St John’s takes their seat at the table as Swinburne survives another early scare

Billy Bolch

The great weather served up great football over the weekend that included plenty of high-scoring games. The round included a 15 goal haul, a new contender emerged, a scare to one of the division’s top sides and a night game.

What was tipped by many to be the match of the round, Masala hosted St Johns in another edition of the Dandenong Derby and the first edition of the Gary Williams Cup who was an incredible and key contributor to both clubs over the last decade. 

The game started off with the JOCs taking a 23-point lead into the first break. The second quarter saw St Johns extend their lead out to 53 points. The Tigers needed a spark coming into the third and they kept it competitive to begin with however, the JOCs were too strong and navigated their lead out to 79 points. 

The fourth quarter saw JOCs forward Rohan Scott put on a clinic kicking a bag of 15 goals as they were able to extend their winning record as they ran out winners by 92 points. 

Other multiple goal scorers for the JOCs include Michael Horton (3) and Steven Sullivan (2). For Masala, key target Declan Fowler had a good day in front of goals kicking 5. The best on ground for the JOCs was the previously mentioned Rohan Scott whilst others in the best include Ethan Hope and Corey Ely. The best players for Masala, featured defenders Jeremy Bondoux and Jake Dunkley, first-time captain Tom Williamson and second-year midfielder Cam Young.

Masala will look to rebound as they face an Eley Park side they defeated not long ago, whilst St John’s look to extend the gap at the top as they face Albert Park.

Swinburne and Eley Park were coming into their clash following big losses and in need of a win to get back on track. Eley Park got off to the better start as they went into the first break with a 2-goal lead at quarter time. The Razorbacks would then have the better second quarter however would still trail at the major break by 7 points. 

The game was anyones for the taking and in the third term the Razorbacks seized control as they won the quarter taking a 12-point lead into the final change. The Razorbacks continued their control over the Sharks in the fourth as they kicked the first 4 goals of the quarter to run out winners by 26 points. 

Although a comfortable win in the end, the first three quarters showed a fierce Eley Park side bring the fight to Swinburne. The way in which the Razorbacks responded showed why they are a top contender in 2022. 

Goalkickers for the Razorbacks included Trent Ryan (5), Luke Mcmanus (4), Lachlan Randello (2) and Sam Hodges (2). The main target up forward for the Sharks was Ben Field with 4 goals, his biggest haul of the season. Swinburne’s best included Jen Toner, Lachlan Randello and Zachary Lassey. Eley Park’s best included Shannon Blewitt, Tyler Fent and Jarrod Newton. 

Swinburne will now have their first bye of the season before they regain some key players and face off against St Johns in round 10. Eley Park will look to bring the same fight in round 9 as they face Masala at home. 

Round 8 saw the first night game of the season as Albert Park hosted Box Hill North in a high scoring clash. Both teams started strongly with a combined 10 goals but it was the Falcons who held a 14-point lead at the first break. 

The second quarter brought in a more defensive element as a combined three goals were kicked. The Falcons further built on their half time lead in the third adding another 4 goals going into the final change 35 points ahead. The final quarter saw both teams bring back their attacking styles as we saw a combined 9 goals. At the final siren, it was the Falcons who ran out winners by 42 points in what was a high scoring contest. 

Falcon Reece French-Lightfoot was the main target up forward with 6 majors whilst other contributors for the Falcons included Brett Tottenham (4), Alistair Lupo (3) and Jack Twite (2). For the Demons, Peter Cassidy-Marsh and Thomas Cheslett shared the goal-load with 3 goals each with Lachlan Gawley-Price also contributing (2). The best for Albert Park include Justyn Kennewell, Jack Lee and the previously mentioned Reece French-Lightfoot. The best for the Demons include Findlay Hanna, Sean Donovan and Rowan Lawrence.

Albert Park will look to continue their winning ways as they face one of the most in-form teams in St Johns. Box Hill will face another inform team as they host La Trobe where they look to record their first win of the season.

Bye: La Trobe