Animals gain separation in fight for survival, Westies strengthen top 2 claim

Angus Archibald 

Round 13 of Division 2 saw top four contenders MHSOB and Yarra OG fight it out in the only top-four clash of the round. West Brunswick’s big win over Hawthorn makes it difficult for them to be dislodged from second spot, whilst Emmaus St Leos recorded a win over relegation rivals Glen Eira in what could prove to be a season-saving victory.

Bennetswood Sports Ground played host to the hotly contested affair between Emmaus St Leos and the Glen Eira Saints, with the lower-ranked Emmaus coming away 15-point winners. Both sides had their periods of dominance with the Saints clawing their way back from a 13-point deficit at half time to be up by five at the final change. A massive last quarter from Emmaus saw them turn the tide once again and come out on top, keeping their season well and truly alive. Brent Simmonds continued his good form with a best on ground performance whilst Thomas Birkett booted three goals. Vaughn Colyer was best on ground for the Saints as he fought gallantly to will his side over the line with help from Julius Waras Carstensen and Mark Ramanathan kicking two majors each. The two sides now sit equal on points in seventh and eighth position on the ladder, one game clear of the relegation zone with five games remaining in the season.

Old Paradians keep themselves in the hunt for a finals berth with a four-goal win over Bulleen Templestowe. The game was tight with the Raiders holding onto an eight-point lead going into quarter time after a solid first term of football. The Bullants kicked back to lead by 14 at half time whilst also keeping the Raiders scoreless. But after regrouping at halftime the Raiders came out strongly, only allowing the Bullants to add a solitary point to their total whilst pushing themselves out to a 17-point lead going into the final change. The match remained an arm wrestle throughout the last quarter with Raiders adding the only goal to their total, finishing off a gallant Templestowe to come away with the win. Danny Nolan continued to find the big sticks kicking two goals after his haul of eight last week, whilst Christian White was best on ground for the Raiders. The Bullants’ Jack Cowell kicked two goals and featured in the best with a strong performance, whilst Brodie McLaughlin was voted best afield for the second time in three weeks.

The top-four clash between MHOSB and Yarra Old Grammarians was shaping as match of the round in Division 3, as a win for the bushrangers would put them two games clear of fourth with five rounds remaining. Yarra came out of the blocks kicking two goals to one in the first quarter, but the Unicorns turned it around with a strong second quarter performance to lead by eight points going into the major break. Their dominance continued in the third as they stretched their lead to 24 points with a four-goal quarter whilst restricting a frustrated Yarra to only one major. The last quarter was no different with the Unicorns adding another three goals, meaning they would run out 41-point winners after the final siren and still well and truly in the hunt for a finals berth. Mitchell Wilson continued to dominate for the Unicorns with a best on ground performance, whilst Nicholas Hawking and Steve Villani booted two majors apiece. Daniel Perry was best afield for the Bushrangers with a team high two goals to go with it. With two spots left in the four to play for, the final five rounds will be vital for both teams. Yarra remain in third position, a game clear of MHSOB and Old Paradians locked on seven wins each.

Second-placed West Brunswick faced bottom side Hawthorn at home in what proved to be a comfortable win. The Hawks started strongly to lead by three points at the first change, but after a wake-up call from coach Angus Hamilton the Magpies piled on 10.6  to 1.1 in the second quarter to go into the major break 56 points up. The Hawks responded and won the third quarter to trail by seven goals, but the game was already out of reach. Another strong six-goal quarter from the magpies blew the lead out to 83 points as they solidified their spot in the top two on the ladder. Christopher Germon booted five majors for the magpies in his best game for the season, whilst Dylan Muscat and Rhys Hartwig kicked three apiece. Justin Raiti was amongst the goals again for the Hawks with three majors, whilst Philip Avery was named best afield.

Prahran Assumption continued their winning ways, running out 74-point winners against mid-table Eltham Collegians. The Two Blues started strongly and never looked like being caught with a nine-goal-to-one first half keeping the Turtles at bay. Prahran continued their dominance in the second half, with Eltham only capitalizing on their opportunities late in the match to bring the final margin to 74 points. Gerard Hogarth kicked three goals for the Two Blues to bring his season total to 29, whilst Tom Freeman continued his strong season with another best on ground performance. Brent Gutterson kicked three of Eltham’s four goals to bring his season total to 31, with Bryan Galvin named as their best.

Round 14 will see Yarra OG given the opportunity to get back on the winners list against Glen Eira at home, whilst Hawthorn will get the chance to cause the upset of the season against Prahran out at Rathmines Road Reserve. Eltham take on a rampant Emmaus St Leos at Eltham College, with this eight-pointer looking to be a vital ladder shaping clash with only one win separating the two sides. West Brunswick look to mathematically solidify themselves into the top four in their clash at Ransford oval against Old Paradians. And in the final match of the round Bulleen Templestowe face a MHSOB side full of confidence after their big win at home in Round 13, a match that is sure to go down to the wire as the Bullants continue to fight for their season.