Bears re-take top-spot as Pirates sail four-wards

Jake Morris

After holding onto top spot very briefly a few short weeks ago, Kew have reclaimed their hold on the minor Premiership in a demolition job of the Paradians. Elsewhere, the Pirates have moved into the top-four for the first time since Round 8 after they dismissed the Westies, the Saints and Krushers both kept their finals hopes alive with comprehensive victories while Preston made it eight straight victories after taking down former ladder leaders UHS-VU.

Piling on their highest score since Round 11 2018 and conceding their lowest score on record, was Kew as they thoroughly outclassed the Old Paradians by 125-points. The damage could’ve been a lot worse, with the Bears inaccuracy in-front of goal (18.27) left some valuable percentage points on the table. Matt Sharkey kicked six for the afternoon but as a team, 13 different players contributed on the scoresheet, not including Aaron Viney and Billy Shute who were given the votes in the victory. Most importantly though, the Bears recapture top-spot from the Vultures, and build a very handy 15% percent in the process. Chris White was the only goal-kicker for the Paradians who reach a new low.

Erupting out of the gates and cruising to their third straight victory was Peninsula, downing an inaccurate West Brunswick by 74-points to leapfrog the Krushers into fourth. The Pirates were electrifying from the start, managing to keep their counterparts goalless for the entire first half while booting seven unanswered to create an overwhelming 45-point margin heading into the main break, a lead they’d never come close to squandering. Posting his highest goal-scoring outing since September 17th 2016, Stefan Barbour booted eight goals in a memorable performance from the Bears star, despite this, Ashley Collins garnered the best afield votes. The Westies losing streak continues to grow, and despite being more competitive than the Paradians, still find themselves on the bottom of the table.

Keeping themselves within striking distance a top-four finish was the St Mary’s Salesians, as they downed Prahran Assumption by 22-points to mathematically end their season. Back-to-back scores of 100+ from the Saints after managing just four earlier in the year now sees their percentage climb over 103%, after sitting at just 96% a fortnight ago. A best on ground performance and season-high six goals from Louis Holmes, as well as three apiece from Hamish Heath and Jack Elliston was enough to lift the Saints to their third win from four games. The Two Blues were gallant for most of the afternoon, but an inaccurate third term which saw them kick 1.5 to 5.3 was ultimately what decided the match, ending their season.

Despite some fourth quarter inaccuracy which sees them drop from fourth to fifth, Oakleigh were able to handle a pesky Therry Penola outfit by 32-points. The Krushers used a fast start (6.8 to 2.3) to create a buffer between their counterparts, and despite some opportunities gone missing in the first term and the rest of the game (13.21), it didn’t cost them the four-points. Tim Scott (4) and Aaron Cloke (3) were the main goal-kickers for Oakleigh who will now set their sights on the vulnerable Vultures. The Lions mid-season purple patch may have finally come to an end, as they drop their second game in a row and fall to seventh on the table. Despite Kane O’Halloran having his way with the Krushers backline with a career-high seven majors, the Lions were unable to match the intensity of Oakleigh and fell behind early.

Lastly, the unstoppable locomotive that is Preston has now made it eight wins in a row and are showing no signs of slowing down after putting UHS-VU to the sword by 27-points. Holding an average winning margin of over 47-points over this streak and scoring under 100 only three times, the Bullants are officially on top-2 watch, sitting just half a game behind the second placed Vultures. Nick De Andrade claimed best afield honours for his side while Jack Sammartino kicked four and Tom Hill booted three in the victory. Back-to-back losses for the second time this year for the Vultures has them reeling, and with the Krushers on deck, their challenge to remain in the top-2 doesn’t get any easier.