The Devils Take Revenge as St Mary’s have plenty to sing about

Chris Ciampoli

Division 2 Men’s came out firing for a gripping third round as the ladder begins to hint at the behemoths of the division. 

Old foes Parkside and South Melbourne Districts met for the first time since the thunderous Division 3 grand final was swept up by the swans. 

This time it was Parkside who had the last laugh on Saturday with a commanding 48 point win at home. The Swans stormed to to Pitcher Park with a roster filled to the brim with talent, Sfetkidis and Andrew, a miracle goal from Clifford forty metres out. Regardless of their creativity with the footy the Swans couldn’t keep up with the quick ball movement of the Devils.

Hamilton proved his value once more, dominating with his height in the air yet still crumbed like a seasoned veteran on the ground, and once the handball chain begun there was no doubt the ball would enter the Devils fifty. Logozzo, Romano, Holden and Cotter governed the in and under, capitalising on their quick footwork and tough physicality.

Parkside tactics and set up discipline reigned supreme as forwards worked hard for leads while the backline refused to allow any space whatsoever for the Swans. Overall it was the chemistry of the mighty Devils that made its mark on the scoreboard which lead to some tensions and roughing up in the 2nd quarter to the third and fourth. The Devils take their revenge in unquestionable fashion and we’re all be on the edges of our seat for an in-form Brunswick next week. 

St Mary’s Salesian never die attitude sent Old Paradians home packing at Ferndale Park.

Round 12, 2021 was the last time the boys of St Mary’s were singing their song. They would’ve belted this one out with plenty of gusto. After 22 straight losses the club produced a win for the ages. Trailing by four points at the end of three quarter time, the Saints booted six goals in the fourth quarter resulting in a 29 point victory lap.

Tricario, Macmillan and Mattiske’s skillset proved too much for the Raiders providing much opportunity for Elliston’s flair going home with four goals.

A first win of the season is sure to bring a smile to the face of Saints fans and may even be the start of something spectacular. They’ll be keen to keep the momentum going as they head out to take on Whitefriars in Round 4. 

Koonung Park held a nail-biting contest between the Old Yarra Cobras and Whitefriars. The Friars led by nine points by the end of the first quarter, but it was the Cobras who stormed ahead booting five goals in the second to turn the tables.

Cobras bigger bodies forced tough contest wins which resulted in a domination through the corridor, clever ball movement and fast footy from the expertise of Chipman, Fleming and Falkingham. Nathan Sambevski demonstrated once more the value his added to the squad kicking three. By halftime Coach Lucas Matthews demonstrated his genius re-arranging tactics and formulating a game plan more in line with Friar footy.

An increase in intensity around the contest and stoppage re-structures in an attempt to circumvent Cobras big bodies favoured a 1 v 1 battle on the inside. Winning these contests made the Friars dangerous providing more opportunity to capitalise on their talent. Pat Cotter seems to only get better and better in tandem with the skill of Max Warrick and Ryan Turner who created fast ball movement and breaking lines to allow star forwards Daniel Wood and Sam Keisiker to win the tough 1 v 1 contest.

Wood left another squad speechless adding another five goals to his now 17 goal tally. Although the Cobras refused to take ‘no’ for an answer the neck and neck comeback was left too late as the Friars snag a six point victory by the final siren. Overall the Friars are cunning, disciplined and adaptable. A squad of pure skill with the admixture of clever tactics, analysts are struggling to identify any weaknesses within the fighting Friars.  

Brunswick take flight to the top of the Division 2 Men’s ladder in another impressive display of physicality and vigour with a 62 point win over Bulleen Templestowe. The Bullants couldn’t quite get going under the frustrating pressure Brunswick always bring to the table.

A slight change in setup shined a new side to the squad for the young team. But what continues to surprise even the most avid fans is the constant discipline structurally, a terror partnership with their hunger for the footy. Nick Burgin had a spectacle of a game, always reliable and tough around the footy, he left everyone speechless asking, who says a midfielder can’t kick five? Jake Ralston’s tough physicality was a nightmare for the Bullants down back in partnership with Tahj Haddock.

Familiar faces Haddad, Mckenzie and Wilson dominate the field, creating opportunities and producing pressure. 3-0 Brunswick have set the tone for the division, high intensity and clever footy. 

For the first time this year, MHSOB walked off the ground as winners overcoming Aquinas by 31 points away from home. Holding the home side goalless in the first half, the Unicorns were able to set up a 40-point lead at the main change.

Mathew Pereira slammed home five majors to take his tally to seven from the opening three rounds, he was supported in attack by Hugh Radcliffe-Smith (4 goals). Zach Smooker was named the best player on the ground. The win puts them with a clump of five sides who’ve recorded one win, and two losses from the opening three rounds.

The Unicorns return home this weekend facing off against South Melbourne looking to even the tally in the win-loss column to conclude the opening month in 2023.