Unicorns and Turtles claim big scalps, Two Blues sit clear on top

Jarryd McGuane – @JMcGuane

Round 12 of Division 2 started to separate sides in the top three as West Brunswick and Yarra Old Grammarians unexpectedly dropped games to sides fighting it out for fourth place. Prahran Assumption continued on their merry way, recording yet another big win and now find themselves sitting one game clear on top of the ladder. The Two Blues are now an absolute certainty for a top two finish and a double chance come finals time.

Old Paradians remain just outside of the top four by percentage as they defeated Emmaus St Leos by 42 points at Bennettswood Sports Ground. The game remained tied at quarter time after both sides managed 4.3 in first term. The Raiders would take control of the game in the second with a four-goal-to-one quarter to open up a 23-point lead at the major change. The momentum remained with Old Paradians as they corrected their inaccuracy issues and added eight straight to the Animals three goals to put the game beyond doubt with a 49-point margin. Emmaus St Leos would win the final quarter, kicking five goals to four, but it was too late to overrun the Raiders. Danny Nolan was the best for the Old Paradians, while he led the way up forward with eight goals. Thomas Birkett was the Animals leading goal kicker with six goals and was also their best.

Yarra Old Grammarians missed an opportunity to gain ground on second place, as they fell to Eltham Collegians by Doncaster Reserve. The first two quarters went in a similar pattern, with the Turtles holding control with five goals to two in each quarter to lead by 36 points at halftime. Yarra Old Grammarians were unable to stem the tide and would be unable to add more than four behinds, as Eltham Collegians slammed through eight goals to be 71 points up at three quarter time. After another five goal to two quarter to close out the game for the Turtles secured the large win. Luke Drakes was dominant for the Eltham Collegians with six goals and a best on ground performance. For the Bushrangers, Nicholas Chamberlain again was their leader up forward with three goals and David Wildsmith was their best.

Melbourne High School played host to the biggest upset of the season so far, with the red hot Unicorns downing West Brunswick by 14 points. The Unicorns got off to a flier with five goals to the Westies one to lead by 22 points at the first change. West Brunswick were back in the game in the second quarter as they reduced the margin to 16 points on the back of three goals to two. The game would be in the balance with the margin at nine points at three quarter time following a more open scoring quarter. The Westies had the ascendancy and kicked six for the quarter but allowed four Unicorn goals. MHSOB settled in the final term with three goals to one to maintain their fourth position on the ladder. Kane Smith was the star of the day with five goals for the Unicorns and was the best afield. Tom Stokes and Rhys Hartwig kicked three goals each for the Westies, as Bas Simpson was valiant in defeat.

Prahran Assumption are now all alone atop the Division 2 ladder following a 52 point victory over Glen Eira at Packer Reserve. It could have been worse for the Gryphons as the Two Blues were extremely inaccurate in front of goal. Prahran Assumption would have 23 scoring shots to Glen Eira’s 10 at halftime but only would lead by 38 points. The third quarter was a near stalemate with the Two Blues 2.3 to the Gryphons 2.1 slightly extended the lead to 40 points at the final change. Glen Eira would be no match for the top-of-the-table side in the last quarter, as a further four goals for Prahran Assumption to two goals sealed the result. John Stocker was the best on the ground for the Two Blues, with Gerard Hogarth well supplied to kick six goals. Glen Eira managed to get eight single goal kickers with Julius Waras Carstensen continuing his strong season.

Rathmines Road Reserve was the location of the highest-scoring game of the Division 2 season, with Hawthorn falling 44 points short of Bulleen Templestowe. The Bullants and Hawks combined for 16 goals in the first half, as Bulleen Templestowe led by 10 points at halftime. Despite a strong four goal third quarter for Hawthorn, it would not be enough to reduce the margin, with six goals from the Bullants extending the margin out to 22 points at the final change. In most games, if you could manage five goals in the last quarter you would be a good chance to claim the win. This was not the case for Hawthorn as their five goals quarter was trumped by eight Bulleen Templestowe goals to see another winnable game slip through the Spartan’s fingers.

Round 13 for Division 2 opens up with Emmaus St Leos and Glen Eira trying to end their losing streaks at Bennettswood Sports Ground. Old Paradians continue their push for a top four spot against Bulleen Templestowe at Garvey Oval. In the only match up of the round with two top four teams, third placed Yarra Old Grammarians travel to Melbourne High School to face in-form MHSOB. West Brunswick will like their chances to get back on the winners list hosting winless Hawthorn at Ransford Oval. Prahran Assumption will need to hold off a flying Eltham Collegians at Toorak Park to maintain their top spot.