Division 3 Review of Round 2

Gavin Southern

@gavsouthern

Well, we are certainly witnessing some teams out there that are well and truly setting the pace for this Division. With no real surprises, I was quietly pleased with my 4/5 tipping and the match of the round also rang true with just the 3 goals separating Glen Eira and Albert Park. Round 1 saw all the home sides win and this week, all the away sides brought home the bacon. This Saturday is ANZAC Day and instead of watching Essendon and the mighty Pies, We get the chance to honour our ancestors and play hard-nosed football.

UHS-VU AFC defeated by Aquinas OC

Aquinas travelled down to Brens Oval and as expected, built a 2 goal buffer to finish the first half. UUH-VU then went all out in the premiership quarter, outscoring the Bloods 25-2. Aquinas were able to keep Ross Dickson goal-less but, Nick Devereux and Joel Moden, yet again stood up for the Vultures to keep them in the game. But, by the 4th, Matthew Prouse, Daniel D’Angelo and co were fitter for their extra week of pre-season, running out three goal winners. Aquinas have found a recruit in former EFL player, Pat O’Leary, booting 3 goals for the victors.

La Trobe Uni defeated by Power House

After a frustrating and frantic quarter of missed opportunities, the second quarter opened up with goals being scored at either end freely with Power House up one by half time. Power House continued their scoring but, were also able to clamp it down at the other end holding La Trobe to just 2.5 for the rest of the match. Bryce Dowler was consistent as always for La Trobe but, there was no answer for Tom and Adam Collett who snagged three goals each for their first win of the year with a 35 point win at La Trobe University. Darren Baker was named BOG

Glen Eira defeated by Albert Park

Last week, I wrongfully tipped Glen Eira based on a coin toss. Realistically, this was anyone’s game with inaccurate kicking from both sides. Both teams certainly had a point to prove after both recovering from losses the week before. The game was a tight arm-wrestle all day but, it seemed Albert Park wanted it just that little extra bit as players such as Ryan Schneider, Cale Blizzard and Justin Maloney, certainly got more of the ball than last week. Nathan Dennis and Daniel Entwistle led the way for Glen Eira with consistant play for the 2nd week running but, the Falcons held off the Saints by 18 points.

Hawthorn AFC defeated by Emmaus St. Leo’s 

Good conditions at Rathmines Rd, saw Emmaus St Leo’s blitz the opening term booting 8 goals to one to set the up the win against Hawthorn. Six goals to Chris Beluszar, four each to Paul Baranello and Ryan Harding were the cause of most of the Hawks’s headaches. The Hawks had other ideas by increasing their pressure and run to keep pace with the Animals in the second. Another tight quarter in the 3rd, but the Animals maintained the 7 goal buffer. The Animals put the foot down in the last to come away with a twelve goal win. Anthony “Bally” Ballard controlled the backline to be the Animals best and help setup their 72 point win.

Eley Park defeated by West Brunswick.

Another game predicted by a coin toss, it did not come across my desk until last Thursday about the 6-7 Sharks names that were missing last Saturday. But, Saturday was about the form of promoted West Brunswick Magpies, as they made light work of Eley Park in Box Hill. The Magpies won by 83 points as Dylan Muscat booted 5 goals and Xavier Fowler 4 in the win. West Brunswick were too strong in the clearances early on and were able to score from the centre far too often. Their depth in talls proved too strong for us all over the Sharks small ground. Josh Kennedy was solid in his first match for the club and Patrick McMahon was a clear winner in the ruck for the Sharks. I said it in my preview but, the Sharks were simply outclassed for their talls and agility.

PREVIEW

I’m very excited about the games we have for Round 3. There are match of the rounds everywhere you look with some evenly matched sides. Aquinas host a red-hot West Brunswick at the College. These two clubs are unknown to each other I’m going for West Brunswick to just edge out Aquinas. The Magpies are rolling and are high in confidence. UHS-VU host Eley Park. The Sharks will be under-manned again but, I’m sure the coaching staff will be throwing challenges to their players. The Vultures better not think this will be easy, not by any means. Glen Eira head out to Bundoora to face La Trobe Uni. La Trobe will need to improve on their consistency and predictability to overcome the Saints and I believe they will. Power House head out to Rathmines Rd to take on Hawthorn. Hawthorn’s ground is 2/3’s the size of La Trobe’s ground and Power House will need to adjust their game plan accordingly. Hawthorn will put up a brave fight but, Power House for me. Lastly, Swinburne Uni got a week’s rest to prepare against my early flag favorite, Emmaus St. Leo’s. Anybody is capable of getting the win as the Animals have not been properly challenged . . . until this week. I really want to say Swinburne but, it’s the Animals for me.

Aquinas v West Brunswick

USH-VU v Eley Park

La Trobe Uni v Glen Eira

Hawthorn v Power House

Swinburne Uni v Emmaus St Leo’s