NOBS not done

By Tom Feldgen – @tfeldgen

Brunswick NOBSPC have spiced up the battle to avoid relegation as they shocked a disappointing Ivanhoe side at Ford Park on Saturday. Corresponding results went in favour of NOBs with Old Paradians suffering a narrow loss to Whitefriars to leave them only two points ahead of Brunswick at the bottom end of the table. Despite a loss for PEGS against ladder leaders Old Mentonians, for the first time in recent memory the top four has remained stable with the Panthers holding a one game advantage at the top of the table and are now a firm premiership fancy after some consistent form of late.

We’ll start out at Ford Park where Brunswick NOBSPC continued the season long trend of at least one upset per round by toppling Ivanhoe to the tune of 18-points. Despite the near perfect conditions for football this game was a hard-fought, low-scoring affair that saw only five first half goals. At the main interval the Hoes held a one goal advantage, but could only manage four goals for the remainder of the day compared to NOBs’ eight. The victorious away side had a number of strong performers on the day, most notably Adam Oakley who is getting back to his very best form, Simon Harwood who was once again prolific in the ruck and the Kyle combo of Adams and Docherty provided three crucial goals each. Liam Jacob continued his strong form for the home side, as did Mitch Lovell who finished with two goals.

Old Paradians came ever so close to making it four in a row but instead fell short to the youthful and exciting Whitefriars. A win would’ve gone a long way to cementing the Raiders position in Division 1 for 2017, instead a narrow four-point loss has left them entrenched in the fight to avoid the drop. It was quite literally a tale of two halves at Garvey Oval. The Friars rammed home seven first halves goals to one and then the Raiders responded to storm home with 11 second half majors to fall just short. Jason Spencer, in his first game for the season was the difference with a seven-goal haul and best on ground performance for the Friars. Chris McDonald and Ryan Malt also continued their rich vein of form. Brent Fairley continued to hit the scoreboard for the Raiders with a bag of five, Marcus Nolan helped himself to three and Sean Miller fought hard all day.

In one of the two top four defining fixtures of the round Therry Penola secured a vital victory over a lack-lusture St Mary’s Salesian. In great conditions out at Pascoe Vale the Lions ran out convincing 38-point winners. The Saints would’ve been expecting much more considering the quality of their returning players. The Lions never seemed too troubled throughout the day holding a firm grip on the contest at each interval. The Bannister brothers combined for eight majors, with Jarrod kicking five and taking his season tally to 55. It was a double family act for the Lions with Matthew and Joel Costello both being amongst the better players. Michael Dolan nailed five majors and was best on ground for St Mary’s, while Jack Elliston was another quality performer. Despite suffering their third consecutive defeat after being outmuscled by the Lions, the Saints still sit outside the four on percentage only and are well and truly among the legitimate finals aspirants.

In the other fixture featuring teams from the top end of the table Old Mentonians proved too good for PEGS thanks to a clinical second half. The Panthers only held a four-point lead during half-time at Keysborough, but an eight goal to three second half was more than enough to secure the four points as they ran out 35-point victors. After accounting for another side on the cusp of finals the Panthers look as though they are well and truly over their mid-season form slump and are ready for an assault on September. Darcy Brown was named best on the day for the Panthers, his four goals took his season tally to 43. Luke Hull helped himself to two, while Aaron Hodges and Tim Speers also turned in great days at the office. Trent Skurrie provided a lone hand up forward with four goals to make it 12 in two games and the wiry Andrew Khallouf was PEGS’ best on ground.

Old Geelong simply did enough to take the chocolates over a determined Prahran-Assmption at Toorak Park. The Two-Blues look to have found some better form heading into the latter stages of the season as they do what they can to avoid relegation, however on this occasion they fell short by 19-points. The Ogs shot out of the blocks with a four goal to nil first term, which turned out to be the difference as the game was evenly poised for the remainder. The Ogs spread the goals nicely with five multiple goal-scorers. Ryan Parsons and Will Holmes went home with three each and Josh Hutley sustained his fantastic form of late with an eye-catching display. For the Two-Blues, Matthew Wall was great upon his return to the side, John Robbins kicked three of the best goals that Toorak Park has seen from deep in the pocket and Jack Matherson was the standout forward amongst the 44 players on the ground as he finished with six through the big sticks.

Round 14 features critical fixtures that will help shape both ends of the table. St Mary’s Salesian should be too strong for the Raiders, Old Mentonians will outmuscle the Hoes, PEGS will be too good at home for NOBs and I’m backing an inspired Two-Blues side to keep their hopes alive and defeat Whitefriars. The match of the round features Old Geelong and Therry Penola. The Ogs will be hoping for the return of George Burbury who is ever so crucial to their side and the Lions will be looking to make it two from two against fellow finals aspirants. I’m tipping the Lions to turn it on and have too much firepower for the Ogs in what will be a match to remember.

Tips

St Mary’s Salesian v Old Paradians

Old Geelong v Therry Penola OB

Old Mentonians v Ivanhoe

PEGS v Brunswick NOBSPC

Whitefriars v Prahran-Assumption