Bloods end the Cobras’ perfect run

By Ren Thompson – Division 3 Scribe

Goal Frenzy

Only two unbeaten teams remain, with Aquinas ending Canterbury’s perfect start. Elsternwick’s spearhead Justin Hunter remains the goal kicking leader with 20, but Hawthorn’s Jason Ince inches closer with another big haul. While the pack chasing the ladder leaders got tighter with some surprising results. It was another competitive round in Division 3, let’s check out the games…

Aquinas OC def. Canterbury Football Club

Canterbury were the first of the undefeated teams to lose this season as Aquinas proved too strong for the Cobras winning by 33 points, 121-88. The Bloods began with a stellar first quarter kicking seven goals to two and dominated the day recording an impressive 19 goals. Sam Williams and Tim Niezen each kicked a bag of five majors while Lachlan Barnes put in another best on ground performance controlling the middle of the park. The Cobras had no answers for Aquinas’ attack in their first bad game of season 2016, with a red hot Saints coming into Canterbury Sportsground next week it will be another tough test for the Cobras. While Aquinas are still searching for consistent form which has eluded them so far, hopefully this strong result gives them confidence to build on going forward.

UHS-VU AFC def. Parkside Football Club

The Vultures are flying at the moment after recording their second straight victory with a come from behind win against Parkside, 118-77. The Red Devils gave everything they had in the first quarter jumping out to a 25-point lead at the siren. However, UHS-VU fought their way back into the game, wrestling back the lead by half-time and kicking away in the second half to be the eventual 41-point victors. Jack Saill was ‘the man’ for the Vultures, orchestrating the amazing comeback while Mitch Sweeney kicked another haul of goals with four.  UHS-VU will look to continue this turn of form as they visit a reeling Elsternwick and try to make it three in a row. Parkside showed glimpses of brilliance in what was another tough day on the park in 2016. Maybe the familiar surroundings of home, as they host La Trobe, might be the key to unlock their first win of the year.

Hawthorn AFC def. Elsternwick AFC

Hawthorn are currently in the midst of a devastating run of form as it was Elsternwick who felt their wrath to the tune of an 82-point drubbing at Sportscover Arena. The Hawks had 11 individual goalkickers but it was Jason Ince who was the spearhead with another six goals, taking his season total to 19, second best in the division. While for the Wickers it was Justin Hunter again who was among their best, recording another four goals to move to 20 on the season and leading the competition. But the story was all about Hawthorn’s domination that is becoming a weekly occurrence. It is going to take a Herculean effort from one of the other 11 clubs to knock these Hawks from their perch at the moment.

Albert Park AFC def. South Melbourne Districts

The Falcons used a commanding first half of footy to record their second win in succession as they defeated South Melbourne, 90-71, at Lindsay Hassett Oval. Nicholas Materia put together another best on ground performance for Albert Park, while Stuart Maunder booted five goals in his first outing of the season for the Falcons. John Eastman and Steve Clarke started the fightback for the Swans, getting them to within a kick at the end of the third quarter. However, a tense final quarter in which the only two goals scored, both by the Falcons, was enough to get them over the line as 19-point winners in the game of the round.

Glen Eira def. Power House AFC

The Saints showed once again why they are the best defence in Division 3 as they held Power House to only 52 points, recording 22 goals themselves and winning the game by 90 points, 142-52. After a tight first quarter where Glen Eira held the lead by a single point, they relied on familiar names of Matthew Cassidy, Julius Waras Carstensen and Alex Erwin-Ross to break the game open. The trio combined for 13 goals, while the Saints’ backlines held Power House to only four goals in the final three quarters. Power House with their second loss in a row tumble into the bottom half of the ladder. While the Saints are flying, still undefeated in 2016, and take their suffocating defence to Canterbury Sportsground in what will be one of their biggest challenges of the early season.

La Trobe University AFC def. Swinburne University AFC

It was a tightly contested game through three quarters at St. James Park, but a final quarter barrage by La Trobe where they kicked six goals to one sealed the game. As La Trobe defeated Swinburne by 43 points, 120-77. Michael Burrowes starred in a best on ground performance for La Trobe, while upfront Bryce Dowler kicked four in the victory. Swinny remained competitive because of Richard Lugg and Danny Manning each kicking three goals but the team failed to fire when the game was on the line. That’s three wins from the last four games for La Trobe, and with Parkside up next they should be able to make it two in a row. Swinny will look to rebound against Power House at Ross Gregory Oval.

Preview

Glen Eira travel to Canterbury this week, which will give the Saints’ the biggest challenge of the young season and the best test of their defence so far. The Vultures and the Bloods found some form in Round 5, and look to extend that winning feeling for atleast another week. Hawthorn will make quick work of the Swans to remain undefeated, while Swinny and Power House are both desperate for a win to revitalise their 2016 campaigns.

Round 6 Tips

Canterbury Football Club vs Glen Eira AFC

Elsternwick AFC vs UHS-VU AFC

Albert Park AFC vs Aquinas OC

Parkside Football Club vs La Trobe University AFC

Hawthorn AFC vs South Melbourne Districts

Power House AFC vs Swinburne University AFC