Panthers, Wellers win thrillers, Old Ivanhoe make Round 1 statement

Old Carey is perhaps the story of Premier B’s first weekend of competition, the Panthers punctuating their ascent to the division by defeating the Old Melburnians in a thriller at league HQ.

Last year, Old Ivanhoe and Old Camberwell proved the jump from Premier B to Premier C was far from insurmountable, both clubs in contention for the finals well into wintertime before ultimately falling away.

This year, Old Carey and the Hampton Rovers are out to repeat the dose, and for new Panthers coach Luke Giles the early signs are good

“What more do you want to start off your journey in Premier B – a win over a team coming down from A grade,” said Old Carey coach Luke Giles on Sunday.

History will tell you most, if not all, games at Elsternwick Park are influenced by a wind that blows toward the Glen Huntly Road end – an advantage enjoyed in the first term by the Old Melburnians, who took a 27-point lead into the first break 

“I actually didn’t think we were doing a whole heap wrong early on,” said Giles.

“We got beaten by a few of their good players in some key one-on-ones, which we can live with, but we weren’t getting beat up around the ball or anything like that.”

“As you find out there often, the ball just kept getting out the back – and they struggled to deal with it when it was their turn to defend into the wind too … you’re never OK with (giving up) a six-goal lead, but I was pretty confident we’d get our turn in the second quarter.”

That would be the case – Tom Horton putting the Panthers in front early into time-on of the second quarter – but from there, both sides had a grasp of conditions. 

Old Carey held a slender lead at the final break and then broke free in the first ten minutes of the final term, kicking three quick goals to take a 21-point advantage.

But the Old Melburnians weren’t to be denied, kicking four of the last five majors, and Adam Richardson’s third goal of the afternoon cut the margin to five points with just seconds remaining.

From the bounce, a free kick saw Jack Spargo boot the ball the OMs’ way, but his kick inside 50 was spoiled clear, Panther Bede Waters booted the football from the defensive area, and Old Carey’s entry to Premier B was heralded shortly after by the final siren, holding on 14.10 (94) to 13.11 (89) winners.

“I’d have to watch the video to find out whether we switched off … but I give a lot of credit to (Old Melburnians) for finishing off the game really well,” Giles said.

“Credit to them – I think good teams that have won for a long time and believe in themselves don’t give up.”

20-year-old Panther Isaac Elllwood was superb off a wing on the expanses of Elsternwick Park, while fellow youngster, 19-year-old Tadhg McCarthy, was strong in the air, getting some exposure on OMs veteran forward Jackson Paine. 

Returning Old Melburnians coach Nathan Brown was positive in his review of “a great little game,” and effusive in his praise of Old Carey.

“Lots of young talent everywhere, and I believe they’ve been together (for a) couple of years, so (they’re) building beautifully,” he said.

“Loved our players’ game and effort – just let ourselves down in the second quarter.”

Skipper Jackson Paine ended up with four goals for the Old Melburnians, while towering pair Richardson and Jack Spargo (22 disposals, 25 hitouts) were named as Brown’s best.

Defender Charlie Connell-Tobin, forward Trent Warren and distributor Tom Horton were three names worthy of praise from Giles, who will look ahead to another test of strength against the in-form Old Ivanhoe this weekend.

The Hoers have been tipped to launch into finals football in 2025, and certainly did their pre-season reputation no harm with a 43-point win over Caulfield Grammarians at Chelsworth Park – impressing the new Grammarians coach Paul Satterley greatly.

“I would be staggered if Old Ivanhoe are not a top two side in Premier B, based on the quality of their midfield – and their stoppage work was absolutely A grade,” said Satterley.

Old Ivanhoe recognised club legend and ‘Godfather’ of the club Godfrey ‘Goff’ Stevens, who sadly passed away in December last year. Across his two decades as coach, Jarrod Gieschen rates the late great as “probably our biggest supporter,” Stevens having attended almost every Hoers game until his passing.

“(Son) John and the family wanted the day to be the (one) they used to recognise Godfrey. So for us, it was really important that we did him proud,” Gieschen said.

“A fair bit of emotion before the game, and the players were able to start really well … (they) played as good as footy as I’ve seen us play (perhaps) ever”.

