Round 3 wrap: Three teams go 3-0

We're back after the Easter break and three Blacks teams remain undefeated in their respective grades. Let's take a look at each game.

Seniors vs St Bedes/Mentone Tigers

The Seniors made it three on the bounce to open the season with a convincing 50-point win over St Bedes/Mentone.

Six goals to one in the opening term set the tone for the afternoon, as the boys took a 31-point lead into the quarter time break. From that point on the contest was fairly even, with the Tigers lifting their intensity around the ball and closing the gap to just three straight kicks midway through the second term. 

But the Blacks responded and when the half time bell rang, the margin was a little more comfortable at 24 points.

The game continued to be a seesawing affair in the second half, and although the Blacks kicked away on the scoreboard, St Bedes/Mentone provided stiff opposition for most of the afternoon.

Daniel McCullough finished with his second bag of four goals for the season while Lachlan Huntington and Joel Ernest finished with a couple each. 

Louis Vescio was outstanding across half-back and through the midfield, while Chris Carson and Luke Sevior also relished more time around the footy this week. Campbell Moorfield and Xavier Vearing continue to be pillars in defence and any opposition key forward will have their work cut out against these two in 2019.

Congratulations must also go to Sam 'Snags' McKenzie, who made his Senior debut and performed admirably in the ruck in the absence of Josh Steadman.

Reserves vs St Bedes/Mentone Tigers

The Reserves continued their unbeaten start to 2019 with a dominant 79-point win in the earlier game on the Main. 

A superb defensive effort in the first half limited the visitors to just one major, and if not for some wayward kicking in front of goal the Blacks could have had the game totally wrapped up by half time. But a 40-point lead was certainly nothing to complain about.

The onus was on to not let the work rate from the first half diminish and the Blacks found their range in the second half, piling on a further ten goals to extend the lead beyond ten goals. 

Kadan King-Davies played the role of spearhead kicking three goals while Harry King, Josh Wooding and Callum Welsh each kicked two along with seven other Blackers hitting the scoreboard.

Andrew Yates provided plenty of run and carry of half back all day in a best on ground effort and he was well supported by James Wiffen who also played an industrious game in the back half. Jordan Tunbridge continues to dominate in the ruck, getting around the ground with ease. 

The Reserves face a sterner test next week, facing off against Caulfield Grammarians at Glen Huntly Oval.

Phoenix vs Collegians

The Phoenix remain one of two undefeated sides in the Premier Thirds competition after defeating Collegians by 31 points on Crawford Oval on Saturday morning.

The tone was set early one as the Blacks piled on five goals to one in the opening quarter, and in similar fashion to the Reserves could have been well ahead by the long break if not for some wayward second-quarter kicking.

Although the third term was more free flowing and both sides were able to find the big sticks, the Phoenix continued to soar and a 29-point lead seemed a mountain too great for the visitors to climb. So it proved in the final term, the boys maintaining their lead to go 3-0 and a game clear in second spot on the ladder.

Peter Mark again finished with five majors, remarkably the third time he's kicked five goals in three matches. Nicholas Freeman was also prominent up forward with three majors in a BOG performance. Ben Deighton and the ever-reliable trio of Rohan Cleary, Brayden Poole and David Restrepo were also standout contributors. 

Under 19s vs University Blues

The Under 19s again had the chance to play on the Main early on Saturday morning, playing out their Uni Derby against the Blues. 

Inaccurate kicking in the first quarter meant the boys trailed by a couple of points at the first change and then the Blues really took hold in the second term, kicking four goals to none to open up a 31-point margin at half time. They took another gear in the second half, stretching the lead to 62 points and then 98 at the full time siren.

Jack Gleeson, Henry Robertson and Filip Bjelosevic gave their all for the Blacks, while Alex King, Luke Mckay and Lachlan Devlin were also among the best players. An opportunity to bounce back presents itself this Saturday as the boys travel to take on Old Trinity.