West get the best of Animals in grand final rematch

By Jarryd McGuane – @JMcGuane

Round 8 of Division 2 has seen the top five sides separate themselves from the bottom half of the ladder with the top four sides all claiming victories.

In a rematch of last year’s Division 3 Grand Final, West Brunswick overcame a slow start as they defeated Emmaus St Leos by 28 points at Bennettswood Sports Ground. Emmaus St Leos started faster of the two sides and through the strength of four to two goal first quarter, they would lead by 12 points at quarter time. The slow start for the Magpies would not last as they slammed on eight goals in the second quarter to the Animals single goal to turn the deficit into a 32-point lead at the major break. Five goals after half time for Emmaus St Leos to West Brunswick’s four reduced the margin to 24 points at three quarter time to keep the Animals with striking reach. But this would be as close as they would get as three goals each would keep the margin to 28 points as the final siren sounded. Chris Simpson was the Magpies best, with Bill Irving and Zac Tisdale kicked five goals and four goals respectively. Max Catchpool was the best on for the Animals with Daniel Hill their major goal kicker with four goals.

At Kevin Bartlett Reserve, Preston Bullants ended the losing streak to defeat Richmond Central by 72 points. The first half was a tight tussle as only eight goals were kicked between the two sides. Both sides kicked two goals each in the first quarter as Preston Bullants would sneak out to a one-point lead. The Snakes would be held to only one goal in the second as three more Bullants goals had the margin at 16 points at half time. It took until the third quarter for Preston to blow Richmond Central away as five goals to two pushed the margin out to 35 points at the final change. The Snakes would be held scoreless in the final quarter as 5.7 for the Bullants in the last secured the victory. Reed Jepson was the best afield for Preston Bullants with Kent Beaumont kicking five goals. Jake Munro and Joel Luis kicked two apiece for the Snakes with Beau Mcgoldrick their best.

MHSOB good run of form has come to the end at the hands of Yarra Valley OB by 15 points at Melbourne High School. In a tight game were no side led by more than four points at any of the three breaks, MHSOB started on the front foot. In a three goal to two first quarter in favour of the Unicorns, inaccuracy hurt the Bushrangers as they trailed by four points at the first break. 4.2 to Yarra Valley OB to MHSOB 3.2 gave the lead to the Bushrangers by two points at the half. The lead would swap teams again in the third, as it was the Unicorns turn to lead by two points and they would take that lead into the final quarter. The game burst open in the final quarter as the teams combined for 12 goals, seven goals for the Bushrangers to snatch the victory and jump above MHSOB on the ladder. Benjamin Trend was the Bushrangers best with Lochlan Dickson putting through four majors. Jarrod Sherwin battled hard for the Unicorns and Beau Jellis kicked three goals.

Seven games into the season and still no one has look like taking away St Johns OC undefeated streak, as they defeated Bulleen/Templestowe at Ted Ajani Reserve by 68 points. Bulleen/Templestowe kept the game close in the first quarter as they only allowed two JOC goals to one of their own to trail by seven points. But after being held to one goal again, the Bullants allowed St Johns OC to kick four to lead by 27 points at half time. The game will be stretched out of reach for Bulleen/Templestowe, as they were held to a single behind and 6.6 for the JOC’s ran the margin out 68 points at the final change. With the venom of the match gone, both sides kicked 2.3 in the final quarter to keep the final margin at 68 points. Aaron Thornton added another seven goals to his amazing start to the season with Anthony Brannan best afield for the JOC’s. For Bulleen/Templestowe, Brodie Mclaughlin was named their best on as well as their only multiple goal kicker with two.

Round Nine starts with ninth placed Bulleen/Templestowe following up playing the top of the table side with a trip to Doncaster Reserve to face the inform fourth placed Yarra Valley OB. In a matchup of the winless sides, Eltham Collegians return from the bye to host Richmond Central at Eltham College. At the other end of the ladder, the second placed West Brunswick travel to Thomas Carroll Reserve to try to end St Johns OC unbeaten streak. The final matchup sees Preston Bullants host the currently out of form Emmaus St Leos to try and stay in touch with the top two sides. This leaves MHSOB with the bye after a long eight weeks.

Tips

Yarra Valley OB vs Bulleen/Templestowe

Eltham Collegians vs Richmond Central

St Johns OC vs West Brunswick

Preston Bullants vs Emmaus St Leos

MHSOB vs the BYE