Victorian Amateur Football Association: Old Trinity earns some breathing space in top four after win over Old Melburnians

Old Trinity has been fighting to stay in the top four for most of the Premier season and, finally, they’ve earned some breathing space.

Old Trinity Grammarians have been fighting to stay in the top four for most of the Premier season.

And for the first time this year they have earned some breathing space after a convincing win over Old Melburnians at the Daley Oval.

Now six points clear in fourth spot, the Ts reversed a 65-point thumping by the Old Melburnians last time they played and ran away with a 8.15 (63) to 6.3 (39) win on the back of seven goals to one after half time.

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Old Trinity coach Bernie Dinneen. Picture: Chris Eastman

“It was a game where we are fighting for a spot in the finals and they were fighting to stay away from the relegation zone, so it had meaning for both teams today,” Old Trinity coach Bernie Dinneen said.

“I wasn’t happy with the first half but I was really happy with how we turned it around after half time.

“The first half was scrappy and a really an ugly type of game.

“They started with a player behind the ball and were working really hard and did a good job for the first half.”

Old Melburnians burst out of the blocks and took a 19-point lead to halftime, an inaccurate Old Trinity struggling to kick goals.

“I think we kicked one goal six to half time,” Dinneen said.

“We also kicked a few out on the full so we couldn’t buy a goal.

“I talked to our guys at the break about the contest, tackles and being disciplined, and after half time things changed.

“To give you an example we were minus eight in stoppages in the second quarter, and then plus eight in the third quarter and, as a result, we kicked four goals to nil.”

Like most VAFA teams at this time of year, the Ts have been troubled by players taking winter holidays but, with the list returning to normal, Dinneen has started to see the improvement in the side.

“When we last played OMs they smashed us by 10 goals and we didn’t have our best side on the park,” he said. “ But now we are starting to get back to full strength.”

Best players for the Ts included Seb Nicolosi, Harry Tinney and Gabriele Hamilton while, for OMs, state representative Josh Freezer and Stuart Watson battled hard.

Old Carey’s Kristian Jaksch gets his kick away against Beaumaris on Saturday. Picture: James Ross

In Premier B , Old Carey remains in second position on the ladder but got away with one against an inaccurate Beaumaris at home this week, winning 12.8 (80) to 8.18 (66).

In Premier C, Marcellin lost to Old Mentonians 12.6 (78) to 8.8 (56), with a finals berth now almost out of reach for the Eagles.

In Division 2, Bulleen Templestowe took the points against Emmaus St Leos, 14.11 (95) to 8.5 (53) , while Whitefriars got the chocolates against St Johns 17.16 (118) to 5.4 (34).

In Division 3, the Manningham Cobras were too strong for Richmond, running out easy winners 12.9 (81) to 8.8 (56).