No Fearon the CY’s faces as they tempered a Shark attack by the beach

Josh Heriot

Another action-packed weekend of Premier B Men’s footy saw thrilling encounters and close finishes. The headline act belongs to Williamstown and what they were able to produce on their home track. 

In the battle of the blue and gold. Williamstown CYMS turned the tables on Beaumaris at Fearon Reserve. Since going down to the Sharks in round 4, the CY’s have turned up the heat in Premier B and are now on a 3-game winning streak.

Like many VAFA venues, the wind played a factor in the contest early on. A seven goal blitz in the opening term set the CY’s up with a 39 point lead that the Sharks were never able to pull back.

The margin reached 43 points at the final change, Beauy unable to convert their chances kicking 3.6.24 in the final term. 

Nick Ebinger was back down from the VFL for his first outing of the season, kicking three goals, supported by fellow VFL operator in Oskar Manton. Familiar names for Beaumaris did all they could for the Sharks, Joel Cusack, Jak Nardino and Riley Mihailovic tried all day. 

Williamstown will face the toughest task in Premier B this weekend, heading to St Bernard’s to take on the Snowdogs while the Sharks will write the next chapter in their rivalry with St Bede’s Mentone/Tigers at Brindisi St Oval. 

In a captivating showdown, Old Geelong faced off against St Bedes/Mentone Tigers at Como Park. The two sides are in a middle of the table fight for a berth in this year’s top four. Despite blustery conditions early, it was SBMT who got the early jump on the OG’s with the only three goals of the first term. 

The OG’s were able to find three of their own in the second term to take a six point advantage into the main change. Off the back of a second term downpour, the next 30 minutes was tight, tough and intense footy with neither side able to break clear at the Tigers ahead by one point leading into the final stanza. 

With no one able to break the deadlock in the opening eight minutes, it fell to Ben Murphy (SBMT) as the ball bounced perfectly for him. The OG’s hit back with one of their own before a terrific mark by Caleb Lewis at the top of the goal square sealed the deal with his second of the day. 

Since Round 5, the Tigers have swapped Loss, Win, Loss, Win, Loss, Win – They’re now equal with the OG’s at 5-5 and will head home this weekend to tackle bayside rivals Beaumaris at Brindisi St Oval keen for two wins in a row. 

Old Geelong have had just one win from their last four matches, the challengers get tougher closer to September. This weekend, Fitzroy at Brunswick St Oval. 

The other game that finished in a close one was played out at Waverley Oval as De La Salle and St Bernards locked horns. The Snowdogs on a 9-game winning streak have left everyone in their wake this season, however it was De La who got the early jump on the ladder leaders keeping them goalless in the first quarter. 

Much like at Como Park, the Snowdogs came back at the home side to level it up at half-time. A tight third quarter followed with De La putting their noses in front with 30 minutes to play. 

Steve Alessio’s men were able to answer the challenge thrown at them by the boys of the Dairybell, despite inaccuracy dominating in front of goal, the final term’s score of 1.5.11 was enough as they kept De La to 0.1.1 – That one goal came at the 18 minute mark off the boot of Daniel Mott to secure a 10th straight win for St Bernard’s.

Jake Williams led the way for De La Salle, the boys of the Dairybell would consider themselves unlucky to not have come away winners, St Bernard’s happy to have used a get out of jail card. One thing they haven’t had to do this year, until the weekend is win ugly. They now head back to the College to face Williamstown in Round 11. 

Old Geelong’s loss to St Bede’s Mentone/Tigers has allowed De La to remain in fourth spot, a game clear of both sides. A win against AJAX this weekend will keep the blue and gold inside the top four. 

Over at the Daley Oval, Old Trinity took on AJAX in another closely fought out contest. 

The T’s got the jump on the Jackers to open up a 28 point lead at quarter time. As the rain smashed down during the second term it was the Jackers who returned serve and closed to within 17 points at half time. 

As the final term got underway with the margin at 24 points, it was the Jackers who kicked the first two goals to make Donald McDonald a touch nervous about proceedings. A steadying goal from Ben Smith right on the cusp of time on, was enough to allow him to rest easy. 

Veteran of the side Cal Pohl led the way for the victors, while Justin Vogel, in his first game for the season was awarded the Jackers best player. 

After losing two games in a row, they’ll be looking to make it two wins in a row when they face Monash Blues this weekend. Earlier this year they had a gritty five point win over the two-blues. Ajax return to Gary Smorgon Oval to face De La Salle, a side they’ve had brilliant recent battles with. 

Monash Blues were up against it early on in their battle with Fitzroy at Frearson Oval. Trailing by 29 points at quarter time, the margin was extended to 41 at half time, before blowing out to 62 at the final change. 

Daniel Megennis (4 goals), Jack McKay (3 goals) and Charlie Faubel (3 goals) dominated the scoring. Laird Ramshaw, fresh off winning the ACC Year 12 Grand Final with Parade College also hit the scoreboard.

Daniel Easson may well have extended his lead in the Blues best and fairest count after another strong display. James Flett added another two goals to his season tally. 

Monash will remain at home in Round 11 facing Old Trinity, while the Roys welcome Old Geelong to Brunswick St Oval. Earlier this year was a thriller at Como Park in which the Roys prevailed by a solitary point. 

The same result this weekend will leave the footy purists wanting even more. 

As fans eagerly anticipate these thrilling matchups, another exciting weekend of Premier B Men’s football awaits. Will the favorites dominate, or will we witness more surprising results? Stay tuned to find out.