Old Ivanhoe’s seven-goal first quarter burst included two goals apiece for returning ex-Blue Alex Mirkov and Tyson Nagel, while Patrick Nash, reigning league best-and-fairest Billy Murphy and Toby McLean racked up disposals at will through the centre of the ground.

Caulfield worked its way back into the contest across the second term, and the first half of the third, but two goals apiece from Murphy and Archie Franklin in an eight-minute burst before the final break set the three-quarter-time margin at 38 points to the Hoers.

Another burst of goals to start the final term – four in nine minutes this time – put the contest to bed, Old Ivanhoe running out 18.10 (118) to 11.9 (75) victors.

McLean (40 disposals, nine clearances), Murphy (33 disposals, three goals) and Pat Naish (34 disposals and a goal) were the three highest-rated players on the ground, while Mirkov finished with three goals to go with 38 hitouts.

“They’re starting to get some real chemistry in terms of the role that each of them plays in that midfield … we’re very lucky to have the quality of these boys,” Gieschen said.

Dynamic forward Tyson Nagel – “a beautifully balanced and skilled player” – was bubbly inside 50, finishing with two goals from 25 disposals.

The Grammarians will look to rebound after a tough assignment first up, Paul Satterley impressed with the list he’s inherited from former coach Guy McKenna.

“My first look at the lads, and (I) really think we will be super competitive this season, we had periods of control throughout the game which was testament to the lads’ effort,” he said.

Defenders Oscar Roberts (24 disposals, 12 marks), Matt Clarkson (30 disposals) and Hamish McInerney (24 disposals, seven rebound 50s) were applauded by their coach for their efforts under the weight of quality entries from the Hoers’ engine room.

Caulfield will fancy its chances against Fitzroy this weekend after the Roys’ slow start to 2025, misfiring on return to Premier B in a five-goal loss to Nick Dixon’s Old Geelong.

Fitzroy kicked just four goals to three quarter time, trailing by 51 points at Brunswick Street Oval – and despite more than doubling its score in the final term fell short, 9.6 (60) to the OGs’ 13.12 (90).

Dixon, who has the reins full time at Como Park this year, was thrilled, having gone into the game with an element of unknown after some unavailabilities over the club’s practice matches.

“I thought it might’ve taken a few weeks for us to click, but it was pleasing that our senior boys really stood up, really led the way … we were able to show the way we wanted to play straight away,” he said on Sunday.

Dixon lauded Jack Sheridan and Tim Jones, who waxed beautifully in the middle of the ground early and continued their good work across the four quarters. Jones, the reigning best-and-fairest winner at Como Park, would finish as the highest rated player on the ground with 35 disposals and 12 clearances.

“I think he’s as good a midfielder in the comp as there is – I played a lot of VFL footy against him, and he was a very good VFL player for a long time. He’s an exceptional person and player,” Dixon said.

In a pair of 20-year-olds, Hamish Pierson and Reef Page, Dixon has found key position players that “look like they’ve played 100 games at the level already,” while Mickey Nicholls booted three majors from 18 disposals.

For Fitzroy, it’s a wobbly start, but coach Travis Ronaldson knows his chargers are capable of better football.

“We were a bit off the boil, unfortunately,” he said.

“Credit to Old Geelong, they came to play and impressed me with their willingness to run both ways. We had a number of players who haven’t played much footy together and it showed.”

“We got better as the game went on, and will be better for the run.”

Ronaldson highlighted the “fantastic” performances of under 19s-eligible pair Dan Shepherd and Louis Hodder, while Harrison Grace (29 disposals) and Miles Nelson impressed.

With one test against a fancied opponent passed, Dixon finds himself with another this weekend, on the road again to take on the Old Melburnians at Elsternwick Park.

“We’re really looking forward to another Prem A side that’s come down and challenging ourselves against them … we’ll be up and about for that one, no doubt.”

In the second thriller of the opening round of the season, Old Camberwell held off a fast-finishing Old Trinity by a point, kicking new coach Neil Connell’s reign off with a win – albeit one that went to the final moments.

The Wellers had the play all day, leading by 41 points at the final break, before last year’s preliminary finalists roared into gear, the Ts punting seven goals to one in a blitzkrieg that more than doubled their three quarter time score.

