The CY’s and the Tigers blow the top four wide open

With five weeks remaining in the home and away season for Premier B Men’s the fight for the lower rungs of the top four is heating up. 

St Bede’s Mentone/Tigers have drawn level with rivals De La Salle, and Beaumaris after a 16 point victory over Old Trinity on Saturday. 

In the clubs annual Jane’s Match, the Tigers got off to a slow start before working their way into the game during the second term, and then remaining ahead of the T’s for the rest of the afternoon. 

​​Jack Behnk (4 goals) and Ben Murphy (3 goals) led the way on the scoresheet for the home side. While Chris Mangoni and Zach Calvez were named amongst the best players on the ground. 

Harry Thompson was a noticeable absence for Old Trinity after his Big V performance seven days earlier. Hugh Beasley, a significant in for his first run with the T’s this year was able to get minutes on the ground, run in his legs and a goal of the day contender. 

Trinity have now lost their last two games, and three games behind the top four with five weeks remaining. The Tigers face off against St Bernard’s this weekend, before games against Monash, Fitzroy, De La Salle and Williamstown to finish. The fortunes of their own season lay within the next month of football. 

The top four has opened up because of the strong showing from Williamstown CYMS put in against De La Salle. 

A 31-point win in the clubs Homecoming Round, paying tribute to the CY’s of the 1960’s and 1970’s was on the back of a bag of five goals from Will Smyth. He’s taken his season tally to 25 goals. 

After leading at quarter time, De La trailed at half-time. They wrestled back momentum during the third term but were unable to capitalise in front of goal. Nathan Scollo tried his very best kicking three goals and being named the best on the ground for the travellers. 

The loss leaves their spot in the four somewhat vulnerable. The run to September has them competing against sides all around them. It’s going to be a great test of character for Nick Hyland’s troops. 

Fitzroy were severely challenged by Ajax having to scrap out at seven point victory to all but lock up a top two spot. 

Each time the Roys were ready to burst away, the Jackers had the answers opening up a 10 point lead at half-time. 

The third term is where Fitzroy were able to gain ascendancy on the scoreboard and weren’t headed from then on. Both sides traded goals in the final term, Fitzroy able to maintain the lead and run down the clock. 

Jonah Micmacher kicked a goal and was named the best player for Ajax. Bradley Caplan kicked two majors for the day. 

Aidan Lambert followed up his three goal performance a fortnight ago with another two for Fitzroy. Rhys Seakins has capped off a strong month of footy with a best on ground display. 

The Roys head out to Banskia Reserve this weekend. The run to September pins them against Beaumaris (Currently 3rd), St Bernard’s (1st), SBMT (5th), Williamstown and De La Salle (4th). Luke Mahoney will know where his team stands when they enter this year’s finals campaign after that. 

Ajax will do battle against Monash Blues, a game they will fancy their chances in off the back of their performance on Saturday. 

For the second time this year St Bernard’s put Old Geelong to the sword. The final margin of 62 points could have been far greater had it not been for poor shooting in front of goal.

1.8.14 at quarter time, a final score of 15.20.110. The Snowdogs had countless opportunities in front of goal. 

Marcus Holland produced his best game in front of goal this year with five. Dominic Sullivan found his way to four majors. And, Ben Overman got back to his best. 

After back to back wins, the OG’s came back to earth with a thud. Will Stephenson however maintained his strong form in front of goal with another four. Stephenson has now kicked 11 goals from his past four matches and becoming a focal point in the front half. 

Old Geelong are not out of finals contention. It’s a favourable run home, three of the five matches against sides below them on the ladder. They reached the 2022 Premier C Grand Final as underdogs, they know this storyline well. 

The Snowdogs continue their winning form at home, eight wins from eight starts. They’re on the road for the next month and won’t return to the College until Round 18. 

On the field, Beaumaris put a fortnight of frustration behind them with a resounding 101 point win over Monash. 

For the second game in a row, and third time this year Joseph Nowell booted five goals. He’s kicked 10 of his 19 for the season against Monash.

Potential AFL draft prospect Calsher Dear pulled on the Sharks guernsey and slotted three majors as part of the victory. 

James Flett kicked two goals for Monash, Nicholas Argento was named the best for the Blues. They’re off to Gary Smorgon Oval this weekend to face Ajax. 

The Sharks remain inside the top four with an investigation pending as they said in a statement on Friday night they would be challenging the VAFA’s ruling. 

In Round 14 they welcome Fitzroy to Banksia Reserve. A must-win contest if they’re to remain in the four and mix it with the best in Premier B.