Raiders Burst To Victory

Brenton Mann

Last week’s results went relatively to plan, with Old Paradians’ 40 point win over Old Eltham the exception. Both sides have shown significant improvement this year, but have also faulted at times. At this stage, both are a rung below Ivanhoe and St Johns, with Northern Blues nipping at their heels. In a low scoring dour affair, both sides mirrored one another on the scoreboard until the Raiders put the Turtles to the sword with a barnstorming seven goal last quarter. Old Paradians led at every change and found alternate avenues to goal as Kandilakis and Holden kicked three a piece, with coach David Boundy only managing one. For the Turtles, they failed to take their home form on the road, in what has been a common theme over the past few years. Old Paradians face a stern test this week as it travels to Thomas Carroll Reserve and will look to knock-off the undefeated St Johns. If they’re to show true improvement, these are the games the Raiders must start to win to cement their spot in the top-four. Old Eltham has a chance to go 4–2 as it faces Monash at Eltham College, it what’s a must win for the Turtles.

Monash put in its best performance of the year in what was a missed opportunity against Ivanhoe. The Gryphons had 26 scoring shots to 21 and let their chance of knocking off one of Div 2’s heavyweights slip, in a heart breaking loss. Ivanhoe stamped its authority from the opening bounce with a seven goal to one first quarter. But Monash played its best quarter for the year in the second, kicking 6.6 and cut the margin to 20 points at the main change. Both sides shared the points in a dour second half with five goals a-piece as the Hoes held the Gryphons at bay. It was a game for the forwards, as Lovell led Ivanhoe with six, and Cassidy attempted to will Monash over the line with five. This could turn out to be a watershed moment for the Gryphons who will need to take that form to the fortress that is Eltham College. Ivanhoe, after the previous week’s loss to Northern Blues did what they needed to against the Gryphons, but will need to find a sharper edge for Melbourne High this week. The Unicorns have found form and should not be taken lightly.

St Johns put the previous week’s disappointment behind them with a hard fought seven point win over an impressive Richmond Central. After taking a few weeks to find its feet, Richmond Central is starting to find its form in Div 2 and was in this contest until the death. The Snakes pushed the JOCs to the wire, who had to rely on some heroics from forward Rohan Scott to get over the line. Richmond Central’s accuracy in front of goal was uncanny at times and at one stage it had 13.1 on the board. The JOCs remained in the contest mainly due to ruckman Dan Cattolico’s influence at the stoppages and around the ground. The Snakes midfield took the points around the clearances but simply ran out of legs in the last. The JOCs’ backline was staunch all day, with Cam Christensen impassable in the last. Richmond Central face rivals Northern Blues this week, in a replay last year’s Division 3 Grand Final. Both are in form and looking to take a spot in the top-four. St Johns take on the “Jekyll and Hyde” Old Paradians in what promises to be a classic.

Northern Blues kicked eight goals to one in the first quarter against South Melbourne and then didn’t kick their ninth until the last quarter. Remarkably, the Blues ran out winners by eight goals. The Districts put in their best performance of the year, and despite their sluggish start, had the better of the Blues for most of the day. The Clarke brothers combined for five goals for South Melbourne as McRedmond continued his good form for the Blues bagging five. South Melbourne remain anchored to the bottom of the ladder but has its best chance for a win this week against a hapless Elsternwick. While the Blues host arch rivals and fellow top-four aspirants Richmond Central in the match of the round.

Melbourne High School Old Boys showed it shouldn’t be underestimated as it banged on seven goals to nil in the last to record a commanding 48 point win over Elsternwick. In what was an intriguing encounter, both sides had two goalless quarters, but it was the Unicorns who rose above. Unicorns rebounding defender Andrew Villani was resolute all day and continually repelled Elsternwick’s forays forward. It was a good day all round for the Unicorns with each of their teams all recording a win on the same day. MHSOB face a bigger test this week against ladder leaders Ivanhoe while Elsternwick face the luckless South Melbourne in a must win if they’re to advance up the ladder.

Round 6 Tips

Elsternwick vs South Melbourne

Eltham vs Monash

Ivanhoe vs MHSOB

St Johns vs Old Paradians

Northern Blues vs Richmond Central