The Tonners keep rolling in William Buck Premier Men’s

Old Brighton have continued their perfect start to 2024, while the reigning premiers have moved up to second after Round 6.

OLD BRIGHTON controlled their top of the table clash with OLD SCOTCH at Brighton Beach Oval.

The Tonners were on top from the outset, winning the inside battle and controlling territory to boot the first 4 goals and open up a 21-point quarter time lead.

The second term delivered more of the same, the ladder-leaders kicking the only 3 goals of the quarter to hold a commanding 37-point advantage at the major break – the second-placed Cardinals held to just one first-half goal.

They managed to get the scoreboard ticking a little more in the third term, adding 3 goals as they started to explore avenues through the Tonners’ defence. But, despite having lost a couple of players to injury, the home side added 4 of their own, heading into the final quarter with a comfortable 46-point lead.

Old Scotch kept fighting and managed to bring some respectability to the scoreboard with 6 goals to 3, but the damage had well and truly been done – the Tonners improving their record to 6-and-0 with a statement win over a potential challenger, while the Cardinals slide from second to fourth.

Marcel BRUIN (Old Brighton): “A good win against good opposition. We had some challenges with rotations and credit to the group for being able to operate under duress.

Defensively we worked really hard to limit their ball movement and that created scoring opportunity. The skipper Harry HILL was outstanding again and ultimately, we had even contribution across all lines when we were a couple of men down.”

Mark GNATT (Old Scotch): “Old Brighton showed why they are the benchmark of the competition. They applied a high level of pressure to create turnovers and then capitalised. We started to get our game going in the second half and finished the match strongly, however, it was too little too late.

The BROWN Brothers – Jack and Henry both performed their roles well and Alex NOBLETT worked hard on his wing throughout the day. We had another debutant in James HARKER, which was a great reward for his effort in the U/19 program the past few seasons.”

——————

Reigning premiers COLLEGIANS have snatched Old Scotch’s second spot after a powerful second half saw them career away from ST BERNARDS at Harry Trott Oval to post their fourth straight win.

Neither team could get the scoreboard moving early, with just 1.4 kicked in the opening term – all by the Lions.

The game opened up in the second quarter as both teams starting piling on the goals – a combined 13 for the term – Collegians heading to the major break with a 6-point lead in what had suddenly become a free-flowing contest.

The third term was largely goal-for-goal until the reigning champs booted a couple in time-on to open up a 14-point break, before blowing the game wide open with their best football of the season, slamming on 8 final-quarter goals to 2 to secure a percentage-boosting 55-point win.

Skipper Sam HIBBINS celebrated his 200^th game in style, with 26 disposals and 3 goals – one of 4 Lions to boot 3 as they found their offensive mojo for the first time this season. Ben OVERMAN finished with 26 touches and 3 goals in another eye-catching display for St Bernards.

Jordie McKENZIE (Collegians): “A tough contest that ended up opening up in the last quarter when we were able to get on top around the contest, use our hands, and generate some deep entries.

Credit to St Bernards, they were very strong around the footy, and generated plenty of scores from the middle.

It was great to get the result for our warrior skipper Sam HIBBINS, in his 200th game. Sam was busy around the footy and also went forward and got his just reward with 3 goals. Josh WALKER played his best game for the club, with his class shining through across the 4 quarters.”

Steve ALESSIO (St Bernards): “Our boys fought hard today but unfortunately could not counter the slick ball movement of Collegians.

Our depth is really being tested at the moment with injuries. But on the flip side, being able to play 5 U19s players in our side so far this season will help us in the long run.”

—————-

OLD MELBURNIANS snapped their 4-game losing streak in fine style, with a critical, confidence-building win over UNIVERSITY BLACKS at Elsternwick Park that has lifted them off the bottom of the ladder and moved them back within a game of the Top 4.

OMs controlled the opening term but didn’t take full toll on the scoreboard, booting 3.6 to lead by 10 points at the first change. Two goals apiece in the second quarter saw the game delicately balanced at the half – the home team holding a 9-point advantage.

The third term proved to be the decisive one as Old Melburnians found their rhythm, kicking 4 goals to 1 to motor away to a 29-point lead at the final break. That was extended to 36 points with the opening goal of the last quarter before Uni Blacks finally got some offence going.

