Old Geelong continue march up Prem B ladder

Old Geelong’s march up the Premier B Men’s ladder has continued with an eight-point victory over Old Camberwell in difficult conditions at Gordon Barnard Reserve – the OGs’ winning streak now at four games, and their position in fourth shored up by Old Trinity’s defeat of Old Ivanhoe.

After a charmed run with weather to start the season, winter has truly kicked in, with many games across the competition played on boggy ovals in wet and windy conditions – requiring a thirst for contested footy and physicality.

Nathan Brown’s side had a tough task on the road, made even more difficult when the Wellers booted the only three goals of the first term.

In difficult conditions the home side had the run of play, and when Jay Kennedy-Harris kicked his second goal at the 13-minute mark of the final term to put Old Camberwell two goals clear, it appeared the Wellers were in the box seat for their eighth win of the season.

But three goals in six minutes – thanks to Nick Morwood, Nick Freeman and Matt Wallis – saw the OGs turn the game completely, holding fast to win 9.6 (60) to 7.10 (52).

Nathan Brown was ecstatic with his side’s ability to run out the game strongly – a trait the OGs have developed after a few poor finishes earlier in the season

“(It’s) consistency of training from the lads, and then we’ve been pretty consistent in the games,” Brown said. 

“That’s the boys doing their bits and pieces, and little extras that the game requires.”

Brown praised Weller backman Harrison Oliver (14 disposals, 10 intercepts), who was “unreal” on Mickey Nicholls.

Despite a tough loss, the game served plenty of opportunities to teach for Old Camberwell coach Anson Brownless.

“I thought we were in control most of the game, but that’s what good sides do,” he said of Old Geelong’s strong finish.

“Good learnings for us – we’ll go and have a look at that game and see where we need to be..we’ll get a lot out of that, as disappointing as it was”.

James Allen (31 disposals, 12 tackles) and Harry Veitch (28 disposals, eight clearances) continued their strong seasons for the Wellers – Allen cracking the Premier Data ranking points ton for the tenth time this season.

Old Geelong is even on points yet some 16% behind third-placed Old Trinity, which enjoyed some revenge over Old Ivanhoe following a thriller between the two clubs back in Round 4 that fell the Hoers’ way.

With key players including Charlie Beasley and Hugo McGlashan out of the side, the Hoers would have fancied their chances at home, and were within striking distance when Charlie Simonsen kicked a goal to cut Old Trinity’s lead to five points late in the third term.

However, Old Trinity finished strongly, kicking five goals to one in the final term to scoot away 13.16 (94) to 7.10 (52) winners at Chelsworth Park, with Old Ivanhoe reduced to no rotations halfway through the third quarter.

“They didn’t have a bench in the last quarter, which probably explains how it dropped a little bit in our favour,” said Ts coach Donald McDonald.

The wet weekend didn’t spare Chelsworth Park, a contested tackle-fest ensuing with neither squad able to go above 50% efficiency by foot.

“You needed all your troops firing at the end, because everyone was out on their feet. You don’t play in those conditions too often,” McDonald said.

Spencer Barendregt, who has stepped ably into the ruck position without Harry Thompson, was terrific with 52 hitouts while Christos Manoussakis continued a stellar season with 32 disposals (21 contested), eight clearances and eight tackles.

Jarrod Gieschen, counting the injury cost of the game (two concussions, a hand injury to Sam Keogh and a back injury to Mal Mitris), was impressed by McDonald’s group.

“They played the conditions exceptionally well,” he said.

“Credit to them – their kids that came in really stood up.”

Old Haileybury didn’t have their own way over a spirited St Bede’s / Mentone Tigers, which continued its competitive run but ultimately fell short for a third loss of seven points or less in its last five games.

In a heavily contested game, the ball lived in tight, favouring the returning Brede Seccull, excellent with 33 disposals (17 contested) and 10 clearances.

“He’s up there in the top two or three (best players in the competition),” said St Bede’s / Mentone coach Brad Berry of Seccull, praising the 2024 Big V nominee in his battle with Tigers midfield duo Matt Lehpahmer (22 disposals) and Jake Ryder (17 tackles).

The Bloods led by 22 points at half time and were able to hold that margin for much of the second half, but two late goals to St Bede’s Mentone brought back the margin to seven points at full time – the Bloods victorious 5.18 (48) to 5.11 (41).

“They’ve obviously improved, and they’ve been in good form in the last month,” said Old Haileybury coach Daniel Ward.

