Boil overs and big winners

Mitch Dyer

Division Three Men’s was treated to another top of the table clash this week as Canterbury looked to make it back to back statements against Elsternwick, whilst another premiership contender let out all of their round nine frustration in their biggest win of the season. 

Sitting pretty atop of the ladder the Cobras came out keen to replicate their wining ways from their season defining win against the hawks last week, getting the better of Elsternwick early to hold a narrow 9 point lead heading into half time. 

Fresh off his return from injury Cobras captain Nick Szabo his gang of gut runners in Martin Astbury and cousin Mitch Szabo did all they could to break the game open in the third quarter with Elsternwick refusing to settle heading into the final quarter. 

Managing not only to break down Cobras defence, Elsternwick managed to use the run to their advantage, running away with what might just be their best win of the season behind a career best performance from Blake Pantas, taking best on ground honours along with two majors to his name. 

Although just one win in amongst a fantastic season, Elsternwick can move ahead into the back half of the 2023 year with renewed confidence that on any given day and any given oval, they can be the best side in the competition. 

Elsewhere around division three Richmond took down Swinburne in what was their most complete game of 2023. 

This season has never been a question of fire power early for the snakes, but moreover the ability to run out a full four quarters and bury a side when needed, which is exactly what they produced on the weekend. The first quarter was a goal scorers delight with Richmond booting five of their own whilst Swinburne couldn’t miss, managing to rocket through four straight to start the game on a high. 

From there, the snakes managed to keep their foot on the accelerator and pick apart an admirable effort from Swinburne, taking the four point and their third win of the season with a 47 point win for a Saturday afternoon. 

Swinburne, although taking a loss still had players shining with Liam Bradley Brander (3) and Maclean Huf (2) kicking true, whilst Richmond managed 5 players in the multiple goal scorer category with Damien Holland taking best on ground for the win. 

The Snakes have a real opportunity to climb the ladder as the season progresses, sitting one win behind Power House in a battle of the middle of the table. 

While on the subject, round 10 may be a round to forget for the former division two side who were subject to a barrage of big bodies and pure frustration from Hawthorn AFC.

After losing in the final quarter last week to the Cobras the men of the eastern suburbs left no stone unturned in their percentage boosting Victory, falling just short of raising the bat for a double century. The first quarter was competitive amongst the sides, with Power House scoring 4.4 28 to only trail by 16 into the second quarter.  

From there, it was all about the hawks who in the third quarter managed to kick a staggering 10 straight goals to blow the game wide open, allowing 13 different goal scorers to cash in on the momentum, ending the game with 30 goals, the most this season. 

22´ team of the year forward pocket Justin Raiti kicked himself a bag of 6 whilst compatriot Jack Kenny also got in on the action with a bag of 5 himself.  

Despite the bags kicked however it was Hawthorns Will Ryan who took home man of the match honours, being one of only a handful of players not to score in the game. 

The final game of the round saw Wattle Park continue their winning ways as they managed to pick a part La Trobe with a 71 point victory away from home. 

Managing just one point in the first quarter the Animals seemed rattled to kick off round 10, eventually finding their feet in the second quarter to go into the half 25 points up.  

The second half kept much the same story line, with La Trobe digging deep behind the tough nut game style of Jacob Assemani however being unable to hit the score board, with the Animals running away with the victory. 

Nathan Bird managed to find plenty of the football for Wattle Park up forward with 5 to his name, also taking home best on ground honours for the victory. 

Round 11 next week brings its own headlines, the most interesting of which again features the Cobras as they look to bounce back against Wattle Park in what will be the best test of the season for the fourth place Animals.