Vultures pip Bears to take perch on top

Jake Morris

UHS-VU have moved a game and a half clear on top of the ladder after surviving a late Kew run to grab win number 10. Elsewhere, Preston made it five on the trot after dispatching the Westies, the Two Blues and Saints grabbed important victories to remain in striking distance of featuring in September while the Lions made it five from six in a wire-to-wire performance over the Pirates.

Surviving an almighty scare to move six-points clear on top of the table was UHS-VU. Seemingly running out of gas in the final term, the Vultures allowed the rested Kew to make a big run and almost snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Facing an uphill battle with a 28-point deficit at three-quarter time, the Bears proceeded to kick five of the final six goals of the match, eclipsing that deficit in thrilling fashion, but ultimately falling three points short. Clayton Lund and Myles Legudi each bagged two majors for the Vultures while James Healey and Ben Anderson were outstanding in the victory. Max and Ned Waters were the Bears best while Richard Wilton kicked two in his fourth game in the side.

Despite the two-week hiatus not going in the favour of Kew, the Preston Bullants took full advantage of their mid-season break to bounce back in a dominating way, dismantling West Brunswick by 79 points. Holding the Magpies to their lowest scoring total of the year (27pts), the Bullants showed no remorse for the struggling side, bringing the pain early and pushing the result beyond doubt by half-time. Jack Sammartino boosted his yearly goal-scoring total to 30 majors with three while Jack Simcoe, Sean Calcedo, Liam Sutton and James King all kicked two, with King adjudged best afield. The win moves the Bullants above Oakleigh into third, and just one game behind the Bears for second. Joel Beer was named the Westies best with one major.

The importance of accuracy in front of goal and taking your chances is drilled into young footballers across the country every day, and this clash shows exactly why. Despite having just 24 scoring shots compared to their opponents 28, St Mary’s Salesian managed to outlast an inaccurate Oakleigh to run out six-point winners and keep their slim finals hopes alive. Louis Holmes was the hero of the day for the Saints, bagging four huge goals to help his side outlast the Krushers, while Cam Butler and Jack Hall were also inspirational in grabbing their sides sixth win on the year. James Hunt booted three in his biggest haul for the year while Rising Star nominee Emil Thaning and Tom Gillard were both shining lights for the Krushers. A disappointing result for Oakleigh who fall to fourth and are now just percentage ahead of fifth placed Therry Penola.

Grabbing win number five from their last six outings, Therry Penola have now moved into fifth and are in serious striking distance of September action after dispatching Peninsula by 26 points. Jarrod Bannister was once again the goal scoring machine up-forward, bagging himself another four and pushing his season total to 32 majors from just six outings. Brock Egglestone also chipped in with three while Anthony Tana and Robert Carr was both integral in the victory. Tom Feldgen was named best afield for the Pirates while Shaun Payze, Stefan Barbour, Josh Goudge, Ben Williamson and Will Harbinson all kicked singles in the loss. The defeat moves Peninsula down to sixth on the table, a game behind the Krushers (4^th) and Lions (5^th).

Our final clash for Round 12 saw Prahran Assumption take care of business via a 35-point victory over Old Paradians. Despite leaving some percentage points on the table with some inefficient kicking in-front of goal (10.19), the Two Blues secured the very important four-points to keep tabs on Peninsula and the Saints in sixth and seventh, respectively. Will Brereton and James Falcone each kicked three apiece while Brett Dickinson received the votes in the Two Blues fifth win on the year. Michael Boundy (3) was the force up-forward for the Paradians, while Josh Doherty was named his side’s best in what was their eighth straight defeat.