Clash of the Titans ahead in Div 3

UHS and Power House solidified their places on top of the ladder with comfortable wins; while Richmond Central made it two wins on the trot on the back of their drought breaking victory last week. After Round 6, four teams have a 3-3 win/loss record, meaning it’s still anyone’s guess as to whom we will see rise to the occasion at the pointy end of the season. At the end of next week, we should have a new flag favourite emerge as the two undefeated sides, Power House and UHS-VU, are due to clash in Round 7.

UHS-VU looked to extend their flawless start to the season as they invited seventh-placed Albert Park to Brens Oval. The Falcons would be looking to bounce back after consecutive losses to Canterbury and Richmond Central, respectively. The foundation of UHS’s success up to this point has been their defence, conceding the fewest ‘points against’ of all teams in Division 3. It would take a near perfect display from Albert Park to overcome the top-of-the-table side. Despite entering the match as heavy favourites, there would have been some nerves in the UHS camp at quarter time as Albert Park sprung out of the blocks having nine scoring shots to three. Unfortunately for Albert Park, their impressive first quarter would prove to be a flash in the pan, with UHS taking control of the game from then onwards, verifying their reputation as the team to beat in Division 3. The Vultures had 13 individual goal kickers for the day, with Mcgee and Everist each putting through three goals for the home side. Albert Park could only muster six scoring shots after quarter time, but it was always going to be a hard day for them coming up against UHS. For the Falcons, Liddiard continued his good form while Raeside was also one of the better players. It will be a top of the table blockbuster next week with UHS heading to the Ross Gregory Oval to face Power House while Albert Park have another tough assignment against third placed Westbourne Grammarians.

Richmond Central produced a big upset as they overcame the third placed Westbourne Grammarians. A one-sided game beckoned at Kevin Bartlett Reserve, but not many people would have thought that Richmond Central would control the game from the outset and come away with the four points. This means that the Snakes have their second senior win in 645 days after they broke their drought with a big win over Albert Park last week. The Warriors went into the game in reasonable form after two wins on the bounce, including a 111-point thrashing of South Melbourne. The Snakes win was set up by their first half where they held Westbourne to just the one goal and had 17 scoring shots of their own. In a bruising contest, Centrals were lead by Munro who bagged four majors and was adequately supported by Holland with three. Munro’s efforts see his goal tally for the season up to 31 averaging more than five goals a game. Tom Foott backed up his standout game last week with a best-on-ground performance while Goldsack and Brown were impressive. For the Warriors, Fenech produced his best game for the year while Jack Porter was dangerous around goal booting four of his side’s eight. Westbourne still sit in third position via percentage and will look to get back to winning ways against Albert Park next week.

After their clash on Saturday, South Melbourne will continue searching for their first win of 2017 while Power House’s unbeaten run continues. Power House were looking to put pressure on UHS at the top of the ladder with a big win and percentage boost, however, after a competitive first half, Power House led by a catchable 24 points. In the third quarter, the House kicked away which set up their eventual winning margin of 55 points. Given South Melbourne’s recent track record, they were admirable in defeat against a top two side, and hopefully this will be the turning point of their season. The main beneficiaries in front of goal for the House were Stubbs with four and Collett with three. River Carroll continued his excellent start to season snagging three of his own. Luke Money is playing a lone hand for the Bloods being named their best player for the fourth consecutive week as Kennedy was the only multiple goal kicker with two.

Point Cook went into Saturday’s game one spot above the relegation zone with only percentage separating them and Richmond Central. La Trobe went into the game with percentage the only thing keeping them away from the top four. A win for either side would be crucial as we approach the middle of the season. Point Cook had an excellent start to the game keeping the Trobers goalless and led by 19 points at quarter time. The Trobers worked their way back into the contest in the second quarter kicking four goals and reducing the deficit to 12 points. The Bulldogs offered stiff resistance with Groves being their most impressive player for the day kicking two goals as Milne and Grigg slotted two for themselves. However, in the last half La Trobe proved to be too strong and ran out the game 40-points ahead of the Bulldogs. It was a team-effort from La Trobe that ultimately got them the four points; They had 10 individual goal kickers with Gleeson (3), Hacker (2) and Neville (2) leading the charge while McDonald and Fendyk continued their good form. The Trobers will fancy their chances when they host Richmond Central next week while Point Cook will be looking to get back on the winners list against fourth placed Canterbury in Round 7.

Swinburne University and Canterbury entered into Round 6 after losses to teams below them on the ladder in Round 5. Both teams were looking to make amends this week, but unfortunately, there can only be one winner. Canterbury went into the game as favourites and would have fancied their chances against an inconsistent Swinburne side. Swinburne begun their quest for their third win in the best possible fashion having 11 scoring shots to the Cobra’s three. Through the good work of Murphy and Hummerston, who went on to kick six goals for the day, Canterbury cut the deficit to six points at the three quarter time break. With everything to play for, the Razorbacks proved to be too good, continuing their topsy-turvy year with a gritty seven-point win. For the winning side, Higgins booted four goals for the day and was ably supported by Manning and Close with two apiece. They will be confident in getting two on the trot heading into Round 7 as they come up against last-placed South Melbourne.