Depth on display as Saints claim the top spot

Brin Duggan – @BrinDuggan

Where in the world are all the VAFA players? It seems every club has players seeking warmer tidings abroad. From Kiev to Carolina and Crete to Positano, players are flocking from the bitter cold that has besieged Melbourne. Fear not spectators, the standard of football is still terrific, a true testament to the depth of our Division 1 teams. That being said, the unpredictable results we saw in Round 12 will be sure to keep things interesting as we head into the final third of the season.

The in-form Hoes trudged from Ivanhoe to Brunswick in the hope that they could add another victory between them and a fellow bottom five dweller. The Hoes went into the contest favourites but the NOBs were always going to bring the heat; and so they did for the first quarter, almost solely through gun forward, Chris Ford, who kicked his side’s three first quarter goals. The wind chill picked up from then for the NOBs as they found themselves trailing by 17-points at half time and then 36 at the final break to eventually fall by 39. Had the Hoes not been inaccurate, the score line may have looked even worse. Positively, two debutants in James Schmidt and Nick Kelly were named amongst the NOBs best players, providing hope for the remainder of the season. For Ivanhoe, Reuben Blackmore-Moore continued his solid form and booted three goals in a dominant performance.

Ormond went into round 12 hoping to steal the beans from SMS; with a number of players from both teams chasing the Italian sun, this was a difficult one to tip. However, SMS proved to be the better side and their win has consigned Ormond to an arm-wrestle with Oakleigh for fourth spot. A relatively slow opening half was compounded by accurate goal kicking from SMS resulting in a 26-point Saints victory. The Monders will be bitterly disappointed having lost the chance to claim a major scalp but can thank Luke Duthie who, doing his best Dan Ryan impersonation, booted five goals, making it 18 from the last three games. For the victors, it was Manny Dolan who returned to centre stage with six majors, including his 50^th for the year. Big Nick Alexopoulos also added four to the scoresheet in a BOG performance and was yet another one of the Saints’ chief destroyers.

Out west, it was the Lions that ransacked St Johns of the four points, and some of their spirit. In an important match, in terms of ladder positioning, the Jocs would have gone in confident their best could get the W. Unfortunately, their best was not on show. On the flipside, Therry came to play and understood the importance of the match. A tight scoreboard at half time, just ten points the difference, did not tell the tale of the match with Therry clearly on top. Half time did the Lions wonders, as they rejuvenated and raced out to a 51-point victory on the back of a huge final quarter in which they finally converted on the scoreboard. Corey Bannister made light work of the Joc defenders on his way to seven snags while Jarrod “how do you like ‘em” Egglestone played a brilliant game through the middle. In a dispiriting loss, Aaron Thornton, as usual, found the sticks with four goals while Josh Mourant played his finest game for the club.

In another important game, Oakleigh stood tall and knocked off former ladder leaders PEGS. I would like to say it was an upset but I did tip them! On a huge day for the Oaks, an all-conquering first half indicated the danger they pose if they can crack into the four come September. They were on top of the ladder leaders by 45-points at half time and Aaron Cloke and Trevor Bromley were making a mockery of the best defence in the comp. However, on the back of customarily strong performances from Bob Baddeley and Brad Jones, as well as a half time spray, PEGS booted nine goals in the third to reduce the margin to just 11-points. They left too little in the tank though, and Oakleigh were able to hold on by 10-points. Cloke finished with eight goals while Bromley bagged six to help drag their side over the line. Trent Skurrie, unsurprisingly, managed five of his own for PEGS. The loss, combined with St Mary’s win saw PEGS relinquish top spot.

The final game of the round had Preston making Whitefriars stick ‘em up while they pick pocketed the points. It was a result that most saw coming, yet, to their credit, the Friars put up a huge fight. Daniel Kaldor was amid his best game for the season and the Friars actually led Preston coming into the main break. A tale of their season though, inaccuracy marred Whitefriars’ pursuits as they had plenty of chances to blow the game open. As it was, Preston wrestled back the match to lead by 10-points at the final break. A seven goal last quarter, on the heels on excellent play from Daniel Wakim across the match, was enough to see the Bullants home by 33-points. The margin played a fool to the casual observer in what was a tight game. Angus Hands was typically brilliant for Whitefriars and probably has his hands on an end of season award. For Preston, it was, once again, the effervescent Damon Marcon who stole the show.

A tantalising Round 13 has plenty in store for Division 1 spectators as plenty of players return from mid-season holidays. SMS will welcome Therry to Ferndale Park as they look to strengthen their grasp on top spot; I can see that happening, easily – Saints by 65. Meanwhile, PEGS will be looking to bounce back against Ivanhoe; it will not be easy going though, and I actually think the streaking Hoes will claim this one. The Jocs host Whitefriars in a bottom two battle; on the back of Angus Hands, Whitefriars should win. In the most important game so far, Oakleigh host Ormond; this may decide fourth spot and it will be a scintillating affair – If you are not doing anything, get down to W A Scammel Reserve and watch it. My heart says Oakleigh by one point, after the siren (Trevor Bromley, I’m looking at you). Finally, Preston host Brunswick in what should be a straightforward affair – Bullants by 30.