PLAYING FOR PRIDE

There were many tantalizing games this round but ultimately most were for nothing more than the four points as all finals combinations bar Premier C have been determined. 
All hopes of an exciting final round of Premier action were snuffed out by a dominant Old Scotch who put away Uni Blues early and secured a 63 point win. Old Carey and Old Trinity have had some close games over their two years of clashes in Premier and this was no exception although Old Carey were too strong on this occasion winning by 15 points. Collegians’ form goes from strength to strength before September after their 68 point win over St Bedes/Mentone Tigers. Caulfield Grammarians have one more week to try an avoid becoming the seventh team in history to go through a winless season in the top flight after losing to St Bernards by 66 points. In Inner FM’s match of the day was De La Salle and Old Xaverians but it was anything but a match of the day after a first quarter blitz from De La, including four goals from Sam Pickett had them 47 point up at the first change. The rest of the game didn’t reach any great heights as De La won by 40 points with Pickett finish with five. 
Uni Blacks have beaten all comers in Premier B in recent weeks but were made to work all they way for their seven point win over Old Brighton. Beaumaris made a statement against likely finals opponent Old Melburnians winning by 31 points at home. Oakleigh led by more early but managed to hold on to win by just nine points against Werribee. Ajax jumped out of the blocks early at TH King and had the SKOBs faithful worried, but St Kevins fought back to win by 22 points to stitch up a double chance. Old Haileybury had a great 87 point win over Ivanhoe that gives them hope of playing finals. The Bloods but will need win well next week and hope Old Melbrnians to drop their final match to usurp them from fourth spot.  
Premier C has most riding on it in terms of finals, but we start at the bottom. Monash Blues won the battle of teams to be dropped as they defeated Hampton Rovers by 47 points. Fitzroy thrashed Rupertswood by 67 points in Sunbury, and ramp up the pressure on Marcellin for the double chance. Parkdale Vultures massacred Banyule by 127 points with Matt Boland kicking six majors. Marcellin hold on to the double chance courtesy of percentage after they lost to Old Camberwell by 29 points. Old Camberwell remain two points outside the four thanks to PEGS overrunning Mazenod late to win by 14 points and keep their finals hopes alive. Mazenod have are in the four on percentage from PEGS but have the rampaging Parkdale next week.  PEGS have Monash Blues so should win, whilst Old Camberwell host Rupertswood. Its all to play for in Premier C. 
In Division 1 it was all about the ducks and drakes at the top end of the ladder. At the bottom end Glen Eira ended their run in Division 1 after going down to North Old Boys / St Pats at home by 81 points with Todd Patterson kicking five for the winners. Williamston CYMS hold on for another season despite their 72 point loss to Ormond. Rob Chisholm bagged eight goals for Ormond. MHSOBs held for a 10 point Old Mentonians  thanks to a six goal haul from Tim Harper. In the closest margin of the day Old Geelong held out Peninsula at Como in a one point classic! Whilst Whitefriars did as they should and beat St Johns by 49 points. 
Monash Gryphons have given Old Paradians something to think about before next week’s Division 2 finals series after beating them by 38 points. Eltham defeated South Melbourne Districts by six goals with Sabastian Ciavola kicking five goals. St Mary’s Salesian finished off the season in style with a 17 point win over the visiting Therry Penola with seven goals from James Rogers.  Bulleen Templstowe tuned up for the finals with a massive 91 point win over bottom placed La Trobe University. Prahran Assumption won by nine goals over Emmaus St Leos in a solid hit out before a knock out semi final next week. 

UHS-VU won by 112 points over a hapless Old Westbourne with Rhys Kirk kicking six goals to start the wrap of Division 3 football. Yarra Valley fired a warning shot over the bow of the rest of the premiership contenders dismissing the fourth placed Aquinas by 64 points. Simon Yeo and Stephen Donald kicking a handful each for the Valley. Ivanhoe finished their home and away campaign with a tough 11 point win over Elsternwick. Albert Park won by nine points over Richmond Central in a mid-table stoush. Power House won their second game of the year over Hawthorn by four goals but it wasn’t enough to stop them being relegated to Division 4. Kew tuned up for September with a monstrous 98 point thrashing of St Francis Xavier with Andrew Brazzale kicking seven goals. 

Chadstone had high hopes of a second win but it wasn’t to be against Box Hill North who prevailed by 40 points in Division 4. North Brunswick had a two point nail biting win over Manningham Cobras, while Point Cook annihilated Mt Lilydale by 155 points. Ricky Munn kicked six ,while Brendan Lucas and Aaron Marsh kicked five. In another nail biter and a prelude to next week’s second semi final, Swinburne Uni defeated South Mornington by the smallest margin. Eley Park Sharks had a good win at home by 78 points over West Brunswick to conclude round 18. 

So next week its finals time in the Divisions- we can’t wait!