Parkdale and AJAX dominate as Premier C Men’s launches in 2024

Raj Johnston

The first round of the Premier C Men’s competition for 2024 had a bit of everything. Big wins, close losses, minimal skill errors, and big bags of goals were all on offer. With many clubs expecting to play finals this season, every round will matter as teams look to make an early statement and show they mean business in 2024.

Relegated from Premier B after a difficult 2023, AJAX began their Premier C season playing away to Marcellin. Both teams were hungry for the ball and the Jackas drew first blood. There were no visible skill deficiencies as both teams brought their best effort.

Marcellin forward Shaun Tyquin kicked their first major of the day as the first quarter was very even with AJAX taking an 8-point lead into quarter time. Marcellin struggled to contain an explosive AJAX outfit who ran away with it in the second and third terms, kicking 10 goals across to Marcellin’s one. The experience of Richie Simon showed on the scoreboard, booting 8 majors off his own boot, contributing 50% of the Jackas total for the day. Despite the best efforts of Marcellin’s young players, AJAX were too good and started their season with a 63 point win.

In what was a close contest for much of the day at Frearson Oval; Old Carey started their season with a win away from home against the Monash Blues. Both sides kept each other at bay throughout the majority of the match, with the margin at each break never higher than six points.

Old Carey went into the last quarter with a handy five point lead and some back and forth scoring saw the scoreboard read 67-70 with five minutes left to play. However, Old Carey finished strong and kicked two late goals to win the match by 15 points.

Star player Trent Warren was amongst the leading goal scorers for Old Carey, matched by Braden Andrews, Lachy Godden and Riley Thompson. Nicholas Darling and Jack Hooper had a good day out for the Blues, each kicking three goals, in what turned out to be the closest match of the round in Premier C.

Mazenod started their season making the trip over the Bolte to take on PEGS. PEGS got off to a flying start, heading into the quarter-time break with a 23-point lead. Mazenod needed a response, and a response was delivered. Mazenod kicked five majors to PEGS’ one in the second term, and carried that momentum throughout the rest of the game.

Mazenod booted five unanswered goals in the last quarter in which PEGS could only manage three behinds, with Mazenod ultimately securing a Round 1 victory by a comfortable 35 points. Among Mazenod’s best players were Mitchel D’Angelo and Shaun Lovell, with Riley Macdonald and Jack Fenner impressing for PEGS.

Parkdale Vultures opened their account with an emphatic win over Glen Eira/Old McKinnon Gryphons at Gerry Green Reserve. Parkdale kept the Gryphons scoreless in the first quarter and continued that pressure throughout the game, dominating all day with almost half of their playing list hitting the scoreboard.

Ex-AFL player and new recruit Mitch Brown debuted in style for the Vultures, booting nine majors. In tough conditions, Nathan Pruscino stood up for Glen Eira and kicked two of their three goals, however, there was little relief for the Gryphons who went down by a massive 173 points in their first game; freshly promoted to Premier C.

Oakleigh’s first game in Premier C saw them travel to Trevor Barker Beach Oval to take on Hampton Rovers. The Rovers had a strong first quarter, leading by 15 points at the break with Oakleigh yet to record a score. Oakleigh lifted in the second quarter and the game become more even.

Whilst Oakleigh won the last quarter, the damage had been done and a 32-point deficit at three-quarter time proved to be too hard to defeat with the Rovers taking away the four points. Some inaccurate kicking from Hampton meant they only finished 26-point victors with a missed opportunity to cause much greater carnage.

Many exciting contests await in Round 2 as teams look to position themselves favourably early in the season.

AJAX will host Old Carey at Princes Park in Caulfield. Both teams are coming off first round wins and will be hoping to keep that momentum going and make a big statement through claiming another four points this Saturday.

Marcellin vs Monash Blues will be an interesting game with both sides searching for their first win, while the Rovers face the red-hot Parkdale Vultures at the Trevor Barker Beach Oval.

Elsewhere, PEGS meet Glen Eira with both teams suffering heavy first round defeats, and Oakleigh will play Mazenod.