Crackerjack contest looms as Bloods, Ts continue winning ways

Old Trinity’s fourth consecutive win has set up an enticing one-v-two clash with Old Haileybury as the Premier B season approaches a two-week pause.

With just one win spanning second to sixth on the ladder there’s barely any margin for error at the top of the table – with only Old Haileybury (a game clear in first with a healthy percentage of 150.48%) able to drop a game yet be sure of holding their position.

Old Trinity, in second spot, were challenged by a plucky St Bedes/Mentone Tigers which, despite their winless record, has impressed in the last few weeks, falling agonisingly short in games against De La Salle and Williamstown CYMS.

“I thought they’d improved enormously from the first time we played them,” Old Trinity coach Donald McDonald said.

Despite a +28 inside 50 advantage to Trinity, both sides booted five goals to the long break at Mentone Reserve, consistent midfielder Josh Cowan racking up 20 of his 34 disposals in the first half alone – along with a cracking long-range goal from the boundary.

But a seven-goal-to-four third quarter had the visitors 17 points clear at the final break, a buffer they built upon in the final term to run out 17.14 (116) to 12.12 (84) victors.

Hugh Beasley (five goals) and Dom Payman (three) led the charge for Old Trinity, while Tom Wenn was dominant with 33 disposals and nine clearances.

McDonald was impressed by his side’s ability to stand up when challenged, the Ts finishing strongly with 12 goals to seven after half time.

“I was really happy for us to be behind and come back,” he said, while lauding ruck Spencer Barendregt (19 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 9 clearances, 27 hitouts) on another strong performance.

After a torrid run from Round 2 to Round 7 where the Tigers lost every game by an average of 53 points, there’s green shoots for Brad Berry’s youthful group – with 16 players of the side on Saturday under the age of 22, ten of those under 19s-qualified.

“The young group that I had earlier in the season – once they got us early in that third quarter, that would have been a 70- or 80-point defeat,” Berry said.

“The improvement is there, yes we want to win…the challenge is going to be to keep pushing the education into them for the rest of the season”.

19-year-old Sandringham Dragon Max Hoult – an exciting prospect who was in the mix for last month’s mid-season draft – made his St Bedes/Mentone debut and kicked two goals, while athletic forward Jack Behnk continued his impressive season with three majors.

Speaking of impressive seasons, Old Haileybury has now peeled off eight straight wins after its 0-2 start to 2024, accounting for Beaumaris in a low-scoring game in Caulfield South.

With injured pair Brede Seccull and Jack Bell unavailable, Big V nominee Brodie Steele (33 disposals and nine marks) and Josh Gasparini (36 disposals, ten clearances) starred, while Charlton Harrop was mighty with 22 disposals, 12 marks and four goals.

But aside from Harrop, the Bloods found it difficult to apply serious scoreboard pressure in the 8.14 (62) to 6.6 (42) win, thanks to a Sharks backline that conceded just eight goals from a whopping 70 Old Haileybury inside 50s.

After five goals last week, James Magner was kept to one major, while spearhead Durras Seccull was kept goalless for the first time this season by a brilliant Cal Linehan (23 disposals, 22 intercepts, 11 one percenters).

“He was brilliant, he’s back to his defensive best,” said Sharks assistant coach Justin Wilson, while Spencer McLennan (30 disposals, eight rebound 50s) was also crucial.

Old Haileybury coach Daniel Ward was pleased with his team’s ability to wrest back control of the game after a contested first half, the Bloods recording 15 scoring shots to seven after the long break.

“The ability to hang in there and get it on our terms was pleasing in the end.”

Brede Seccull, who will miss this Saturday’s clash with Old Trinity with a finger injury, will still be able to push his case for Big V selection with a trip to Perth looming next weekend.

“I can’t vouch for Brede anymore,” said Ward of his gun midfielder.

“The (Big V squad) midfield is stacked…the higher the level of footy, the more he’ll excel.”

As for this weekend’s critical match-up with Old Trinity, the Bloods coach cannot wait.

“It’ll be a tough challenge…we’ll be putting all our eggs into this basket and trying to get the win”.

Should Old Haileybury defeat Old Trinity this Saturday, Old Ivanhoe will be waiting in the wings to snatch up second spot after saluting in a clash with fellow Premier C graduate Old Camberwell.

