New flag favourite in William Buck Premier Men’s?

After knocking off the Top 2 teams in the past fortnight, have the Cardinals become the premiership favourites in the top-flight?

Old Scotch made it 8 straight wins and added the scalp of St Kevin’s to last week’s triumph over Old Brighton with an extremely impressive 8-goal win at TH King Oval.

It was their first victory over SKOB since returning to Premier Men’s in 2018, ending a run of 9 consecutive losses to a team that has owned them and it couldn’t have been much more emphatic as they extended their advantage at every change.

St Kevin’s won the clearance battle but Old Scotch controlled the game post-clearance with relentless pressure that forced SKOB into turnovers which the Cards capitalised on.

Old Scotch also controlled the skies, dominating contested marks and, despite the absence of spearhead James Tarrant, were more efficient Inside 50 with 5 multiple goalscorers, including Ryan Valentine, Will Clark & Angus Symons all booting 3 apiece.

The win closes the gap to just half-a-game between SKOB & the Cards as the premiership race continues to tighten.

Mark Gnatt (Old Scotch): “It was a really even team performance across the ground. Our ability to work together and defend the ground and put pressure on the opposition was most pleasing.

“Dougie Lawrence and Charlie Cormack were outstanding in defence and Matty Bennett played an important role for us at full-back. Will Clark continued his good form and our forward line was well led by Ryan Valentine as the small forwards got to work with their pressure at ground level and on the scoreboard.”

Anthony Lynch (St Kevin’s): “Scotch were outstanding from first minute to the final siren. All respect to Gnatty and their group – they taught us a lesson in the intensity required to be a contender.

“Our boys were surprisingly flat across the board and we struggled to have one winner on the day. It’s a rare performance from this group, so we will back them in to turn it around but we will also reward blokes who are prepared to dig in when things are not going their way.”

The upset of the weekend saw University Blacks post a fantastic victory over a red-hot Old Xaverians that had won 4 straight, including a 99-point demolition of Uni Blues last week.

Xavs got away to a bright start, booting the first 3 goals before Blacks responded with a couple in time-on to get some return for their efforts and settle into the contest.

The visitors’ confidence & belief continued to grow as they added 4 goals to 1 in the second term to lead by 13 points at the major break before Matthew Grocott extended it with the opening goal of the third quarter.

Xavs hit back as expected with quick goals to Ed Delany & Alex Spralja before the game evolved into a defensive struggle that saw Blacks grind out two more majors (including one to Louis Vescio in his 100^th game) to re-establish a 16-point three-quarter time lead.

The hosts weren’t done yet and reduced the margin back to single digits via a Jack Hewitt goal. 3 consecutive behinds brought the margin within a kick before Harry Broderick’s goal at the 13-minute mark gave Blacks some breathing room.

Sam Ralph made it a one-goal game again at the 24-minute mark as Xavs desperately threw everything at the Blacks defence (17 Inside 50s to 6 in final quarter).

But it was Uni Blacks hanging on for a thrilling 7-point win that elevates them a game-and-a-half above the relegation zone.

Dale Bower (Uni Blacks): “Our players came prepared to bring great effort and pressure. We wanted to ensure we played the right way to honour Lou Vescio’s 100th game for the Blacks. We stuck at it all day. I am very proud of them.”

Dan Donati (Old Xavs): “Really disappointing day in the end. Firstly, credit to Blacks for the game they brought – thoroughly deserved the win.

“We were a little off in the first half and struggled to connect, and from there just couldn’t execute when we had the chance, and we had plenty of them.

“I felt it was a game of errors from us and after a great month or so, we’ve let a winnable game slip. So, now it’s on the boys to regroup to find our best football for the final run home.”

That slip from Xavs opened the door for Collegians to close the gap in the race for fourth if they could get over University Blues at Melbourne Uni Oval.

The teams went goal-for-goal early before the Lions got on top in time-on, booting 3 goals in 7 minutes to open up a 14-point quarter-time lead.

But the Blues hit back superbly as they started to find their rhythm and confidence, kicking the first 3 goals to snatch the lead midway through the second term before the reigning premiers flexed their muscle in time-on, unleashing a withering burst that delivered an incredible 5 goals in 6 minutes.

The champs were up and rolling, adding a further 6 goals to 2 in the third quarter to blow the game wide open before the Blues kicked the only 3 goals of the last term to reduce the final margin to 28 points.

Collegians are back in the hunt for fourth, drawing level with Xavs on 36 points. Both teams must face Old Brighton & Old Scotch in the final 3 weeks, with Xavs to visit St Bernard’s in the next round while the Lions will host Fitzroy in the final round. Could it come down to percentage?

Jordie McKenzie (Collegians): “The first half was a tight contest and we were able to gain some dominance late in the second quarter. Our midfield led the way and we got some damaging looks from clearance.