They kicked the final 4 goals of the game, including 2 in 90 seconds midway through time-on that brought a little discomfort to nervous OM fans. But in the end, it was the home team posting their second victory with a 12-point win that breathes life back into their campaign.

Paul SATTERLEY (Old Melburnians): “We put together a four-quarter performance against a super combative team who are very difficult to score against. Very proud of all our lads for an even contribution across the ground.  Will NICHOLS, Ben HARDING & Jackson PAINE were all standouts.”

Dale BOWER (Uni Blacks): “We were beaten around the contest consistently. OM’s also applied very good pressure. We could not match them in either area.”

——————-

ST KEVIN’S received a mighty scare from a plucky FITZROY before ultimately collecting the points at TH King Oval.

The first half was a defensive struggle – just 5 goals kicked as the hosts clung to 5-point lead at the major break.

Goals to Patrick KERR & Sam TUCKER saw SKOB open up a 15-point advantage midway through the third team, but just as it appeared as though they may be about to break the game open, momentum shifted and the visitors upped the ante.

3 goals in 4 minutes saw the Roys hit the front and they headed to the last change with a 3-point advantage, full of belief that they could win back-to-back Premier Men’s matches for the first time.

Kerr’s second major handed SKOB the lead in the opening seconds of the final term, before Julian TURNER put Fitzroy back in front 4 minutes later. St Kevin’s missed 4 consecutive scoring opportunities which levelled the game up before they found their radar to boot 3 goals in 6 minutes entering time-on.

The Roys slotted a late one, but the upset was not to be. SKOB getting the job done with a hard-fought 12-point win that cements their place in the Top 3.

Anthony LYNCH (St Kevin’s): “It won’t be a game to watch back but we found a way to win against a very honest Fitzroy group. They play the game the right way and for each other, so full respect to them.

They never allowed us to get our game going. We were behind late and our boys really stood up in the final 15 mins to ensure a victory on a special day for our captain Sam CRITCHLEY’S milestone. So in the end we are very happy to get the win – albeit we have plenty of things to work on.”

Travis RONALDSON (Fitzroy): “Endeavour and effort were outstanding for four quarters against a good side. We gave ourselves a chance to win the game – just need to work on our polish and moving the footy between the arcs.

Nathan LIGRIS (36 disposals, 10 Rebound 50s) set up a lot of play across half back and Jack McKAY was influential around the ground.”

————————–

The final match of the round was a rare Sunday fixture as UNIVERSITY BLUES hosted OLD XAVERIANS at Melbourne University Oval.

Old Xavs entered the game keen to snap a 2-game losing streak, while the Blues were hunting their third straight win.

But the visitors couldn’t find their range in the first half, kicking 10 consecutive behinds from late in the opening term to late in the second. Both teams generated 12 scoring shots to the main break, but it was the Blues leading by 20 points due to their superior conversion – 6.6 to 2.10.

Fortunately for Xavs, they straightened up in the third quarter, booting 5.1 to 1.2 as Charlie MacISAAC took control with 3 goals to hand his team the lead in time-on.

The final quarter was as frustrating for the Blues as the first half had been for Xavs – the home team squandering their opportunities to win the game with 0.4 as the visitors added an extra 3 majors to run out 19-point winners and join the Blues outside the Top 4 on percentage at 3-and-3.

Dan DONATI (Old Xavs): “A tough game played in challenging and tough conditions. Both sides boxed it out, and after a pretty wasteful first half with Blues taking the early points, I was really pleased with our ability to take the chances on offer in the second half.

To hold them to 1 goal after half time was a fantastic team performance and that was most pleasing. The duel in the ruck between Hayes and Spralja was worth the watch, and big goals and moments from Charlie MacIsaac stood out on the day. Just a super team performance against a really good side on their home deck.”

Guy MARTYN (Uni Blues): “A very even, hard-fought contest in the first half with some inaccuracy from Xavier perhaps making the scoreline a little misleading.

After half time though, it was a different story. Xavier were simply too strong in all facets of the game. They beat us in the contest, turned us over when we did win possession and managed to score against us. A really disappointing second half.”