VAFA Premier C: Old Geelong stakes claim for finals berth with victory over Marcellin

OLD Geelong went a game clear in fourth position on the VAFA Premier C ladder after a tough win over finals aspirant Marcellin on Saturday, in what could prove a season-defining result.

VAFA Premier C. Fitzroy v Old Geelong. Picture: Phyllis Quealy.

OLD Geelong went a game clear in fourth position on the Premier C ladder after a tough win over finals aspirant Marcellin on Saturday, in what could prove a season-defining result.

The Ogs now sit a game behind Old Camberwell and can look forward to a clear run at the finals after getting the better of the Eagles 14.13 (97) to 9.6 (60) at Marcellin College.

FOUR TEAMS SNAP WINLESS RUNS ON SAME DAY

VAFA 2018: CONCUSSION CONCERN FOR OLD PARADIANS SKIPPER

Jumping out of the blocks with nine scoring shots to two in the first quarter, Old Geelong took a 17-point lead to the first change, setting the tone for the remainder of the game.

A pleased Old Geelong coach Nick Bourke said the scores didn’t reflect what was a tough match.

“We seemed to be a few goals ahead for most of the game today but it was a tight, hard, arm wrestle all game,” he said. “We were really pleased to get this win against a side that is fighting for a spot in the four themselves. We lost three close games in a row and we need to get back on the winners’ list.

“I think we put a little bit of scoreboard pressure on and our second efforts were good across the ground which seemed to be a difference today.

“Marcellin are well coached by Glen Cox and they will be back, make no mistake.”

Old Geelong appears finals bound after its victory over Marcellin. Picture: Phyllis Quealy.

Colby Obrien bagged three goals, while Joshua Hoevenaars, Matt Bird and Sam Anderson snagged two each.

This week, Old Geelong takes on eighth-placed Old Mentonians, while Marcellin faces the difficult task of a trip to play ladder-leader Williamstown CYMS.

Meanwhile, in Premier this week, St Kevin’s lost just its second game of the season, going down to a determined University Blues 13.9 (87) to 5.11 (41).

De La Salle has kept its slim finals hopes alive with a dashing 14.18 (102) to 7.13 (55) win over Old Scotch while Collegians edged clear of a luckless Old Xaverians, 10.13 (73) to 9.10 (64).

And, in Division 2, MHSOB went down to Old Paradians 10.14 (74) to 6.12 (48).

TWO BLUES STILL A BIG CHANCE

Finals hopes keep flickering for Prahran Assumption after toppling Division 1 ladder-leader Ormond at Toorak Park on Saturday.

In a high quality game the Two Blues converted a one-point three-quarter time lead into a 22-point win 16.11 (107) to 12.13 (85).

Nick Martin, Brent Chapman and Harrison Taylor kicked three unanswered goals in the first seven minutes of the last quarter as Prahran Assumption took control of the match.

The Two Blues are now sixth on the ladder, one game out of the four but with a superior percentage to the fourth-placed Preston Bullants and fifth-placed Oakleigh.

In a total team effort the standouts were skipper James Musster, with his explosive dashes in the midfield, and wingman Tom Quinn with his tackling, marking and excellent disposal.