“We were able to keep up a strong brand of footy in the third before a stalemate in the last. It was a very pleasing result and great reward for effort.

“Will Dean had a huge task in the ruck and was terrific all day. Ben Darrou was instrumental down back, while Josh Walker and Jasper Davy continued their terrific years. Dyl Thomas was good all day and lit the team up in the third. Alex Lukic got good reward for his hard work with 4 goals.”

Guy Martyn (Uni Blues): “Collegians kicked five goals between the 22 and 28-minute mark of the second quarter after I felt we were on top of the game. This six-minute period proved to be the difference.

“Other than that, it was a very even game and I was pleased with how we played.”

It was a massive game in the race to avoid relegation as Old Melburnians hosted Fitzroy at Elsternwick Park.

It was a must-win game for the Roys in particular and they came out of the blocks like a team playing for survival as they racked up an incredible 20 Inside 50s to 3 in the opening term to lead by 25 points at the first break.

OMs settled into the game in the second quarter and began to eat into that deficit, booting 3 goals to 1 and reducing the half-time margin to a more manageable 14 points, then to single digits with a goal to Sam Laube early in the third term.

The next 20 minutes saw the margin hover around the teens with OMs getting on top in the contest and able to stabilise their supply issues. But the Roys surged again in time-on, booting 3 goals in 3.5 minutes to break the game open and head to the last change with a handy 23-point lead.

OMs opened the final term with 4 consecutive behinds before 2 goals in 2 minutes to Jarrod Lienert and Sam Laube got them back within 9 points midway through the quarter and the comeback looked to be on.

But Fitzroy dug in and despite conceding 16 Inside to 8 in the final term, managed to hold OMs off for their first-ever Premier Men’s away win.

It’s a victory that keeps their hopes of remaining in the top tier alive, now just half a game behind OMs and one game behind St Bernard’s with 3 to play.

Travis Ronaldson (Fitzroy): “A good game of footy in great conditions at Elsternwick Park. Both sides had their moments with some impressive ball movement in a high-standard contest.

“We were pleased with the way we started the game and were able to build a small buffer by three-quarter time which we needed after a couple of injuries led to us running out of gas late.

“I was super proud of the group and our effort and willingness to work hard all day. It keeps us in the hunt and looking forward to the final three rounds. Darcy Lowrie was exceptional all day and Nathan Ligris was suburb across half back.”

Paul Satterley (OMs): “Fitzroy gave themselves a great platform in the first quarter which meant we chased all day to close the lead. We knew if they were afforded space they would be very capable on offence & that’s exactly what unfolded.

“We gave ourselves every chance in the final 30 minutes however 8 shots for 3.5 just didn’t cut it.

“Our defenders are in good shape, with Wundke leading the way. Will Dethridge did a great negating job whilst Ben Harding did his best in the middle.

“Looks like a fight between the three bottom clubs to stay up.”

The third club in that relegation mix is St Bernard’s, who gave Old Brighton an early scare at Brighton Beach Oval.

The Snowdogs jumped the Tonners early, kicking 4 of the first 5 goals before the league-leaders booted 3 goals in 4 minutes entering time-on to get back within a point at the first break.

Brighton’s efficiency up forward was on show in the second & third terms as they booted 10.2 to 5.9 despite having 2 fewer Inside 50s across the middle quarters.

That finishing polish set up a 22-point three-quarter time lead which the Tonners blew out when they took complete territorial control in the last term – 15 Inside 50s to 5 generating 6 goals to 1 and what turned out to be a relatively comfortable 57-point win.

SKOB’s loss re-establishes Old Brighton’s 6-point lead at the top of the table, while Fitzroy’s win keeps the pressure on the Snowdogs, who are half-a-game clear of OMs and a game clear of the Roys.

Marcel Bruin (Old Brighton): “Really important win against a dangerous side who came to play. Bernard’s served it up to us and showed us the work rate we needed to have to compete.

“Our mids got to work, with Sam Flockhart providing good service and effort. Backs tightened up and the forwards connected throughout the day. Jonah Campigli was super again, Alfie Jarnestrom controlled the wings and Campbell Tweedie defended and created good offense.”

Steve Alessio (St Bernard’s): “Once again we showed some really good signs in the first 3 quarters of the game. Our inaccuracy in front of goals didn’t allow us to capitalise on a lot of our good work to create those scoring opportunities.

“On the other hand, our players got a close-up look at a team that uses the ball well and was super efficient in front of goals. Old Brighton’s consistency across 4 quarters was hard to match.

“As a group we will reload, freshen up some players, hopefully get a few back from the sidelines and look to play our best football in the run home.”

PREMIER MEN’S has a BYE this coming weekend, with Round 16 scheduled for Saturday August 24.