With fewer than 20 seconds remaining in the game, Hugh Beasley converted a set shot that gave the Ts a chance to steal the most unlikely of victories, cutting the margin to one point.

But the Wellers would hold on from the next centre bounce, 13.11 (89) to 12.16 (88) winners at Gordon Barnard Reserve.

“We were very good early – our pressure was through the roof. We put a lot of pressure on them, caused turnovers … that was really pleasing,” said Connell, who graduates from an assistant coaching role to the full time job in 2025.

Kicking with an estimated three-goal wind, the Wellers established a 25-point lead at the first break, and were able to keep the Ts to just the one goal when it was their turn in the second.

Midfielder Sam Veitch didn’t play the second half for Old Camberwell due to a tight hamstring, hampering the Wellers’ rotations, but Connell was impressed with his side’s ability to play a high-tempo brand of football while defending manfully – up to the three quarter time break.

“We just froze a little bit,” explained Connell.

“The spread and the run was really good for three quarters, but we just panicked a bit, which is going to be a good learning for us.”

“We get that situation again, we’ve got a lead – how are we going to defend it, how are we going to use the ball?”

Weller David McColl was “fantastic” across the midfield and half forward, racking up 18 disposals, ten tackles and booting two goals. By the estimation of the coach, Caleb Finalyson (17 disposals and two goals) played his best game in the time Connell has been at the club, and Lachie McGowan, on debut at full back, showed plenty of promise.

“When we did get going, we were running all over them, (we) just left our run too late,” said Old Trinity coach Donald McDonald.

McDonald lamented a sloppy start from the Ts, highlighting the first quarter and parts of the second as the difference between the two sides – as well as their poor conversion in front of goal.

“We were just making so many mistakes, and they were just beating us up around the contest … it just took us a while to get back on an even keel,” he said.

“We just didn’t adapt to the way they came out and attacked the game. We were dropping marks, making skill errors (and) losing key contests.”

After a rollercoaster ride to start the year, McDonald walks away with a positive, impressed by his team’s refusal to let the game ebb away.

“As a coach, you just love to have a team that’s got spirit. We’ve definitely got that.”

Alex Emery has proved to be a difference-maker for the Ts’ midfield – he’ll be “touch-and-go” to play next week after returning to the training track from injury

Finally, exciting Williamstown CYMS forward Zac Provest wasted no time in stamping his name on the 2025 season, franking a bountiful pre-season with eight goals in a 53-point win over the Hampton Rovers at Fearon Reserve.

Provest, who finished with eight goals, four behinds and a whopping 18 score involvements, looked at his most dangerous leading at the football, with smalls Will Bokma and Harry Miller prepared to rove at his feet.

“I think it stands to say that it gives you a lot of confidence as a midfield group when you’ve got targets like that leading at you,” explained Terzoglou.

“We think Zac’s hands are great, and if we can just put it out in front of him all day he’ll be pretty hard to stop.”

The Rovers’ extra numbers at the contest challenged the CYs early, catching the home side’s defence high and resulting in four first quarter Rovers goals – but from there, Terzoglou’s side was able to control possession of the football.

Will Chan was superb in the 17.22 (124) to 11.5 (71) win, coming off a strong pre-season of his own, while Bokma stuffed the stat sheet with 38 disposals, 12 inside 50s and 12 tackles.

The CYs will get a serious test of their off-season progression this weekend, coming up against an Old Trinity side sure to be smarting after a tough loss to Old Camberwell.

“We had planned (around) this two-week block – on the back of practice games, we roll straight in, plus we get two games at home,” said Terzoglou.

“We’re really looking forward to the challenge we’ll get from Trinity this week. Rapt to have those two opportunities at home to maybe start the season on the right foot.

For the Rovers, James Keys was a spark with 38 disposals and ten rebound 50s, while Dillon Melnjak and Christian Carnovale led the way in tight, leading the game for clearances. 

Old Ivanhoe’s clash with Old Carey at Chelsworth Park will tell us plenty about both sides – as will the game between Caulfield Grammarians and Fitzroy at Glen Huntly Park.

Old Melburnians host Old Geelong, the Hampton Rovers return to Boss James Reserve for a meeting with Old Camberwell, and Old Trinity travel to face Williamstown CYMS at Fearon Reserve.