Uni Blues issue a statement victory, as De La endure heartbreak

Fresh off the competition-wide bye, a handful of teams in the Holmesglen Under 19 Men’s competition are beginning to make moves and impose themselves upon the league. After a much-needed week off, players and coaches across the competition have taken the opportunity to rest, recalibrate and prepare for the second half of the season.

Round 10 would see footy return in mesmerising fashion, a Round, rich with exhilarating contests and memorable performances.

The opening matchup of the round saw an early-morning contest between an established Old Scotch and a steadily building Williamstown CYMS outfit. Controlling the game from the outset, Old Scotch shot out to an initial 23-point buffer.

Maintaining the lead for a majority of the contest, Williamstown battled hard to reel the lead in to a manageable 15 points heading into the final quarter. Ultimately, it would be the class of Old Scotch that would shine through, weathering the late Williamstown attack to conclude the game as 20-point victors.

Matthew Mayes was enormous throughout the contest for Scotch, with Finn Nankervis providing strong run. Sammy Vidor also impressed, whilst James Davies led all goalkickers, finishing with three majors.

Continuing their impressive form, Old Scotch have now moved into second position, and prove to be legitimate contenders heading into the backend of the season.

For Williamstown, Xavier Snelling was named best afield, with strong performances coming from Andreas Martinez, Jack Billington and Noah Hannaford.

Later in the schedule, Old Brighton showcased their strength, powering past Caulfield Grammarians to win by 93 points. A hard-fought opening term from both sides resulted in a first-quarter lead to Brighton, Caulfield’s defensive unit under heavy fire early.

The floodgates would soon open, the ladder leaders piling on a flurry of goals to reach the final siren as resounding victors. A thoroughly dominant display throughout the remainder of the contest, Old Brighton would continue their winning ways to remain two games clear atop the ladder standings.

Cooper Dowe, Thomas Marriott, Mason Szonyi, Ryan McKenzie and Sam Litis were pivotal in the win, whilst Zachary Bowen ended his day with five majors.

Another matchup of Round 10 saw Beaumaris fall to a stunning St Kevin’s outfit at Banksia reserve. Requiring a victory to remain within top four contention, SKOB dominated from the opening bounce, leading at every break to register a commanding 44-point win.

Conor Lynch was spectacular in the win, whilst Sam Jones, Liam Edwards, Xavier Duke, Ben Cantwell and Roshan Fernandes performed strongly.

Another loss for Beaumaris sees the Sharks linger in the bottom half of the ladder. Aiden McCarthy impressed on the day, whilst Mitchell Davidson continued his form.

The first of the Saturday afternoon matchups would see University Blues continue their red-hot form to down Old Xaverians and stamp their newly-found authority upon the competition.

Trailing by two goals at the conclusion of the first quarter, the Blues would soon stun their opposition, piling on a barrage of goals to snatch the lead back. The Blues would continue this trend, overpowering the Old Xaverians comprehensively to rampage home and record an upset 63-point victory.

Dominance personified, the Blues would make the might of Old Xavs look feeble, kicking ten goals to three in the second half.  A true team effort, the Blues had a whopping 11 differing goal kickers, William Furphy heading that list with four goals.

Carl Ziebarth was also outstanding, as well as George McCulloch, Jack Anderson, Luca Di Lallo and Henry Meggitt.

For Old Xavs, the loss means that they have now relinquished second position on the ladder, falling back with the pack of teams fighting it out for a finals spot. Ed Dalton, Fred Visentini and Tom Bourne shone in the loss.

The very best matchup of the round would be saved for last, as St Bedes/Mentone Tigers edged past De La Salle to win by a single point. Winless throughout the year, De La Salle looked destined to notch up their first win of season 2024. A last gasp from St Bedes/Mentone would prove to be their undoing.

An exhilarating contest that simply had it all, SBM trailed at every single quarter break, mounting a last quarter comeback to break De La Salle hearts. It was James Harper who led the way for De La, whilst Anthony Liakakos and Joshua Stewart also toiled hard.

Cooper Donnellan, Oliver Griffin and Flynn Groves were vital in the orchestration of the last quarter comeback, setting up timely goals. With the miracle win, the Tigers remain in touch with the upper echelon of the ladder standings, and are poised to make a play at the top four.

A breathtaking weekend of football and the race to finals is still wide open. Next week’s round proves to hold a handful of matchups which will have drastic repercussions…

Old Scotch will do battle with Old Xaverians in a headline matchup that will pit two heavyweight sides against each other.

St Kevin’s will look to continue their winning ways against ladder-leaders Old Brighton, whilst Caulfield Grammarians will face Uni Blues in a cutthroat contest that will have intense ramifications for each side’s season ambitions.

De La Salle will look to register their first win against the out of form Beaumaris, and Williamstown CYMS will face St Bedes/Mentone Tigers in an intriguing bout.