The Hoers, equal on 28 points with the Ts yet some 25 percentage points in arrears, broke free from the Wellers thanks to a five-goal run spanning from the 12-minute mark of the third term to the 12-minute mark of the fourth, securing a 12.11 (89) to 9.5 (59) win at Gordon Barnard Reserve.

Somewhat remarkably, the Hoers are now 6-0 on the road this year, having only won one of their four games at home – Round 3 v St Bedes/Mentone.

In alignment with trends in the AFL, both the Hoers and Wellers deployed taggers in the midfield last Saturday, Old Ivanhoe’s Harrison Reid going to Jimmy Allen while Billy Murphy received plenty of attention from Old Camberwell’s Thomas Oliver at stoppages.

“Jimmy still had his 20-or-so touches, (but) ‘Harro’ (Reid) probably curbed his influence,” said Old Ivanhoe coach Jarrod Gieschen.

Oliver was named Old Camberwell’s best, but Gieschen was impressed by Billy Murphy’s ability to deal with the tag.

“‘Murph’ was outstanding for us, the way he worked through the tag and ran all day,” said Giechen, with Murphy able to gather 29 disposals and kick two goals.

Next week’s clash with Old Geelong back at Chelsworth Park sees more than just four points up for grabs, with club icon Mal Mitris to celebrate his 200th game for the club.

His sister Lexi has been the longtime club physio, while his father Vic is a regular at club lunches – and Mal won’t exactly be unfamiliar with the fanfare that comes with the occasion, having come out of retirement to play in the run to Old Ivanhoe’s 2023 Premier C flag.

“They’re just a great family around our footy club – it’s more about Mal and the support around him that we’ll go and recognise,” said Giechen.

Liam Thomas was “a shining light” for the Wellers, according to coach Anson Brownless, booting four goals from his 11 disposals

“Whenever he’s come in, he’s made an impact,” Brownless said.

Old Camberwell will need to secure a win over the CYs at Fearon Reserve to stay within the chasing pack of clubs on six wins, which has proved to be a challenging trip in recent weeks.

Williamstown CYMS will be out to respond after falling away after half time at Como Park, Old Geelong kicking 11 goals to two after half time to win 17.9 (111) to 8.2 (50).

It was the third term that did the damage, the OGs holding the CYs to 33 disposals, 13 marks and 6 inside 50s in a dominant half-an-hour of football in which they kicked 6.2 (38) to 1.0 (6).

“We connected so well with our forwards, and they converted,” said coach Nathan Brown.

Three of Matt Wallis’ four goals came in that third quarter, while Connor Dixon (three goals), Harrison Kol (27 disposals, two goals) and Sam Barnett (26 disposals, two goals) caused trouble for Williamstown.

Playing on the expanses of Como Park was a challenge for a CYs side adept at the contest yet developing the ability to successfully manage the uncontested side of the game.

“They’re a fantastic outside team…they’re a very ball-hungry side,” said coach Con Terzoglou.

“That’s probably not our natural game.”

Zac Provest continued his super year, punting four goals, while Zayne Galea presented strongly in a new role up forward, having been deployed down back for much of the season.

Finally, De La Salle coach Nick Hyland was spared the stress of another nailbiter, his side cantering home to defeat Caulfield Grammarians 16.19 (115) to 8.4 (52).

De La led by 31 points at the final break yet piled on 8.3 (51) to 3.1 (19) in the final term for its largest win of the season – and only the second result since Round 5 that hasn’t been decided by ten points or fewer.

“It was a strange feeling late in the game when it wasn’t up for grabs!” said Hyland.

“I hope (the close games) hold us in good stead – we’ve been in those positions and learned some good things along the way.”

Christian Algeri led an even spread of goalkickers with three, while Thomas Filipovic was best afield.

De La takes on Beaumaris this weekend at Banksia Reserve – where Hyland’s squad secured “the best win of the season” in Round 9 last year, doing enough to hold off the Sharks late to win by nine points.

“The ground holds no fears,” Hyland said.

Caulfield takes on St Bedes/Mentone at home, Old Ivanhoe hosts Old Geelong, Williamstown CYMS faces Old Camberwell and Old Trinity takes on Old Haileybury in a game that promises to shape the top spots of the ladder.