Premier C is like a box of chocolates: you don’t know what you’ll get

Raj Johnston

Premier C Men’s continues to throw surprises at you left, right and centre. Whilst there weren’t as many blowouts this week, some surprise results and standout performances mean this section is well and truly alive.

AJAX continued their positive start to 2024 with a 74-point win over Old Carey. AJAX set the standard across the day, with a 48-point deficit at half-time proving too much for Old Carey to overcome as AJAX continued to build throughout the second half of the match. It was a good day to be a forward with Richie Simon and Toby Sheezel booting seven and five majors respectively. It wasn’t all negative for Old Carey as Mitchell Wooffindin, Riley Thompson and Luca Anderson had impressive games despite their defeat. The win sees AJAX sitting on top of the ladder with a comfortable percentage. No doubt oppositions will be nervous facing this club who are eager to prove themselves after dropping down from Premier B.

Marcellin had a good day out on their home turf, defeating the Monash Blues by 33 points. After a heavy defeat at the hands of AJAX last week, Marcellin managed to re-ignite themselves with good energy developed amongst the group in the pre-season, to claim their first win in 2024. Monash kicked two late goals to finish the game, however the damage had been done, with Marcellin’s Jack Pekin starring with six goals and vice-captain Matthew Capetola, amongst the best players for Marcellin. Nicholas Darling did his job up forward for Monash, yet Marcellin’s fast start proved to be too much to conquer.

After both suffering first-round defeats, PEGS and Glen Eira/Old McKinnon had a point to prove at the PEGS Playing Fields. Ultimately, it was the home side who banked the four points with PEGS walking away 28-point winners. Trailing by 16-points heading into the last quarter, Glen Eira had a shot at turning the scoreline around, however three early goals to PEGS put an end to those hopes. Jack Fenner had a brilliant day out for PEGS, kicking eight goals, with three of those coming in the last term as Fenner put his foot on the accelerator. Nicholas Mavropoulos and Lachlan Mirams provided some respite for Glen Eira, and whilst the Gryphons showed some fightback in the third quarter, they couldn’t match PEGS’ fast scoring.

After a dominant Round 1 display, Parkdale Vultures’ fortunes flipped as they went down to the Hampton Rovers by 28 points. The Rovers would’ve been within their rights to fear this contest given Parkdale’s obliteration of Glen Eira last week, but to Hampton’s credit, they held their own and improved as the game continued to take home the four points. After a trilogy of behinds, the Vultures kicked two goals later in the first quarter to take an 8-point lead to the quarter-time break. Hampton responded well, kicking five goals in the next two terms to Parkdale’s one, perhaps with a greater lead if not for some inaccurate kicking. Three late goals to Hampton saw them comfortably get over the line at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.

Oakleigh’s number one ticket holder Steve Dimopoulos MP tossed the coin to begin this match, however the presence of their local member could not get Oakleigh over the line as they lost to Mazenod by 43 points. Whilst the first quarter was tight, Mazenod raced out of the blocks in the second quarter, kicking four consecutive goals at two different stages of this quarter, which set them up for a successful second half. Fletcher Ford and Shaun Lovell each kicked three goals for Mazenod, whilst Luke Ashen stood up for Oakleigh, kicking four majors. Mazenod’s James Little’s senior debut was one for him remember to as his side got their second consecutive win to start their season on the right note.

Round 3 sees some interesting match-ups with teams looking to continue their early season dominance, or in the case of others, record a much needed first win of the season.

The Hampton Rovers hit the road for the first time this season, taking on the Monash Blues at Frearson Oval at the earlier start-time of 12.30pm. Monash will be looking to join the winner’s list whilst Hampton will be keen to continue their positive start in this competitive section.

Three games commence in unison at 2.00pm. Old Carey host Mazenod at Carey’s Sports Complex, whilst PEGS host Ajax at home, and the Parkdale Vultures will meet Oakleigh at Scammell Reserve, three big-match ups which wil have implications on the ladder.

The late game on Saturday sees Glen Eira/Old McKinnon host Marcellin at Packer Park, kicking off at 4.40pm. After their success in Division 1 last year, Glen Eira will be keen to show Marcellin that they belong in Premier C.