Unicorns continue run, top 4 remains unchanged

Jarryd McGuane – @JMcGuane

The top four remains unchanged after Round 10 with all four teams serving up some convincing victories. Fifth-placed Eltham Collegians also recorded a comfortable victory to stay hot on the heels of the in-form Unicorns for a spot in the finals. There’s still only one game separating fourth spot and eighth spot on the ladder, meaning finals spots are still well and truly up for grabs.

MHSOB remain the form team of Division 2 with a 45-point victory over Emmaus St Leos at Bennettswood Sports Ground. The Unicorns took control of the game in the first quarter, with six goals to three, to jump out to 21-point lead at quarter time. MHSOB would extend that lead to 30 points by halftime, with a further four goals to two in the second quarter. The Animals worked themselves back into the game with five goals to the Unicorns two in the third, to have the game in the balance at 12 points at the final break. But for Emmaus St Leos that would be as close as they got as MHSOB to kicked five unanswered goals in the final term to close the game. Timothy Campelj was the Unicorns best as they were led up forward by Nicholas Hawking’s seven goals. Miguel Hawa kicked four goals for the Animals, with Jesse Gannon their best.

Yarra Old Grammarians have inflicted more pain upon Hawthorn with an 81-point thumping at Doncaster Reserve. The Bushrangers jumped out of the gate and had complete control in the first half as they led by 16 points at quarter time and 40 points at major break. Hawthorn had their most success on the scoreboard in the third quarter with three goals, but allowed another six for Yarra Old Grammarians to see the margin extended to 60 points at three quarter time. The Bushrangers sealed the result in the last with four goals to one. Jack Hall was best on ground for Yarra Old Grammarians and added four goals. Kade Pargeter also kicked four goals for Hawthorn, as Michael Larkin was their best in defeat.

Old Paradians took it up to top of the table Prahran Assumption, but would fall 25 points short at Garvey Oval. In a low scoring start, the Two Blues led by seven points at quarter time. The Raiders have shown signs of growth in the previous rounds and showed off their development as they put on four goals to one to take a 12-point lead into halftime. That would be the impetus that Prahran Assumption needed as they kicked four unanswered goals in third to turn the tables and lead by 17 points at the final break. Three goals for the Two Blues to the Raiders two in the last quarter decided the game. Paul Donahoo was best on the ground for Prahran Assumption, with the damage done up forward by Gerard Hogarth and Adam Sleight with three goals each. Michael Boundy was Old Paradians only multiple goal kicker with two and Ryan Jeffery their best.

Glen Eira has continued their form slump, with Eltham Collegians coming away from Packer Reserve with a 25-point victory. The Gryphons started better of the two sides as the led the Turtles by five points at quarter time. Eltham Collegians flicked the switch after quarter time with five goals to two in the second quarter to take a 16-point lead into the break. Both sides added two goals in the third quarter with inaccuracy in front of goal for Glen Eira reducing the margin to 12 points. But the Turtles settled in the last quarter with four goals to two. The hard-fought win sees Eltham Collegians leapfrog Glen Eira on the ladder into fifth spot. Bryan Galvin was best on ground for the Turtles, as Brayden Meade with three goals was the game’s most dominant forward. Ben Fullerton was the Gryphons’ best, while Vaughn Colyer and Mark Ramanathan each kicked two goals in their loss.

A last quarter burst was enough for West Brunswick to get over the top of Bulleen Templestowe by 18 points at Ransford Oval. The Bullants took the early lead with three goals to one in the first quarter and the margin sat at 10 points at the first break. The Westies got back into the game in the second quarter with four goals to two for a slim two-point halftime lead. Both sides opened the game up in the third quarter, with Bulleen Templestowe’s five goals to West Brunswick’s four gave them a six-point lead heading into the final quarter. But the Westies class shone through in the final term, as they kicked seven goals to three to claim the four points. William Sadler was West Brunswick’s best with three goals each from Rhys Hartwig and Samuel Devlin leading the way up forward. Rob Edsall kicked four goals for the Bullants and Luke Stacker was their best.

Round 11 opens up with Eltham Collegians chasing a top four spot hosting second placed West Brunswick at Eltham College. Garvey Oval plays host the matchup of two improving sides, Old Paradians and MHSOB. Hawthorn still chasing their first win and will have high hopes as they host the sliding Glen Eira at Rathmines Rd Reserve. Bulleen Templestowe nearly got back on the winners list and will be up against it with Yarra Old Grammarians coming to Ted Ajani Reserve. The final game of the round has Prahran Assumption hosting Emmaus St Leos at Toorak Park.