Tough weather results in blowout Division 3 wins

By Ren Thompson – Division 3 Scribe

Melbourne put on a horrible day for Saturday afternoon footy, as tough conditions around most of the grounds resulted in some huge blowout wins. Hawthorn and Glen Eira remained undefeated, while a clear top four clubs has emerged with La Trobe and Albert Park extending their winning streaks. Lets check out the games…

Swinburne University AFC def. Aquinas OC

Swinburne overcame tough conditions to inflict a convincing 41-point drubbing of Aquinas, 57-16. Ben Higgins was the man of the match kicking three goals for the Razorbacks in the low scoring contest, as Aquinas were held goalless through third quarters which made for a hard day on their home oval. The only saving grace was Michael Di Donato’s last quarter major to save them the dubious honour of going the whole contest without a goal. Meanwhile Swinny again failed to score at least nine goals for the second consecutive week but it wasn’t for not trying. The lads kicked 15 behinds in the dominant display of footy and will to make it two in a row as they line-up against the Wickers next week.

La Trobe University AFC def. Canterbury Football Club

La Trobe thumped Canterbury by 65 points, 111-46, to extend their current winning streak to five straight games. Trailing after the first term, La Trobe poured it on in the second quarter kicking seven goals to take a 22-point into half-time. After the break they extended the lead on the back of Mitch Gleeson’s bag of five goals, while Elliot Kelly was best on ground for La Trobe who are currently in the midst of some scintillating form. The Cobras recorded their lowest score of the season, put it down to difficult conditions, but they now have lost five consecutive games and are tumbling down the ladder. A worrying run of form for those at ‘The Snake Pit,’ hopefully the upcoming bye week will allow the boys some time to rediscover their early season form.

Power House AFC def. Elsternwick AFC

Power House got back on the winners’ list with a 104-point thrashing of Elsternwick, 150-46, at Elsternwick Park Oval. From the opening bounce it appeared Power House was on a mission, looking to take out some of the frustration of their huge loss at the hands of Hawthorn in round 8. Power House kicked at least five goals in each of the four quarters, finishing with 11 individual goal-kickers all contributing to the enormous score. Declan Nannery and Matthew Devine were the spearheads each kicking four goals on the day but Domenic Mitchell was the star with his best on ground performance. After the high of last week’s win, Elsternwick crashed back down to Earth with the devastating loss, Justin Hunter was valiant in defeat kicking four goals. The Wickers forward now has 38 goals for the season, extending his lead to eight goals in the goal-kicking race.

Glen Eira AFC def. South Melbourne Districts

The Saints remain undefeated as their suffocating defence held South Melbourne to only 33 points as they ran out 54-point winners, 87-33. A quiet first quarter for both teams attempting to adjust to trying conditions at Lindsay Hassett Oval, the teams combined for only three goals. It was a five goal barrage in the second quarter however that broke the game open for Glen Eira, relying on Nathan Dennis and Justin Mills to lead the way. The duo responded setting up Alex Erwin-Ross who had four goals on the day, while Aidan Rawlings never gave up and was the best for the Swans but it wasn’t enough. The Saints now improve to an impressive 9-0 on the season and holding opponents to an incredible average of 56.8 points per game something that bodes well with their looming match-up with Hawthorn in the next round.

Albert Park AFC def. Parkside Football Club

Albert Park used a dominant second half to overrun Parkside by 47 points, 88-41, at Beaurepaire Pavilion. It was a tightly contested first quarter with the opponents only separated by a solitary point but it was in the second quarter where the Falcons began to take control of the game. Kicking three goals in the second, Albert Park took a 15-point lead into half-time and exploded in the final half kicking six goals that sealed the game as the Red Devils could only muster two majors in reply. Brendan Lonergan was Albert Park’s best, with Nicholas Materia kicking four goals in the victory. William Lay was best for Parkside who are still to record their maiden win on the season. While the Falcons have now won five of their last six games and surged to the top four of Division 3, a spot they will hope to keep as we head into the second half of the season.

Hawthorn AFC def. UHS-VU AFC

A 128-point walloping plus 13 individual goal-kickers equals another Hawks win this season. Hawthorn were relentless in their defeat of UHS-VU, 174-46, at Rathmines Road Reserve. As the siren sounded at the end of the first term, the Hawks were already 36 points ahead and it only got worse for the Vultures. UHS-VU fell to an insurmountable 84-point deficit at half-time and the onslaught continued after the break. Sam Gold had five goals in his man of the match performance for the Hawks while almost the entire team each chipped in with a goal. Ben Anderson and Lachlan Allen tried all day for UHS-VU but Hawthorn are unstoppable at the moment as they remain undefeated in season 2016, sitting now at 9-0.

Preview

For some teams the bye week couldn’t come at a better time. Some teams like Canterbury and South Melbourne will need the break to hopefully rediscover some winning form for round 10. Aquinas, the Wickers and the Vultures will be licking their wounds after sustaining heavy defeats hoping to rebound with wins but the story of round 10 with be the match-up of our two unbeaten teams. The Division’s best offence will meet the Division’s best defence in the salivating match-up between Hawthorn and Glen Eira. It has the potential to be the game of the season and I for one can’t wait for the ball to bounce at Rathmines.

Round 10 Tips

UHS-VU vs South Melbourne Districts

Canterbury Football Club vs Albert Park AFC

La Trobe University AFC vs Aquinas OC

Hawthorn AFC vs Glen Eira AFC

Power House AFC vs Parkside Football Club

Swinburne University AFC vs Elsternwick AFC