Cobras & Bloods run riot in Round 7

Jason Bast – @Jason_Bast

Another week of massive wins in Round 7 with Manningham and Aquinas the big winners of the week gaining huge percentage boosters going into Round 8. The Cobras had 54 scoring shots as they ran the game out 133-point winners over Masala down at WJ Turner Reserve. Aquinas managed 48 scoring shots as they smashed the Eley Park Sharks by 147 points. The other two games of the weekend had slightly smaller margins, however, they weren’t what you’d consider close games. Mt Lilydale trumped Parkside 104-48 and St Francis Xavier went down to Elsternwick by 43 points at St Francis Xavier College.

Masala FC 9.12-66 def by Manningham Cobras AFC 29.25-199

The Cobras came out of the gates on fire, claiming 10 scoring shots in the first quarter but, it was an inaccurate term from both sides as Manningham kicked 3.7 to lead Masala 0.6 and take a 19-points lead into the first change. The second quarter is where it got ugly for the Tigers as the Cobras had 18 scoring shots while they could manage just two. The margin at halftime had blown out to 80 points in favour of the Cobras. Manningham had an even better second half, stretching the lead out to 133 points by the final siren. Inaccuracy in front of goal was the only thing that stopped the Cobras reaching the mid 200’s, ending the match with 54 scoring shots to 21. Kane Maghamez was brilliant up forward for Manningham, kicking nine goals. Maghamez was greatly supported by Ayden Sukkel with five and Chris Jolly with four.

Aquinas 25.23-173 def Eley Park Sharks 3.8-26

It was again the second quarter that saw the goals come raining down in game two of the weekend. The Bloods’ were leading by 22 points after the first quarter and in the second quarter, 20 scoring shots to one pushed that margin right out to 91 points at halftime. Closing out the game by having another 22 scoring shots in the second half, Aquinas were another team who struggled to capitalise in front of goal, however, I doubt it bothered them too much finishing the game with a 147-point victory. Liam Whelan booted six majors taking his personal tally up to 36 goals for the season and moving further ahead on the goalkicking leader board, 12 ahead of second placed Jake George. Aquinas ended the game with 11 separate goal kickers, five of whom kicked more than one sausage roll. Leigh Booth kicked the Sharks’ only three goals for the match.

Mt Lilydale OC 15.14-104 def Parkside FC 7.6-48

Mt Lilydale jumped back on the winners list after the Bulls put an end to their winning streak in round 6. It was a tight first quarter with the Rams leading by 10 points at quarter time. They went on to stretch their lead out to 26 points at halftime before finishing out the game 56-point victors. Max Hampton added to his goal kicking tally with a great bag of seven as the Rams best player for the day. For Parkside, it wasn’t a memorable day out, but three players finished with two goals apiece. Thomas Canny collected best afield honours and was the lone bright light for the Parkside fans.

St Francis Xavier 10.10-70 def by Elsternwick 16.17-113

Another disappointing weekend for the X-Men, going down to Elsternwick by 43 points at St Francis Xavier College. Away to a quick start, the Wickers lead by 22 points at the first break and had increased their lead to 35 points at the main change. The Wickers continued to gradually boost up the margin with 16 scoring shots in the second half, before St Francis managed to put five goals on the board in the last term. Jaiden Peters kicked three goals while Brent Sheers and Fraser Spalding did their best for the X-Men. For the Wickers, Justin Hunter had another good week kicking a handful of five and pairing with Nick Myhal up forward who finished with three of his own. Josh Olver was outstanding for Elsternwick and was awarded best on ground.

Preview

Moving onto Round 8, and it could be another bad round for Masala as they’ll come up against powerhouse scoring machine of Aquinas at WJ Turner Reserve. Moving onto a match that shapes up to be a little closer, the Wickers will invite Parkside over to Elsternwick Park Oval 2 for a mid-table clash. Manningham will be looking to unleash some of the same dominance they displayed this week when the face the struggling St Francis Xavier at Koonung Reserve. Finally, we have the undefeated North Brunswick coming off the bye to play the Eley Park Sharks. On the goalkicking front we’ll be keeping an eye on Liam Whelan who could very likely take an even more demanding lead after this round.