Green Reserve against a plucky Parkdale side.  In a contest full of ebbs and flows, the Vultures got their beaks in front early but the visitors were good enough to lead at the first change after what was an even first quarter.

Jarrod Gieschen’s men were good enough to open up a 20-point margin in the second term as they unveiled their scoring weapons and did so whilst keeping Parkdale to just one major in the term.

At the halftime break the signs looked ominous for the home side, but to their credit, they fought back brilliantly, holding the surging Old Ivanhoe scoreless in the third period.  To cap off what was a brilliant premiership quarter for Owen Lalor’s men, they also slammed on three goals of their own to march back into the contest. Ryan Macdermid was providing a real spark for the Vultures, doing his best to push them towards the comeback win, and it looked likely as they led by a solitary point at the final change of ends.

However, in the final term, Old Ivanhoe found their potent weaponry again, kicking five goals to three in the last to come away with a 17-point victory.  Powell was judged best afield, while Murphy contributed four goals on the afternoon for the winners, Macdermid finished with four goals and a best-on-ground nod for Parkdale. Old Ivanhoe will now face Old Camberwell, while Parkdale will take on PEGS.

The Hampton Rovers started their quest for post-season glory beautifully, closing out a nice win over Marcellin by 20 points at Marcellin College. The match was tight early, as both sides got a feeling for one another, just five scoring shots were registered in the first term. Play opened up in the second term as inaccuracy started to creep into both camps, the travelling Rovers taking a six-point lead into the main break.

Despite the two sides finishing at opposite ends of the ladder in 2022, their first meeting of 2023 remained tight throughout the first three periods, thanks to some missed chances but also to some outstanding defence from the hosts who generated enough momentum to take a slim two-point lead into the final change.

Unfortunately though, inaccuracy was Marcellin’s biggest killer, robbing them of an opportunity to stay in the contest all the way through, as the Rovers booted four unanswered goals to seal the win, 9.9.63 to 5.13.43. Roberts was announced best on ground, while Gray and Cairns combined for four goals. Capetola was Marcellin’s best alongside his teammate McArdle who slammed home two goals himself.  Marcellin will now go on the road to face Mazenod, while the Rovers host Ormond.

Last year’s Division 1 men’s runner up Old Camberwell has extended Old Carey’s losing streak, handing them a six-goal loss to start their season at Gordon Barnard Reserve.  Desperate to prove themselves and fight for redemption, the Panthers struggled from the outset, going goalless in the opening stanza and then wading into a storm of inaccuracy kicking a disappointing three goals and twelve behinds.

Old Camberwell took full advantage of this and led by Verbi’s best on ground performance and Powell’s four majors were good enough to extend their lead every quarter and jump out to the 36-point win.

Old Carey’s effort isn’t to be discounted though, they kept the game close for three quarters, never really allowing the lead to stretch until the final term, they were led well by Ogilvie and Mitch Wooffindin who kicked two of their three goals.  The Panthers will now head into a bye week, while Old Camberwell will face Old Ivanhoe.

Freshly promoted after winning the Division 1 flag, PEGS looked primed to ride their momentum and make a strong early statement in Premier C, and that’s exactly what they did at PEGS Sporting Fields.

After an even first quarter, preseason fancies Mazenod were bamboozled by a six-goal PEGS avalanche in the second, which ultimately set up their path to victory perfectly. Andrew Horne’s men, as they have been for over a season now, were superb at both ends, allowing just four Mazenod goals while pouring on 12 of their own.

It’s only early days, but the PEGS train is roaring, and this 52-point win over the ‘Nodders’ will do just about nothing in the way of stopping it.  Five individuals kicked two majors on the afternoon for PEGS, including Jarvis and Saggio while Hannah was adjudged best afield, Lovell fought hard for Mazenod, alongside D’Angelo who slotted two goals.  The now, ladder leading PEGS will roll on against Parkdale this week, while Mazenod will look to bounce back against Marcellin.