Vulture’s epic last quarter puts them in prime position for finals

Ari Paevere

Round 15 of the Premier C Men’s competition has been nothing short of intense, with teams either solidifying their spots in the finals or falling further away from their desired positions.

At Chelsworth Park, the highly anticipated clash between Old Ivanhoe and Parkdale Vultures unfolded, with significant ladder implications at stake. Old Ivanhoe was eager to secure a top two spot, while Parkdale fought to cement their position in the top four, a position they were barely holding on to.

The game remained tightly contested for the first three quarters, with Parkdale maintaining a slight edge on the scoreboard. Ivanhoe fought back however and narrowed the gap to just two points by the end of the third quarter.

In the final quarter, Parkdale unleashed an offensive onslaught, scoring five goals that led them to a 16-point victory. Ryan Macdermid played a crucial role for the Vultures, contributing five goals to their 14, while Harvey Johnston also made a significant impact with two goals of his own.

With this win, Parkdale now find themselves a game and a half clear in fourth position on the ladder, firmly in control of their destiny as they need to only secure a win against Mazenod next week to lock in a finals spot. The team’s remarkable form suggests they could pose a serious threat in the finals, especially after defeating a top two side like Old Ivanhoe.

Old Ivanhoe, on the other hand, missed a golden opportunity to solidify their top two position, finding themselves still tied with PEGS, only holding onto their top two position by percentage.

Meanwhile, Mazenod missed a big chance to stay in touch with the top four as they fell 15 points short to Old Carey in a scrappy encounter at Carey Sports Complex. Despite a relatively low-scoring affair, Lachlan Senior’s three goals proved instrumental in securing the victory for Old Carey.

The loss has made it more challenging for Mazenod to secure a finals appearance. Their upcoming match against Parkdale Vultures will be crucial, as a win would keep their season alive, but a loss would bring it to an end.

In a dominant performance, Old Camberwell emerged as 57-point victors against the Hampton Rovers, tightening their spot in the top two, holding a game and a half lead on top of the ladder.

Old Camberwell came out of the blocks with a strong start and carried that momentum throughout. Ben Hart and Riley Verbi made significant contributions, with 3 and 4 goals, respectively.

In a tough day at the office for the Rovers, the likes of Harrison Mcintyre and William Crawford stood tall, with 2 goals each and mentioned in their best players.

Marcellin showed their determination to avoid relegation by securing a resounding 91-point victory over Ormond.

Lachlan Rush, Josh Posar, and Adam Tomaro each kicked three goals to celebrate the win, providing some relief in a trying season.

Although Ormond couldn’t get the job done, Blake Picone and James Tsakonas led from the front. With the bye next round, Ormond will be able to regroup before looking to finish the season strong in the final two rounds.

As the competition moves forward to Round 16, all eyes will be on Gerry Green Reserve, where the Parkdale Vultures face Mazenod in what will be a finals-like game with season-defining consequences. A victory for the Vultures would secure their spot in the finals and eliminate Mazenod from contention. On the other hand, a win for Mazenod would keep their season alive for another week.

Additionally, the clash between Old Camberwell and Old Ivanhoe promises to be a crucial game that could significantly impact the order of the top four.

With such high stakes encounters on the horizon, Round 16 is shaping up to be another thrilling chapter in Premier C Men’s.