Ajax flex while the newly promoted find their feet

Round 1 of the Premier C Men’s competition produced three two-score results, in a thrilling opening slate for the division.

The weekend was destined to be headlined by the Beaumaris and St Bedes/Mentone Tigers clash, and those in attendance at Banksia Reserve were treated to a match that lived up to the billing.

In the latest instalment of their rivalry, the Tigers were victorious, outpointing Beaumaris 12.8 (80) to 10.16 (76), with Tigers coach Brad Berry highlighting his team’s ability to execute role and system under pressure, post-match.

“The game was always going to be an arm wrestle, and whoever could get away from contest best was going to win it,” he said.

Berry lauded the games of Sam Beasley and Lachlan Palfrey, whose tandem approach to quelling the impact of premier ruckman Callum Heath, paid dividends. Jack Behnk’s four majors also pleased Berry, who stressed that Behnk’s work up the ground “doesn’t always get rewarded”.

Beaumaris’ ability to drag intercepting weapon Zac Calvez deeper than usual brought fellow half-back flanker Jake Harding to the fore, with Berry pleased with his production. The games of Louis Hanson and Jake Ryder also drew the commendation of their coach.

Sharks coach Josh Bourke lamented poor conversion in front of goal and conceded that the Tigers’ ability to draw his backline up the ground, only to get in behind them for scores, was something his side will take learnings from.

Inaccuracy was also a feature of Glen Eira/Old McKinnon’s performance, with the Gryphons falling to Mazenod 13.5 (83) to 9.18 (72). Scores being level at quarter-time, despite the Gryphons producing eight scoring shots to Mazenod’s three was costly, according to first-year coach Guy Martyn.

Martyn’s charges produced a last quarter comeback of sorts, on the back of a defensive acumen that had been found wanting in the middle two stanzas.

“When Mazenod got on top, it was because we couldn’t stop their run and carry off half-back and through the middle of the ground. We finished strong because we were able to turn them over and get some good looks,” Martyn said.

Mazenod coach Peter Banfield was pleased to eke out the result, noting a large portion of his players lacked match-fitness after interrupted pre-seasons kept them out of practice matches.

“Focus will be on recovery,” Banfield added, while also expressing his pleasure with the performances of Jarryd Raffa, Lachie Stewart and Brendan Wales.

In promising signs for the division and its competitiveness this season, both newly promoted sides comported themselves with aplomb, in close-run losses against fancied opposition.

Prahran fell to PEGS 10.9 (69) to 10.7 (67), in a game described by Bombers’ coach Rob Kerr as “a very tough game of contested football”.

“Pressure and contest was the most pleasing element of our game. Neither team took a backwards step, which was pleasing, given our younger list.”

“(It was a) scrappy game that opened up a bit as both teams tired,” said Kerr. Both sides were forced to contend with injury concerns, and both coaches lauded the ‘ticker’ of their respective sides under the duress limited rotations engendered.

“Pretty proud of the boys to put themselves in a position to win it under those circumstances,” said Prahran coach Craige Milward.

Oscar Bales was a difference-maker for the Bombers, first around the ball, then as a ruckman, after a hamstring injury sidelined Ade Akintola for the final 20 minutes of the contest. Jack Fenner picked up where he left off last season, booting four majors.

Usual suspects and prized recruits alike led the way for the Two Blues, with Shaun Chapman, Matt Clifford and Patrick Marks earning praise from the opposition coach post-match, while Mackenzie Mayne and Ryan Smyth predictably found themselves in the best.

Parkside held a slender half-time lead away at Parkdale Vultures, but last year’s preliminary finalists were ultimately too strong for the plucky Devils, running out 12.16 (88) to 8.5 (53) victors. Fatigue cruelled Rick Frost’s men in the second half, where waning Devils pressure allowed the Vultures to find space.

“We need to run out the game at a higher intensity,” acknowledged Frost.

Luke Logozzo and Lachlan Moylan fought valiantly for the Devils in defence, while makeshift ruck pairing Joel Stevens and Josh Moylan also earned praise from Frost for their endeavour, after losing Lewis Daniel to a fractured wrist. Former Vultures skipper Charlie Dillon’s return to Gerry Green Reserve was an entertaining one, with his 3 goals equal-most on the ground.

In Bulleen, AJAX kick-started Lachlan Buszard’s coaching tenure with a commanding 17.19 (121) to 7.5 (47) victory over Marcellin. AJAX held a two-point advantage after an attritional first quarter, before the Jackas produced four of the first five goals in the second quarter, creating a buffer that only grew.

Buszard was impressed with the youth in his team, while also praising his half-backs, and forward line. “I’m really still learning what I’ve got to work with,” said Buszard.

Crafty operator Jordan Cohen flexed his footballing IQ, repeatedly finding himself in scoring positions, and creating for his fellow forwards. The ‘sticky mitts’ of the AJAX tall brigade were also a feature of the victory, hauling in multiple memorable contested marks, and converting more often than not.

Marcellin coach Bernie Dineen has been left to rue a ‘loss of shape’, after commanding the opening quarter with suffocating defensive set-ups, particularly against kick-ins, and a significant advantage in the territory battle.

More ‘bang for buck’ in front of goal, when the game was on the Eagles’ terms would have made for a closer contest, but Dineen admits there were numerous areas where Marcellin will look to improve in the coming weeks.

“We didn’t adjust to the adjustments they (AJAX) made against us,” admitted Dineen.

“We allowed them out the front of stoppages too easily, which gave them good looks going inside 50. We should’ve made it an arm wrestle when momentum was against us, instead of still trying to play fast. We needed more composure,” he added.

Minimising turnover goals will be a major focus for the Eagles, after conceding 13 goals from this source to the Jackas. Dineen’s men will now turn their attention to a clash with Mazenod this weekend.

Elsewhere, Prahran will unveil their premiership flag at the newly refurbished Toorak Park, before playing the side they vanquished for said flag, in Parkside. Glen Eira/Old McKinnon hosts Beaumaris, PEGS travel to the Vulture Nest at Gerry Green Reserve to come up against Parkdale, and on Sunday, AJAX face St Bedes/Mentone Tigers.