Bullants bite again, Monders edge past Lions in shootout

One week after dishing out Ormond’s first loss of the season, Preston Bullants backed it up with an 11-point victory over the previously undefeated Hampton Rovers. The Bullants came out firing at Boss James Reserve and kicked seven goals to two in the opening half. The first-placed Rovers hit back with six goals to two in the second half, but it wasn’t enough as they suffered their first loss of the season. Nine goals from eight individual goal kickers was the story of the Bullants’ day as they shared it around, with Connor Howard the only player kicking multiples. Coen Giali-Brosnan was named best afield in his first match for the Bullants, while Matt Rieniets and Adam Schaeche were standouts for the Rovers. The Bullants remain in third spot on the ladder but are now just one game behind both Hampton and Ormond.

The top four match-up between Ormond and Therry Penola lived up to all expectations as Ormond edged past the Lions by 17 points in a shootout at EE Gunn Reserve. With scores level 84-84 at three quarter time, the Monders kicked away with six goals to three in the fourth as both teams went past the 100-point mark, finishing the game 124-107. Thomas Buckley had a day out at one end for the Monders with seven goals, while Jarrod Bannister lit it up at the other with nine for the Lions. Alistair McCooke was named best afield alongside Isaiah Tahana and Buckley for the Monders, while Bannister, Brock Egglestone and Jonathon Mullins stood out for the Lions.

Oakleigh secured their third win for the season via a 103-point victory over Ivanhoe at Ivanhoe Park. Leading by 13 points at quarter time, the Krushers ignited with 15 of the last 16 goals and a total of 36 scoring shots to 13. Aaron Cloke was formidable up forward for the Krushers with nine majors taking his season tally to 49 from eight games. Patrick Ioannidis was named BOG for the Krushers, while Daniel Jones and Max Post fought hard for the Magpies. The Krushers take their record to 3-5 and sit in seventh spot on the ladder, three above the winless Pies.

West Brunswick improved their record to 5-3 following their third successive victory, this week defeating Brunswick NOBS by 33 points at Ransford Oval. The Westies trailed their local rivals by 10 points at the final break but exploded in the fourth term with seven goals to one. They did have twice as many scoring shots at the NOBS but struggled for accuracy with 13.23. Bill Irving was the main recipient in front of goal with four majors, while Tom Stokes was named BOG and in the best for the third time in the past four rounds. Geremie Ganino replicated his Round 7 form with another three goals for the NOBS alongside two goals and a standout performance James Schmidt. The Westies sit in fifth spot and on the same number of premiership points (20) as Therry in fourth, while NOBS are ninth with the one win.

Prahran Assumption proved too strong for Kew in their Round 8 clash at Toorak Park, running out 54-point winners on the back of a dominant second half. The Two Blues led by nine points at the main break but piled on nine goals in the third and fourth terms while restricting the Bears to just two. Brent Chapman (3), Jack Matheson (3) and Will Brereton (3) led the way on the scoreboard for the Two Blues, while Ryley Conlan kicked two and was named best afield. Jeremy Hannan kicked three of his side’s seven goals for the Bears alongside a valiant performance from Michael Henderson.