VAFA Premier C: Mazenod lock in finals, Monash set for glory

A Mazenod defender’s important mark in the dying stages of a VAFA game has secured his side a finals spot but is anyone good enough to knock off the premiership favourites.

Mazenod have secured a spot in the VAFA Premier C finals after holding off a late push from Old Geelong at Como Park to win by three points.

Old Geelong trailed by 34 points at three-quarter time before kicking five goals to nil in the final quarter to almost topple Mazenod.

With 40 seconds remaining, a holding free kick was paid in the centre to Old Geelong which allowed them to go inside 50 and have a chance of match-winning goal.

A strong mark in defence from Mazenod’s Liam Riley denied the home side a chance of a goal to hit the front however.

Mazenod then ran the clock down, ending the game at 11.6 (72) to 10.15 (75).

Liam Riley took a match-winning mark in defence against Old Geelong. Photo: Hamish Blair

Peter Rozanitis was awarded best on ground for Mazenod while Jack Caspersz was influential kicking a bag of five goals.

It marks an important win for Mazenod who will play finals with the chance of key players returning who came back in through the reserves on the weekend.

Jacob Murdock and Simon Hall played their first game back in the ladder-leading reserves team on the weekend.

Ryan Lavery has also returned from overseas and could come back into the side if fit.

Coach Peter Banfield said they were almost at full strength again if the trio could return to the seniors.

“It’s just whether they can get enough footy in them now to get themselves in the seniors,” Banfield said.

Mazenod coach Peter Banfield addressing his players on Saturday. Photo: Hamish Blair

“That’s a challenge that will be really interesting to see where they get themselves to.

“Fully fit, all those three blokes would make us a really good side.

“It’s just whether it’s too late, I don’t know yet.”

The club have had to use 45 different players in the seniors this season for various reasons including injuries, Covid and holidays.

The loss for Old Geelong means a win this week against second-placed Hampton Rovers will sure up a finals spot.

A loss will have them relying on the other results although percentage is well and truly in their favour which should be enough to lock in finals.

Nicholas Lucena takes a mark for Old Geelong against Ormond.Photo: Hamish Blair

In other games, Monash Blues continued its dominant form this season with a 27-point win over Ormond.

The Blues sit a clear first on the ladder with 18 wins and two loses with a big percentage of 208.84.

Banfield, who is in his second year as coach of Mazenod said anything could happen in finals but mentioned Monash Blues were the clear premiership favourites in the competition.

“Monash are the best team by miles,” he said.

“Whoever makes it to the last day will have a really tough ask against Monash but if you can get there, you just never know.

“But Monash are the best team by a fair way.”

Nicholas Darling continued his fine form this season kicking multiple goals again for the 13th game in a row with two against Ormond.

Nicholas Darling of Monash Blues celebrates a goal against Ormond. Photo: Hamish Blair

Darling leads the competition for goals with 62 for the season, six clear of second highest goalkicker Luke Scuderi from Old Ivanhoe.

Banfield said he had a strategy in mind for beating Monash but was focusing on the next game at hand.

“I’ve got a view on maybe how you can beat them but before I start thinking about that, we’ve got to start winning some games to make sure we can get there,” he said.