Monders bounce back with Division 1 flag

Sig Arness

Another sensational six months of competition was punctuated by, like last year, a great grand final. Deservedly, the two sides that held front running throughout made it to the decider, where Ormond made amends for last year’s straight sets exit by claiming the prize. Highlights of the year included that pulsating last quarter of the GF, Oakleigh’s stunning run to vault into an at times unlikely third spot, and Aaron Cloke’s masterly century in front of the sticks.

Ormond

The Monders had retribution in mind following 2017’s inglorious finals exit and established the building blocks early, engaging in a ding-dong, season long battle with Rovers for supremacy, briefly grabbing top spot in Round 12. Thomas Buckley was the club’s leading goalkicker with 31, and also led the Monders with most votes in the competition B&F. Having seven or eight goalkickers with the ability to hit the scoreboard multiple times demonstrated the evenness of the team, and, subject to ins and outs, there is no reason to believe they can’t be competitive in Premier C.

Hampton Rovers

The Rovers will feel aggrieved at their failure to grab the ultimate reward, but their disappointment will be tempered by the consolation of a return to the premier sections. Having suffered the ignominy of a double drop in the past two seasons, this young side, which plays a fast-paced, exciting brand of football, dominated from April to August, only once relinquishing ladder leadership. They had the ability to put sides away in devastating fashion, although Ormond proved to be their nemesis, with one draw and three losses being the outcome of those encounters. The last game aside, nevertheless a satisfying season with promotion achieved and promising signs from a lot of youth. Joshua McPherson finished fourth in the goalkicking with 38, Campbell Hetherington, Samuel Clements and Daniel Corp were also efficient with the boot. Christian Carnovale and Ant Folino both finished top 10 in the Pepper Medal.

Oakleigh

Widely touted as being finals shoe-ins on the back of 12 wins the previous year, Oakleigh had it all to do to make that prognostication reach fruition when they sat 2-5 after seven rounds. Few envisaged the withering burst they then unleashed, winning 10 of their next 11, the only loss before the end of the home and away coming in Round 15 at the hands of Hampton. As some of the victories were narrow, there may have been an element of good fortune involved, but there was no luck attached to Aaron Cloke’s excellence as he marched inexorably towards the 100-goal milestone. A comprehensive Round 18 100-point demolition of Therry Penola, which allowed the Krushers into a hitherto unlikely third place, almost came unstuck in the first semi when the Lions’ stark form reversal saw them claw within a solitary point. Then, as if the irresistible charge couldn’t be sustained, they succumbed to Hampton in the prelim, finishing the campaign at 12-6 plus one finals win. The umpires saw the value of Cloke’s stellar season, awarding him third spot in the B&F just behind teammate James Hunt.

Therry Penola OB

Persistent, consistent and with the ability to beat anyone on their day yet frustrated by not getting their best side on the park often enough. One can only surmise that had they been able to get more than a total of 27 games (out of a possible 54) from Jarrod, Corey and Jordan Bannister, who between them kicked 116 goals, their fortunes may have taken a different trajectory. The combination of those three playing alongside Jarrod and Brock Egglestone, both top 10 in the Division 1 B&F voting, gives the side a very formidable appearance. The Lions improved from 8-10 and sixth to 12-6 and fourth, with a highlight being a convincing trouncing of Hampton in Round 12.

Prahran Assumption

Had their moments, spent a lot of time in the top four and were only effectively knocked out of contention in the last round. Newcomers to this division as the promoted Div 2 premiers, they acquitted themselves with distinction and were unlucky not to be in September action. Fresh off last year’s Fullarton Medal win (Div 2), James Musster had another outstanding campaign, with fourth place in this division’s version. James Falcone also had a great year, and there were goals aplenty from Jack Matherson, third on the goalkicking list with 48. The Two Blues were only denied finals by Oakleigh’s late charge, and if the likes of Matherson, Falcone and Harrison Taylor stick around, will be contenders again next year.

Preston Bullants

When the Bullants knocked over joint ladder leaders Ormond and Hampton successively in Rounds 7 and 8, eyebrows were raised and hopes elevated that they could be the real deal. That purple patch coincided with a stellar run of vote-gathering from eventual LS Pepper Medallist Sean Calcedo, who collected seven 3s and a 2 from umpires from rounds 5 to 12, thus keeping this prestigious accolade in the family, with his brother Dean having won 2 of the past 3. Yet the team’s fortunes went into decline from thereon in, and, whilst the wheels may not have fallen off, the tyres went decidedly flat and they limped, rather than charged, to sixth position with a 9-9 record.

West Brunswick

A couple of sizable early-season losses left the Westies’ percentage in tatters, and, despite keeping in touch on win-loss ratio, it was always going to be an uphill battle from there. A respectable seven wins kept the relegation contenders behind them, and their always competitive nature delivered a couple of unexpected wins. Bill Irving missed several games but was once again one of their shining lights, and recruit Jethro Calma-Holt was a real positive with 32 goals from 9 matches. Cormac Cashin and Bas Simpson were also standouts.

Kew

The Bears might have expected the drop from Premier C would present them with a less taxing challenge after a meagre three wins last year, but found the going tough from the start. They managed to avoid occupation of the relegation zone, then eased away from it with some improved showings in the latter half of the year, indicating that a launch towards a higher status is not beyond them. Goalkicking star Andrew Brazzale missed more games than expected, leaving too much of the scoring burden on the impressive Nathan Sambevski.

Brunswick NOBS

Staving off relegation with gutsy late season scrapping for the third-year running proved one bridge too far for the Nobs, despite the best efforts of star recruit and former Snow Dog Nick Burgin. Jed Carey and Dominic Sullivan kicked their share of goals, and Geremie Ganino was a standout in most of the 17 games he played. Overall, the lack of depth of personnel told, and three wins means we say goodbye to the boys from Alec Gillon Oval for at least a year.

Ivanhoe

The Magpies had hoped to improve on their six wins and seventh place from 2017, but instead headed in the opposite direction. Commitment was never in question, but as it turned out, their spirited win over fellow strugglers Brunswick NOBS represented their only success in a tough year. The Hoes simply did not have the firepower nor sufficient scoring options, with Lachlan Roberts (26) the only individual to kick more than 10 majors for the year.