West Brunswick rest after four on the trot in Div 2

By Jarryd McGuane – @JMcGuane

Round 5 in Division 2 saw blow out victories, a tense low scoring affair and a high scoring comeback victory which denied a winless side their first win of 2016.

St John’s OC maintained their top place on the ladder and their unbeaten status as they defeated previously in-form Emmaus St Leos at Bennettswood Sports Ground by 43 points. The JOC’s were on from the first siren as they only allowed the Animals one behind, and would lead by 23 points at quarter time. Emmaus St Leos finally got their first major on the scoreboard in the second quarter but it would be their only goal in the first half as St Johns OC got the major out to 39 at the break. A four goal to two third quarter once again in favour to the JOC’s gave them a 51 point lead to put it beyond doubt with a quarter to go. The Animals won the last quarter on the scoreboard but could only reduce the final margin to 43 points. John Ayama and Dylan Webb were the best players on the field for St Johns OC, with Tim Edwards the major goal kicker with four. Peter Baranello was Emmaus St Leos best with Chris Beluszar was their only multiple goal kicker with two.

Richmond Central remains without a 2016 Division 2 victory as Yarra Valley OB were able to defeat the Snakes by 51 points at Doncaster Reserve. In a tight first half the Snakes kept themselves in the game as they only allowed the Bushrangers to lead by nine points and 12 points at quarter time and half time respectively. It was in the third quarter when Yarra Valley OB got away from Richmond Central with seven goals to two to lead by 44 points. Five more goals for the Bushrangers in the last quarter to the Snakes four extended the final margin out to 51 at the siren. Jonathon Trend continued his good form for the Bushrangers with another best on performance, with four goals for Jordan Canham being the major influence on the scoreboard. Simon Kenny was the best for the Snakes with Steven Bugeja the major goal kicker with three goals.

Despite the not leading at any of the three breaks, MHSOB came out on top of Eltham Collegians by 29 points at Melbourne High School. The winless Eltham Collegians started out strongest with six goals to MHSOB’s four to lead by 16 points at the first quarter ended. Both sides threw on the scoreboard power with five goals each with only MHSOB’s inaccuracy stopping the margin being reduced more than 13 points at half time. Again inaccuracy was the only thing stopping MHSOB’s from taking the lead away as the Turtles held on for a five point margin at the final change. The final quarter was where Unicorns put it all together as they dominated with a nine goal to two final quarter for the comeback 29 point victory. Kane Smith was the best for the Unicorns as well as their major goal kicker with six goals. For the Turtles, Ben Gill added another eight goals to his season tally and was also their best on ground.

In the lowest scoring game of the round at Ransford Oval, a strong first half from West Brunswick was enough to hold off Bulleen/Templestowe by seven points. The Bullants were held to two points by the Magpies to trail by 21 points at quarter time. Bulleen/Templestowe were left to rue missed opportunities as despite have the same amount of shots at half time their 2.10.22 to West Brunswick’s 6.6.42 meant they trailed by 20 points. In a low scoring third quarter, the only goal came from the Bullants as the margin was reduced to 16 points. West Brunswick were able to get a goal in the final quarter after a goalless third quarter and were able to hold on from the final quarter Bullants’ 2.4 charge to win by seven. Henry Paez was the best on ground for the Magpies and their only multiple goal kickers were Bill Irving and Scott Hulm added two apiece. Lachlan Bruce was the best for Bulleen/Templestowe with Kristian Cherbakof being the only multiple goal kicker for the Bullants with also with two goals.

Round 6 and the winless Eltham Collegians return to Eltham College to host the fourth placed Yarra Valley OB to see if the Turtles can get off the bottom of the ladder. Also currently winless, Richmond Central, return home to take on the ladder leaders in St Johns OC at Kevin Bartlett Reserve in a bid to end their undefeated season. In what I predict to be match of the round, seventh-placed Emmaus St Leos travel to Ted Ajani Reserve to face six-placed Bulleen/Templestowe with the winner possibly able to jump up the ladder. The final match of the round sees Preston Bullants return from the bye to host the fifth placed MHSOB at W.R. Ruthven Reserve. This leaves West Brunswick with the bye after four wins in a row.