Hoes complete monster comeback in Division 1

By Tom Feldgen – Division 1 Scribe

There was movement at both ends of the scale following Round 10 as St Mary’s Salesian shot up to top spot of Division 1, while Old Paradians got the monkey off their back by defeating Prahran Assumption and sending them to the bottom of the table in the process. It was another horrific round for tipsters across the land as question marks still remain over a number of teams within the league.

Old Mentonians landed a much-needed four points on the back of three consecutives losses. The Panthers led at every break, but it was far from a walk in the park, they only led by 10 points at the final break. OMs ran away to record a 23-point win at Gillon Oval. Billy Chapman was at his dominant best for the Panthers, while Brenton Schubert and Darcy Brown were their only multiple goal scorers. For NOBs Danny King was resilient and Michael O’Donoghue and James Bell were most prominent up forward with two majors each. NOBs are now precariously placed two points clear of the relegation zone with the lowest percentage in the competition.

St Mary’s Salesian have notched up their most important win for the season with an emphatic performance against Old Geelong. The Saints held an 11-point lead at half time and extended that to 59 by the time the final siren sounded, holding the Ogs to just two second half majors. With coach Jess Sinclair off on holiday the Saints had a day to remember. It was the definition of a team effort from the Saints with Cam Butler being the catalyst from defence. Ben Andrews produced a sublime performance including a big pack mark and Darcy Grant was solid. For the Oggers there wasn’t much to scream and shout as they now fall back to sixth position after a costly loss. Jock Grimshaw fought hard to kick three goals and Jason Barry was good all day.

Ivanhoe have pulled off the biggest comeback of the season as they turned a 38-point half time deficit into a miraculous and memorable 14-point win over PEGS. This could be the catalyst for a massive second half of the season for the Hoes who now only sit outside the top four on percentage. The Hoes were simply unstoppable in the second half, ramming home 13 majors to stun the helpless PEGS. Nathan Valkanis was dominant up forward with five and Keke Blackmore-Moore, Mitch Lovell and Lewis Minney all contributed three for the Hoes. Trent Skurrie was back to his best kicking a bag of five for PEGS, while Caleb Hislop was their standout.

At long last Old Paradians have notched their first victory over Prahran-Assumption and had reason to celebrate on Saturday evening as they launched themselves out of bottom position. The Raiders defied their position on the ladder to produce a stunning performance that was made to be even more impressive considering the absence of star player Adam Pattison. The Two-Blues on the other hand were quite simply hapless and were left shattered after turning in such a poor performance in the clubs most decorated player of the last two decades, Adam Sleight’s 200th game. Prahran-Assumption simply lacked effort and this was reflected in their lowest score for the season of three goals and six behinds. The only real positives for the Two-Blues was the fierce attack on the ball from youngsters Alex Simpson and Joesph Slattery. The Boundy brothers combined for seven majors for the Raiders and Sean Miller was dynamic all day.

A 10-goal haul from Therry Penola stalwart Jarrod Bannister was the driving force for a percentage boosting victory over Whitefriars at Fawkner Reserve. The Lions were slow out of the blocks kicking only one major in the first term, but then responded to blow the Friars out of the water kicking 17 majors to six after quarter time. Ben Ratcliffe and Jarrod Egglestone were also key contributors for the Lions, while Chris McDonald was the Friars best.

Round 11 looks as though it should be the easiest tipping round we have seen all season, but as has been the case all year… you have to expect the unexpected in Division 1. Old Geelong and Ivanhoe shapes as the clear match of the round. Old Geelong will be ropable after their disappointing round 10 performance, hence I am backing them to fight back and do the business at home in an extremely tight tussle. Therry should be too strong for NOBs, Old Mentonians will continue to inflict pain on the Two-Blues, PEGS will be too good at home for Raiders and St Mary’s will solidify their grip on top spot away against the Friars.

Round 11

Old Geelong vs Ivanhoe

Therry Penola vs Brunswick NOBSPC

Old Mentonians vs Prahran-Assumption

PEGS vs Old Paradians

Whitefriars vs St Mary’s Salesian

*Feature photo: Phil Skeggs