Div. 3 Wrap/Preview

Gavin Southern
@gavsouthern

Amazing to think that we are already a third of the way through season. Some predictable outcomes this week as I now have 3 weeks straight of 5/5 tipping. UHS-VU, Hawthorn and Swinburne make up the 6 along with our 3 undefeated sides. West Brunswick still hold top spot. Glen Eira showed some fight and Albert Park needed one more quarter.

Albert Park defeated by UHS-VU

My match of the round had everything and more. A seesawing affair in the first half with good defence and inaccurate kicking had UHS-VU up by just the three points at the main break. UHS-VU had majority of the play but, couldn’t put it away until the middle of the final quarter, running out 11 point victors. For the Falcons, Ashley McNaughton booted 3 goals and Jack Amies was best for the second week running. The Falcons would also be pleased that Justin Antenucci was able to put in his best game for the year after an interrupted season so far. As for UHS-VU, Nicholas Devereux, Charlie Jackson and John Clark (3 goals) again are getting the job done. They’ll also be pleased in the promoted Fraser Allen (2 goals).

Glen Eira defeated by Hawthorn

A lot of people would have said Glen Eira never had a chance but clearly, the Saints had come out with other ideas. It was a really even game, before the Hawks slowly edged away. The Hawks got back some tall timber this week and they don’t get shorter as the game rolled on. Glen Eira fought hard all day and have certainly gained some respect back. It was really a battle of defences as the ball ping-ponged between the arcs. For the Hawks, Devan Healey played another great game across half back. Mickey Nunan did a role down back and Tommy Bowler was hard through the middle. The Hawks had no answers for Todd Richardson and Julius Waras Carstensen who were the best for the Saints both slotting a goal apiece.

Power House defeated by Emmaus St. Leo’s

A beautiful day for football at Ross Gregory oval where the Animals started well but were inaccurate around goal. By the end of the first half (7.12 to 1.5), the Animals held a 43 point lead as both sides squandered opportunities. The Animals diminutive on-baller Dan Hill was great around the ground and 4 goals topped off a good day. The half back line was dominant for the Animals with Alex Mcdougall, Callum Hogan and Lawrence Virgo rebounding into the forward line. The Animals forwards straightened up in the second half kicking 13.8 to take a 95 point win with a great team effort. For Power House, David Burnside again was prolific along with the Collett brothers.

Swinburne Uni defeated La Trobe Uni

La Trobe travelled to Swinburne for the “Battle of the Uni’s” at St James park. La Trobe seeking their second win of the season and the Razorbacks were after a 4 quarter effort following last week’s defeat. Swinburne got the jump on La Trobe but due to some inaccurate kicking, La Trobe believed they were still in the game at halftime. Come the third, Swinburne knew how to play their ground and strangled La Trobe’s ball movement. The last quarter turned into a shoot out with La Trobe adding some respectability to the score board but Swinburne was the better side, winning by 41 points. Tom Kennedy was able to get it going again this week with 5 majors and Jeremy McDonald was BOG with 4 goals. Shaun Field kicked 6 for the visitors and Matty Ogle was their best.

Eley Park defeated by Aquinas 

Aquinas headed out to Whitehorse reserve to take on Eley Park. When the Sharks hit targets, they would score as they kicked the most accurately out of all the Div 3 sides (11-4). When they don’t, their forward line struggled to keep it in with Aquinas rebounding from defence too easily. The Bloods through BOG Lachlan Barnes, also dominated the centre clearances early and held a 5 goal lead at quarter time. For the Sharks, Patrick McMahon again playing well in the ruck helped limit the damage but the ball use and speed from The Bloods kept them well ahead at each change. “Funky” Dave Viola played a lone hand after Noel Bahnsen injured himself again early on and Tim “Hank” Pollock provided plenty after halftime even though the game was out of reach. The Bloods had 8 individual goal-scorers led by Jack Price (5) and Ben Nucifora (4)

PREVIEW

Round 7 shapes as the Round of the season! Games decided by a coin toss everywhere. Can someone film all the games for me this week??

My match of the round is fairly obvious. Emmaus St. Leo’s (2nd) vs. Aquinas (3rd). I’m going for the Animals at home and they have been beating their opposition better than the Bloods have.

UHS-VU (5th) host Swinburne Uni (4th). 4-2 sounds a lot better than 3-3. Swinburne have won and lost the last two weeks based upon their kicking. If it’s high scoring, we will see the Razorbacks get up. Hawthorn have to make the trek out to Bundoora and La Trobe Uni. La Trobe’s ground is one of the largest in Div 3 and can sometimes be the windiest. All-in-all, Hawthorn’s form is hard to go past Hawks by a hair. Albert Park (7th) host a fresh West Brunswick (1st). The Magpies average 102 pts per game and don’t kick straight. The Falcons need to get as much as they can out of this game except the win.

Lastly, Power House host Glen Eira at Ross Gregory Oval. Both teams have struggled. The Saints should be eager to put in another strong performance, but Power House will be confident for this one. I’m sticking with them in another close one. If any team deserves the bye, it’s Eley Park. With their injuries, they’ll need the rest as they take one Albert Park next week for the Sharks 3rd straight home game.

Emmaus St. Leo’s Vs. Aquinas

UHS-VU Vs. Swinburne Uni

La Trobe Uni Vs. Hawthorn

Albert Park Vs. West Brunswick

Power House Vs. Glen Eira