Wet weather provides mixed results and classics throughout round 1

Ben Black

Division 1 Men’s is back, and boy did it deliver some crazy results over the weekend. The weather proved to be a factor at some grounds around the division with a few results producing some very low scoring games.

A highlight was the 2022 Grand Final Rematch from newcomers Ivanhoe and West Brunswick, and seeing a classic unfold between Old Peninsula and Therry Penola. So, with that in mind let’s get stuck into it.

2022 Division 2 Grand Finalist and newcomers into Division 1 Ivanhoe and West Brunswick delivered a belter at Ivanhoe Park on Saturday evening. This night game has been a regular clash between these two sides.

The Magpies raced out of the blocks starting with three opening quarter goals that set the tone for the game. With the usual suspects shining for the pies like Josh Elston being a real competitor all game.

Ivanhoe then mounted a comeback in the second and third quarters with Close, O’Brien, Hunt all getting into the action by kicking crucial goals to keep them in the game. West Brunswick needed to answer to keep them back in the game and star forward Jacob Hyslop delivered on that and guided his team home winning a low scoring thriller kicking the final two goals helping them win by ten points.

Over at Packer Park the much-anticipated match up Glen Eira and Kew Bears took place. The Gryphons started strongly against the Bears, kicking four goals in the opening term, which ultimately was the momentum required to see them home, as it turned into a hard slog after quarter time, as the Bears found it difficult to convert in front of goals, finishing the game with a goalless.

Glen Eira had players such as Johnston, Chilcott, Smith-Cameron and Carey dominating most of the game which helped them over the line. Bears coach Ian Aitken will be hoping to see a better performance for the Bears next week.

Old Peninsula took on Therry Penola in a classic at the Harry McDonald Oval, the first half dominated by the Lions as they took it to the home team storming to a solid five goal lead at half time with Turner, Trimble, and Egglestone firing for the Lions. The next half was a complete turnaround from Old Peninsula producing zero goals, six behinds at half time. It was always going to be backs to wall football as they mounted a serious comeback that saw them gather momentum.

Initially slow going in the third quarter, it was really the last quarter that saw Old Peninsula stormed their way to victory. Lovett, Baczyk, Payza were all influence the turning of the game but forward Hillman kicking two crucial goals to see the Old Peninsula home from nowhere to win by eight points.

Over at the W.A Scammell Reserve Oakleigh battled it out against Prahran in a high scoring belter. The two teams trying to be back in finals for the first time in a while and it delivered. Prahran threw the first punches as they took a five-point margin into quarter time and from there the game swung to either side going goal for goal.

The forwards from either side took it to new heights as Aaron Cloke and Ashen booted seven goals for Oakleigh between them, whilst Prahran full forward Matt Clifford pounded five goals. Three quarter time it was still anyone’s game at 54 a piece with Oakleigh kicking more points than goals. The game went right down to the wire as Oakleigh got home kicking six goals in the final term seeing them get to a nine-point wine.

The final game saw Preston Bullants and UHS-VU take centre stage in Division 1 for the first time since 2019 at the W.R Ruthven Reserve. UHS-VU deadeye accuracy in the first term kicking six straight goals to one. UHS-VU had stars all over the park forwards Urie and McGee kicked their way to see UHS-VU take the first half.

They didn’t stop there as Preston were not able to match them, but they did have players like McLoed, Malkioun and Howard try help them over the line. However, this wasn’t enough as a strong UHS-VU side took full control of the whole game, taking victory over Preston.