Scotch say catch us if you can while the Blues & Lions are hot to Trott

Round 7 of William Buck Premier produced high octane, high quality football. Old Melburnians have found their way to a second consecutive win, while University Blacks are on the winners list for the second time in three weeks. Collegians bounced back after last weeks loss as Old Scotch and University Blues are trading blows as the in-form sides of the competition.

It’s incredible to think about how the season has started for Old Scotch. On a five game winning streak after a 48 point win over the highly fancied Old Brighton at Brighton Beach Oval. The Cardinals have outscored opposition sides by 124 points in final quarters this year. Their only loss so far is a five point loss to Collegians in Round 2.

Yesterday they put the Tonners to the sword. Set up with six goals in the first quarter, and an insurmountable lead. This weekend it was.a different crop of Cardinals putting in brilliant performances. Headlined by Mackenzie Allen’s six goals in just his fourth game of senior footy. Hugo Bromell was superb in the midfield and the Brown brothers played their respective roles extremely well – Jack across half back and Henry through the midfield.

Old Brighton couldn’t keep the momentum going after last weeks victory over St Kevin’s, they’re 1-2 from the last 3 weeks. Key players are missing from Dan Donati’s side, but he won’t see that as an excuse. Old Brighton are on the road next week against Old Melburnians. The Cardinals will welcome an in-form University Blacks to McQueen Park.

University Blacks produced a similar shock result. Given the form line of late, perhaps we should have seen this coming. No doubt Dale Bower and his coaching brigade would have felt quietly confident leading into this game against the Old Xaverians. Still missing key players, the Xav’s side were rattled with the news of vice-captain Billy Gowers transferring out of the competition during the week.

Denis Symeopoulos was out of the Xaverians midfield. Captain Marcus Stavrou returned for his first game of the season. At half-time it was a genuine see-sawing battle before the best of the Blacks took over, Seven goals to two gave the home side a handy 32 point buffer, and they were able to hold of the red and black mafia in the final term to claim their second win of the year by 21 points.

Again Josh Steadman led from the front, alongside co-captain Campbell Moorfield. Louis Vescio ran rampant through the midfield while Matt Grocott topped the goal kicking tally with four for the day. Two wins from their last three matches, they can throw the kitchen sink at the Cardinals next Saturday with confidence too. The Xav’s will face Old Haileybury who must win if they’re to stay within touching distance of the top five sides.

Collegians welcomed St Kevin’s to the Harry Trott Oval. Six days ago, they were worked out of the contest against University Blues. Yesterday, they blew St Kevin’s off the park. It’s the clubs biggest losing margin since Round 6, 2017 when Collegians beat them at the Trott by 90 points. Last year they experienced back-to-back losses in the early part of the season. That was the catalyst to refocus for 2022. Will this be the same?

The Lions had to find replacements for Dave Mirra, Brayden Fleming and on Thursday night, Will Pocknee. Teigan Otter came in from the reserves, Campbell Walker came down from the VFL, Lachie Ferguson played his first senior game since 2019 and Alex Lukic produced a stellar performance in the forward line with five goals. The win pushes Collegians back into the top two, and will obviously sit comfortably with Jared Rivers in the knowledge his team is mature enough to bounce back after such a showing last weekend.

Mitch Wallis was back in for SKOB, he kicked three and was named the best for the reigning premiers. They’ll face off against a red hot University Blues next Saturday keen to avenge for these two straight losses. It will be a fascinating watch to see how Plugga Lynch marshalls the troops this week.

University Blues had to wait until after half-time to overcome a gallant Caulfield Grammarians. Four senior players out from last weeks team, and then a promotion to the VFL for Ingo Dammersmith saw a very different line up for the Fields against the  in-form Blues.

A two point lead at the main change was soured by a knee injury to Marty Gleeson that saw him out of the game, and finish on crutches. Jeremy Goddard got to work in the midfield, James Paterson followed up his four goals last week with another four. Tom Young remained in the forward line while Tom Cutler was sent into defence to cover for the injured Gleeson.

Oscar Roberts tried valiantly in the backline, Oscar Ursini found his way to three goals for the Fields and Jack Ellwood battled through a knee injury early in the game. The Fields are understanding of where they’re at in 2023, but by the same token will not die wondering this year. It might be short term pain from the wins and losses, for long-term gain down the track.

Old Melburnians have experienced all sorts of pain throughout the early part of the 2023 season, but the last fortnight suggests it’s all coming together for Paul Satterley’s men. A hefty injury list, a complete transition from senior footballers to a raft of debutants. Yesterday against Old Haileybury produced an old-fashioned shootout for three quarters.

The lead changing hands multiple times, Old Haileybury went with the OM’s for the first three quarters before the dam wall burst in the final quarter. Tom Baker takes the honours for the weekend with eight goals. He was incredible for the OM’s and another excellent game from Jackson Paine. Ed Smart kicked four goals and was very important to swinging momentum in favour of the navy Blues.

Old Haileybury ran out of legs as the OM’s piled on eight final quarter goals. Harrison Jones can hold his head high with four goals, Will Paul named the best player for Daniel Ward’s side.

The Haileyburians played with the pride, and passion and drive for the contest. A sentiment that’s been echoed by St Kevin’s coach Anthony Lynch, and now Paul Satterley in the wash-up to this game. Stabilising in William Buck Premier will be the goal in the final 11 rounds of the home and away season, and doing so will put the club in a strong position to propel in 12 months time.

Photo: Bruce Tobin, Collegians FC