Ward was forced into nine changes for the game, with prolific goalkickers Andreas Stefanakis (who recently tore apart the VAFA Under 19s Showcase) and Durras Seccull absent.

“Happy to come away with the four points after coming up against a desperate St Bedes / Mentone team.”

To Round 7, the Tigers had lost all their games, with an average losing margin of 48 points. From Round 8 onwards, they’ve secured a win while bringing in its average losing margin to just 13.5 points in an encouraging sign for Brad Berry’s developing group.

Sam Beasley, son of Tigers legend Tim Beasley, made his long-awaited senior debut after a torrid time with injury and a short break from football.

Midfielder/forward Jack Cain also made his debut and was impressive, while a third debutant, teenager Oliver Griffin, kicked two goals and perhaps most impressively backed up for the Under 17s the following day.

Beaumaris led at every change to secure an away win over Caulfield Grammarians at Glen Huntly Park, making a clean break late in the second quarter with a five-goal run that established a 28-point margin.

The Grammarians had a chance late to press the Sharks, but kicked 1.3 from the 19-minute mark to the 26-minute mark of the final term, ultimately falling short 9.8 (62) to 11.10 (76).

In what looms as a battle for seventh position on the ladder, the significantly undermanned Sharks have a game and 5% on Caulfield, undermanned themselves through injuries and absences. 

“That’s probably the most depleted game of B Grade footy I’ve been involved in,” said Sharks coach Josh Bourke.

Of the young Sharks who have stepped up, Nate Dear (older brother of Hawthorn’s Calsher) has been excellent, and booted his fourth haul of three goals this season.

“He’s done a really super job this year in difficult circumstances,” Bourke said.

Guy McKenna is in much the same boat regarding player availability, and was impressed by his young group’s endeavour.

“We had six fellas over the age of 20…you can’t fault the boys’ effort at all, they give all they’ve got,” he said.

“That’s what you expect of a side to have so much youth in it.”

Young ruck Harvey Dawson – “as raw as a greyhound’s dinner,” says McKenna – was promising despite the tough assignment of Cal Heath, while Jared Freeman has found a home in Caulfield’s midfield rotation.

“(He’s) quickly becoming a very good inside and outside midfielder – they don’t grow on trees, those blokes,” said McKenna.

Finally, De La Salle overcame muddy conditions and a determined Williamstown CYMS, breaking free in the third quarter to win 12.9 (81) to 7.7 (49) in a contest that didn’t match the scoreboard.

A talented contested side, the CYs had the early ascendancy in the clinches and led at the first break, before De La Salle gained control of the match in the second quarter to take a slender lead into half time.

De La kicked two goals in the first six minutes of the second half to establish a three-goal advantage, adding another major to create a 24-point buffer that proved too difficult to haul back.

Season 2024 has typically provided sunny Saturdays; not so in East Malvern last Saturday.

“The ground was a bogheap, it was wet, it was windy,” said De La coach Nick Hyland.

“It wasn’t pretty footy…I said it to the boys in the pre-game: we can’t have what we’ve had every week.”

Hyland’s unit were hyper-efficient despite the conditions, kicking 8.1 across the middle quarters, and were able to force a muddy, waterlogged football into dangerous scoring positions.

“(Scoring efficiency) we’ve really focused on over the last six weeks,” Hyland said.

Fraser Cameron recorded 23 disposals and nine clearances to go with his two goals, while Lachie Gawel – “the cleanest player on the ground in the first half,” according to Hyland – snagged three goals from his 16 disposals.

CYs coach Con Terzoglou was left to rue his side’s slow starts to quarters, marring an otherwise strong, physical performance.

“We conceded five goals within the first five minutes of the first, second and third quarters combined,” he said.

There was nominal difference in the contested game – De La recording seven more contested possessions while the CYs had three more clearances – but the home squad was able to rack up 25 more uncontested marks and scored seven of its 12 goals from marks inside 50, as compared to two goals from seven.

“We were inside 50 (enough), but could not score,” Terzoglou said.

The CYs host Old Haileybury this week at Fearon Reserve where Terzoglou’s squad will be hard to beat, while De La have a date with Old Trinity at Daley Oval in what looms as the key clash of Round 13.

Look for St Bede’s / Mentone to continue its improvement when it hosts Old Ivanhoe at Brindisi Street, and for Old Geelong to attempt to secure its fifth consecutive win against Caulfield Grammarians at Como Park.

After a Round 3 thriller saw Beaumaris defeat Old Camberwell by five points, Anson Brownless’ team will be keen to respond at Banksia Reserve, the Wellers needing a win to keep in touch with the finals race.