GOOD TO BE BACK

The Division 1 heavyweights don’t hail from a University, but that hasn’t stopped them making the turn for home without a loss next to their names. Therry Penola went 9-0 after they defeated Prahran Assumption by 68 points. Jarrod Bannister was outstanding with 10 goals. The Two Blues fall from third to fifth with the loss. 
Nine goals from Ryan saw NOBs/St Pat’s remain second courtesy of their 11 point win over Old Mentonians. Mentonians certainly had their chances on their home deck, the loss now sees them sit with a 4-5 record at the half way mark of the year. 
Yarra Valley had an important 35 point win over MHSOB to take their season to 4-5 and keep them in contention for finals. Unfortunately the Unicorns seem chained to the bottom with just one win from the front nine. 
Old Geelong came from behind to record a memorable one point win over Whitefriars at Como Park. The wins sees OGs hang on to fourth spot at the mid point. 
Williamstown CYMS are one place higher in third, the CY’s defeating the visiting Bulleen Templestowe by 32 points. The Bullants are on just one win for the year and now find themselves two games and percentage from safety. 

Kew joined Therry Penola in making it to the mid point of the year with a 100% record. In a top of the table clash, Kew hosted Old Paradians for the first time since 1991 when both sides were in Premier B and the home side were able to restrict David Boundy’s men to win by 33 points. The Bears have beaten all others in the section and are favourites to go back to back after seeing off their nearest challenger. 
St Mary’s Salesian are a team capable of troubling Kew, but today they were made to work for the four points in their match against Monash Gryphons. The ninth placed were within a kick until late in the last as St Mary’s eventually ran out 18 point winners. 
Ivanhoe kept up the pressure on the top four with a 37 point win over South Melbourne Districts. Lovell kicked four goals for the home side in the win that has them at 5-4 after nine rounds. 
Old Eltham occupy fourth spot courtesy of their 61 point win over a winless Glen Eira. Ciavola booted four goals in the Turtles win, whilst Glen Eira extended their winless streak to beyond 30 matches. 
St Johns promised so much coming into this year and perhaps their 100 point win over Elsternwick might kick start their season. It was a team effort for the Jocs but they still find themselves in negative territory on 4-5 at the turn. 

In Division 3 there are three teams holding equal rights to the top spot, Aquinas did as the good sides have done to South Mornington and recorded a triple figure win. Dell’Aquila kicked seven goals and Price six in the 205 point win. The Bloods boosted their percentage but it wasn’t enough to pinch the top spot from Northern Blues. 
Northern Blues reach the half way point on top after they defeated La Trobe University by 56 points. Five goals from McRedmond and four from Marcon helped the Blues maintain the rage throughout the important win. 
Swinburne University (see another Uni club) might be third on percentage but they have the same number of wins as both Northern and Aquinas. Today Swinburne were 35 points too strong for Eley Park Sharks. Manning booted four goals in the win as the Sharks slipped to ninth. 
Emmaus St Leos are now the top three’s next challenger as the Animals continued their surge up the table with another win. Emmaus defeated St Francis Xavier by 63 points at Bennettswood. Harding kicked six in the win, whilst the X-Men dropped to seventh. 
Power House were without their coach Ant Voyage (he was at his sister’s wedding) but it didn’t stop them recording a fantastic 56 point win at Richmond Central. Turbridy kicked five goals and Collett four as Power House moved into the top six. 
Albert Park caused one of the upsets of the day when they defeated the high flying Vultures by 17 points. UHS-VU were one of four team equal top coming into this round, but the loss has seen them drop to fifth. Maunder was brilliant for the Falcons with five goals. 

Hawthorn still soar over the top of Division 4 after they became the third senior team in the VAFA to make the midpoint of the year undefeated. The Hawks defeated Westbourne Grammarians by 56 points as Ince again kicked a bag, this time seven goals. 
Point Cook continued their resurrection with another important win. The Bulldogs handed North Brunswick a 27 point defeat that leaves the Bulls stuck on one win. Point Cook moved up to sixth and are now just a game outside the four. 
In the battle of the Cobras it was the new Canterbury Cobras that held on to defeat Manningham Cobras by just two points in a thriller. Manningham used the home supports and the memory of club Vice President Rod Sheehan who tragically died last week to make a charge in the final quarter but they fell just two points short. 
West Brunswick returned to the winners list with a comfortable 66 point win over Box Hill North. Holmes kicked five goals for the Pies who have only lost to Hawthorn this year. Box Hill are outside the four with a 4-5 record. 
The Dragons defeated Chadstone to continue their resurgence with a 32 point win.