Top 4 ready to tango in Division 1

Sig Arness

Round 7 delivered a farrago of the expected and the unpredictable; of interesting results and palpable disappointments. One team broke its duck, another suffered its first loss. The Rovers were left as the only unvanquished side and, at the other end of the scale, there may have been some lugubrious post-match countenances in the visitors’ rooms at Brunswick, where Ivanhoe had squandered their best opportunity to renourish their hitherto unproductive campaign. By Saturday’s end, the only alteration to the ladder was the swapping of fifth and sixth, and Oakleigh’s Aaron Cloke had extended his lead in the goalkicking race with another impressive haul.

At Scammell Reserve, venue of the only match-up that didn’t feature sides in close proximity to each other on the table, proceedings went according to script with Hampton Rovers always being comfortable against the seventh-placed Oakleigh. Aaron Cloke’s six goals were never going to be enough to topple the ladder leaders, whose team-oriented game was demonstrated by the virtue of having ten different goal scorers. 

The felicity in the Rovers’ camp was no doubt enhanced when news filtered through from Ruthven Reserve, where the Preston Bullants had exploded after a slow start and caused the round’s mini-upset by belting the previously unbeaten Ormond to the tune of 39 points. Amongst many multiple scoreboard contributors, Tindarra Hood stood out with four majors for the Bullants, while Chisholm, Coghlan and Kennedy were best for the Monders. 

Kew tried valiantly to overhaul a sizeable three quarter time deficit to West Brunswick at Victoria Park, but ultimately fell 8 points short at the denouement. Josh O’Bryan was productive for the Bears, while Bas Simpson was named in the best for the Westies. 

Prahran Assumption couldn’t hit the side of a barn in their encounter with Therry Penola, and by the time they registered their first major in the third stanza, the horse had well and truly bolted. Being able to only add one more for the game amounted to a day to forget, and having harboured aspirations of top four coming into this assignment, the Two Blues now find themselves a disappointing two games out. Brett Dickinson tried his hardest for the losers, while Jarrod Bannister contributed five goals to the Lions’ impressive victory. 

Every follower in the league is inexorably drawn to take some interest in the ‘romance’ of a mid-season clash between the winless cellar dwellers Brunswick NOBS and Ivanhoe, and who will be the one to register their first four-pointer. Despite Lachlan Roberts four goals, the Magpies’ slender half time lead was eroded and then easily eclipsed by the NOBS at Alec Gillon Oval. Dominic Sullivan’s four goals and Aidan Pollock’s efforts around the ground ensured the NOBS’ first win and their sights are now surely set upwards from here. 

PREVIEW

Early weather prognostications indicate that a damp start to the week will segue into a dry and sunny Saturday, bringing conditions conducive to football as we like to see it played. And what a Round 8 we have coming up, as the top four are pitted against each other. If that’s not enough, even the most perspicacious of observers will struggle to confidently forecast the results of some of the other clashes, where season outcomes are on the line – finals aspirations to remain – relegation fears to be avoided or at least delayed – bragging rights to be established. 

Undeniably, the Bullants (4th) are the owners of last week’s ‘performance of the round, when they knocked off the previously unassailable Monders. But, just as irrefragable is the notion, as indicated by their percentage, that Hampton (1st) are currently the best team in the competition. This shapes up to be a cracker. 

Ormond (2nd) will be smarting from last week’s capitulation, no doubt internally hoping it was an aberration. The Lions (3rd) have the firepower to inflict another glitch on the Monders’ progress, although the EE Gunn Reserve and the hosts’ desire for retribution will be difficult obstacles to overcome. 

The Hoers (10th) are by no means out of this contest, and a win would provide a massive fillip to their season. Containing or restricting Aaron Cloke to a reasonable total is vital to their chances of causing an upset.

Ransford Oval will be the venue of the first version of this year’s local derby, and with both teams coming off much-needed wins, the contest should be fierce. Results so far suggest West Brunswick (5th) start as favourite, but the NOBS (9th) will have taken confidence from their ice-breaker, and should give the Westies a run for their money.

In the final game of the round, 6th placed Prahran Assumption will take on 8th placed Kew at Toorak Park. Some may dismiss this clash as lacking real relevance, but rest assured the two combatants disagree. The Two Blues still cling to thoughts of moving back into finals consideration, whilst Kew would be more than aware that a loss will plunge them precariously close to the relegation zone.