Tables are turning in Division 2

Jarryd McGuane – @JMcGuane

Round 7 has seen movement at each end of the table, with the top spot changing hands and a new side in the relegation zone after an eventful week in Division 2.

Prahran Assumption have ended the unbeaten run of West Brunswick, defeating the Magpies by nine points at Ransford Oval and claiming top spot on the ladder as a result. In a low scoring affair, there would be only one goal in the first quarter in the Westies favour as they led by four points at quarter time. The Two Blues arrested their inaccuracy issues in the second quarter as they kicked 3.3 to West Brunswick’s 1.0 to take an 11-point lead into halftime. Both sides had success in the third and after a two goal apiece quarter, the game was in the balance with the margin at 15 points. West Brunswick won the last quarter with four goals but it was not enough as Prahran Assumption with three goals steadied. James Musster was Prahran Assumption’s best on ground for the second straight week, with Jack Matherson their only multiple goal kicker with two. David Ferrier was West Brunswick’s leading goal kicker with two and William Sadler was strong throughout.

A strong half was the difference for Emmaus St Leos, as they defeated Hawthorn by 79 points at Bennettswood Sports Ground. Hawthorn sparked early as they jumped out to lead by 15 points at quarter time. The match would be back on even footing at halftime after a five goal to three second quarter where the Animals rode momentum. The Hawks could not break down the Animals after half time and failed to add any goals for the remainder of the game. Emmaus St Leos kicked two in the third quarter to lead by 15 points before a dominant nine goal final quarter blew the Hawks away. Sean Drummond was the Animals best, as six goals from Chris Beluszar lead the way up forward. Justin Raiti kicked two for the Hawks and was supported with a battling performance from Callum Bilton-Gough.

At Eltham College, MHSOB arrested their slump as they handed Eltham Collegians a 14-point home defeat. Both sides had success scoring in the first quarter, but it would be the Unicorns taking the eight-point lead into quarter time. The game would tighten up in the second quarter with two goals from the Turtles to MHSOB’s one to reduce the margin to four points at the major break. In a game where the momentum was always swinging, the Unicorns were able to take a 13-point lead into the final quarter. Both sides added four goals in the last quarter as MHSOB held on for the win. Kane Smith put on a best on ground performance with two goals to be their equal leading goal kicker alongside Nick Hawking, Lachlan Hood and Will Hellier. Fraser Cloney kept the Turtles in touch with four goals and Russell Elder was their best in defeat.

It was all Yarra Old Grammarians after quarter time against Glen Eira, and the Bushrangers came away from Packer Reserve with the 45-point victory in their swag. Glen Eira enjoyed their most productive quarter straight out of the gate as their 4.6 to Yarra Old Grammarians 2.5 allowed the, to lead by 13 points at the first break. The Bushrangers would seize control for the final three quarters as they only allowed two more Gryphons goals for the remainder of the game including a goalless last quarter. Yarra Old Grammarians took a 17-point lead into halftime and extended it to 22 points at three quarter time. Four Bushrangers goals in the last quarter put the game out of Glen Eira’s reach before the final siren. Nicholas Chamberlain was everywhere for Yarra Old Grammarians as he also added three goals to push his season tally to 20. Stuart Carey was the Gryphons best, with Ilya Fridman again leading the way up forward with three goals.

At Ted Ajani Reserve, Old Paradians moved out of the bottom two with a 37-point victory over Bulleen Templestowe. It was all the Raiders in the first quarter as they powered ahead with 4.4 to the Bullants 1.0 to lead by 22 points at the first change. Bulleen Templestowe would bring themselves back into the game just before halftime to trail by 13 points on the back of a three-goals-to-two second quarter. The margin would go back out to 23 points as the Bullants couldn’t muster more than one goal in the third stanza to the Raiders three. Another three unanswered goals in the last quarter was all Old Paradians needed to seal the win. David Huntley was the best afield on the day for Old Paradians, who had great support and output up forward from Danny Nolan who bagged five goals. Bulleen Templestowe only had one multiple goal kicker with Shane Dekeizer kicking two, while Matt Cowell was judged their best.

Round 8 opens up at Doncaster Reserve as third placed Yarra Old Grammarians host fifth placed Emmaus St Leos, who are only outside the top four by percentage. West Brunswick will look to get back to their winning ways as they head to Garvey Oval to take on Old Paradians. MHSOB return home to Melbourne High School to face Glen Eira, who is at the risk of falling out of the top four.  In a bottom-of-the-table clash, Hawthorn, who are still chasing their first win, host Eltham Collegians at Rathmines Road Reserve. Fresh off claiming the top spot, Prahran Assumption are again on the road, this time travelling to face Bulleen Templestowe at Ted Ajani Reserve.