In the AFL and VAFA, the Magpies are flying

While this column has made no attempt to hide away from the fact that the Magpie on the Ivanhoe AFC jumper is flourishing in season 2022. The Magpies that swoop around West Brunswick have gathered a full head of steam and have positioned themselves beautifully with one game to go before the bye. 

As an unashamed Collingwood fan, it is some sort of a dream to see the AFL Magpies winning their last five matches. Ivanhoe AFC sit outright on top by two games, with the West Brunswick Magpies winning their last 4-matches after the heartbreak of an after-the-siren loss.

After a shaky start to the year, they’ve bounced back and on Saturday were able to keep Aquinas at bay from the first bounce. An inaccurate first quarter mattered little as the margin grew at every change to come away winners by 47 points.

Joel Beer (3) along with Ben Hutchins (3) were the targets in the forward line, as David Ferrier was able to do as he pleased in a best on ground performance. 

After a solid start to the season, Aquinas have now gone L W L W L since Round 7, according to the trend, they’re in for a win this week. The assignment however, is the ladder leaders Ivanhoe AFC. But, if there’s a side that can rally for a big game. It’s Aquinas.

The Hoers didn’t have it all their own way against MHSOB, the final margin of 30 points certainly wasn’t reflective of the game. Leading by just 1-point at the final change and the Unicorns sitting at 7.12.54, they could’ve put the game beyond doubt had it not been for inaccuracy in front of goal. 

Billy Drake (7) stepped up for the top side as they stormed home with six final quarter goals in a best on ground display. Ashan Wijayakumara (3) was back hitting the scoreboard for MHSOB, unfortunately though it wasn’t enough as the Unicorns fell outside the top 4. 

The opportunity to get back into the 4 relies heavily on this weekend, facing Old Parade at home, a team that caused them problems earlier this year. 

The Paradians are flying. After kicking just 1.9 in Round 5 against West Brunswick and sitting 2-3 on the ladder, they (along with Ivanhoe AFC) have been the form side of Division 2. Winning their last 6 matches and now sitting inside the top 4. 

It is a drastically different team that is running out now after a slow start to the season. Against Brunswick on the weekend, their half-time lead of 25 points was whittled down to scores being level at the final change before winning the last quarter and the game by six points in a thriller. 

Earlier this season the Wickers gave them a footballing lesson, and they’ve proved that they’re fast learners turning the tables on them this time around. 

After starting the season in a blaze of glory, Brunswick have now dropped two games in a row, both against sides in the top 4. The next challenge is the second placed West Brunswick. The team they overcame after the bell 4 weeks ago. 

It was something out of the Melbourne Demons playbook from Manningham Cobras during the third term against Bulleen Templestowe. Trailing by 13 points at half-time, the Cobras blasted home 8 goals in the third quarter to take the lead and hold on to win for the second time this season, by 15 points. 

7-individual goal kickers from the 12 kicked by the Cobras will go a long way to pleasing the coaching staff. The clubs first win since Round 3 and cuts a run of 6-straight losses.

The Ants, started the first month of the season at 2-1 have found the going tougher since, with a 1-7 wins and losses scoreline. 

This coming weekend, in the battle of the bottom four, Manningham have the chance to get out of the bottom two should they beat Yarra Old Grammarians. Bulleen Templestowe will be making the trek to Ross Gregory Oval to face Power House.

In their most emphatic performance of the season, Yarra Old Grammarians shut the door on Power House by half-time with 14 goals to two. The scoreboard was much more even in the second half, but the damage had already been done, and the papers had already been stamped. 

Liam Marshall (5) has now kicked 20 goals for the season, while Michael Scott (5) has moved himself up to 22. From his 8 games, having missed three, he may still be the front-runner for the clubs best and fairest if the count was stopped now. It was the toughest of tough lead-in’s for the men from Ross Gregory Oval. A COVID-19 outbreak impacted much of the playing group, causing significant team changes, coaching changes, team officials and staff.

So much so the club was forced to forfeit its reserves side and use the remaining fit players from the 2’s as top up players for the senior team. One shining light all year has been the form of Ben Circosta who again stood up, named their best and kicked two majors. 

Next weekend marks the end of the second third of the Division 2 season. It may shape how the ladder looks come the end of the season. Either way, the 8 sides chasing black and white stripes are going to have to do a lot right, to knock both sets of Magpies off their perch.