Heartbreak for the Magpies, as the Unicorns move to top spot

Close finishes, a new leader at the top and a goal after the siren walked into a bar… Well they didn’t actually, but all three of those things did happen over the weekend. The top three teams are separated by percentage only and our early season front runners have been challenged in recent weeks, and not having it all their own way. 

The VAFA-My Sport Live crew headed out to Ransford Oval on Saturday for the annual Pride Game hosted by West Brunswick. It was an absolute thriller against the cross town rivals Brunswick. A tight affair all afternoon saw the lead change four times in the final few minutes of the game.

With the final kicks of the game, as the seconds ticked away, the Magpies were in front, however it was Lewis White the hero for Brunswick who took a big pack mark, and calmly went back to slot the match winning major. 

The victory keeps Tommy Hunter’s side at 6-1 although % has cost them top spot on the ladder. It will matter little for the moment as they savor the win! For the winners Aidan Pollock (3), Kristian Ciciulla (2), Paul Scamporlino (2) and Lewis White all had a hand in the goals while Matt Palmer and Ben Wilson were named amongst the best.

Luke Buckler at West Brunswick kept his goal tally ticking along with another 2, Ben Hutchins added three goals to his double last weekend while Lee Stringer was the best. For the Magpies they’ll lick their wounds and face up to Power House this weekend while Brunswick will travel out to Woodfull-Miller Oval and face the new ladder leaders MHSOB in a top of the table affair. 

The other top 4 battle on the weekend saw Aquinas take it right up to Ivanhoe AFC but a slow first half by the away team left them with a lot of work to do in the third and fourth term, falling short by 9 points. 

The Hoers set up the win in the opening half kicking six goals to two. James Course booted five in the win supported by Wesley Mayne and Nick Godfrey. Jordan Andonovski was named the best player on the ground for his role on the day. Aquinas regularly get goals from Matt Aver, he added another four on Saturday with Billy O’Loughlin taking his season tally to 10 after kicking three himself.

Aquinas return home to face Yarra Old and will be chomping at the bit to get back on the winners list after consecutive close-finishing losses, while Ivanhoe AFC face off against Manningham who are having a tough start in 2022. 

Manningham Cobras were given a front row seat to the MHSOB football show on Saturday after the Unicorns bettered their own highest score for the season from Round 6 with a thumping win. 

12 goals to five in the first half was the set up, another 12 goals to one after half time was the nail in the coffin. Julian Eimutis is relishing his return home, another best on ground performance that included six goals, it would have been a long time since he last kicked a half dozen in a game. He had some friends too, Scott Braithwaite (5) and Ashan Wijayakumara (4) were part of the fun. 

They’re a scary football side when they get moving the Unicorns, they have a full steam ahead mentality at the moment. 40 scoring shots last week, 47 scoring shots on Saturday. It’s the best possible way to hit a potential Grand Final preview this weekend against Brunswick. 

For the Cobras, Elliot Brandon-Jones (2), Anthony Raso (2) continued hitting the scoreboard and didn’t stop trying all afternoon, along with Luke Morris who continues to feature in the best. 

Old Parade made light work of Power House at Garvey Oval with an impressive 11-goal opening quarter. From there, the game ground down to a halt with five goals to two being scored for the rest of the day. 

The victory keeps Parade at 4-3 on the table, equal with Aquinas and West Brunswick who are all fighting for fourth spot. Blair Healy kicked four for the victors, with Thomas Cooper named the best player on the ground. For Power House, Ben Circosta and Sean Scotland kicked a goal apiece and were named amongst the best.

Round 8 has Power House back at home facing off against West Brunswick while Old Parade welcome Bulleen Templestowe who are hot-to-trot after another rousing victory. 

The Ants are playing footy in 2022 with real passion, enthusiasm and joy. Claiming a 44 point over Yarra Old Grammarians to round out the weekend. 

A six goal opening term gave Bulleen Templestowe early ascendancy. Despite the margin being cut to 20 points at half time, it didn’t worry the coaching staff as they took back the momentum in the third term.

Jack Cowell was the focal point up forward booting six goals, he moved to 15 for the year, with David Dakin (3) working in tandem alongside Cowell. Thomas Richards was a part of the best. 

At the Bushrangers, Michael Scott (2) and Liam Marshall (2) hit the goalface. They’re finding it tough going at the moment too. Can they turn it around this weekend? Aquinas awaits them.