And then there were four: Vultures demolish Mazenod to secure finals spot

Ari Paevere

Round 16 of the Premier C Men’s competition has solidified the four teams that will compete in the finals. However, the specific order of these top 4 teams remains uncertain with two rounds remaining.

The standout match of the week turned out to be a complete blowout, as the Parkdale Vultures dominated Mazenod, securing their spot in the finals and eliminating Mazenod from contention.

Mazenod had a dismal outing, failing to pose a threat throughout the day. The Vultures steadily expanded their lead at every interval of the game, ultimately emerging victorious with a commanding 62-point lead. Josh Manning and Jarrod Peake each scored three goals for Parkdale in the victory.

Mazenod will lament the missed opportunity, as their season has concluded in an incredibly disappointing manner. On the contrary, the Vultures have extended their impressive winning streak to six matches, confirming their position in the finals with a likely 4th place finish.

The Vultures have demonstrated that they shouldn’t be dismissed from contention, with their victories over formidable opponents highlighting them as one of the most in-form teams of the competition, along with Old Camberwell.

As Parkdale heads into their bye week on a high note, they’ll be met by Old Camberwell on the other side. This sets the stage for an exciting matchup just one week away from the finals.

Speaking of Old Camberwell, they have asserted their dominance over the competition with a significant 22-point victory against Old Ivanhoe. Despite holding only an 8-point lead at three-quarter time, Old Camberwell exhibited control throughout the day.

Impressively, eleven of their twenty-two players contributed at least one goal, highlighting their team-oriented and dominant approach.

The outcome is a major setback for Old Ivanhoe, as securing a top 2 finish has become an uphill battle. They now trail behind second-placed PEGS by one game. Fortunately for them, a showdown in the final round against PEGS could potentially determine the second-place finish.

Meanwhile, Old Camberwell is just one victory away from securing a minor premiership; a highly likely outcome as they face second-to-last Marcellin in the next round.

PEGS easily handled Marcellin this week, securing an 11-goal victory as they strive to solidify their top 2 finish. Jack Fenner’s exceptional performance was evident as he scored 5 goals in the convincing win.

Marcellin remains just one win ahead of the bottom, occupying the 8th spot on the 9-team ladder. Their primary focus now seems to be avoiding relegation, with the bottom team heading to Division 1 for the 2024 season.

Old Carey battled Hampton Rovers in a low-scoring affair in the wet at Carey Sports Complex. The Rovers held a slight advantage at the main break and led by 5 points at the final change in what was a real arm wrestle.

The pressure from both sides stepped up a gear in the final quarter, with Carey hitting the lead before Hampton finished strong with two late goals to seal a 13-point victory and officially avoid relegation. Josh McPherson kicked two goals for the Rovers in a best on ground performance.

With a league-wide bye scheduled for the upcoming weekend, the next round will test three of the top 4 teams against weaker opponents in crucial must-win games. Old Camberwell, PEGS, and Old Ivanhoe all face these challenges with Parkdale having the week off.