And then there were five

Chris Ciampoli

While there’s still a month of the home and away season left, the top five sides in Division 2 have pulled away from the chasing pack.

Old Yarra Cobras, South Melbourne Districts and Whitefriars are having a battle within a battle for spots third and fourth, although on the back of a brilliant performance from the Cobras on the weekend. Second spot is potentially still open for business.

Taking on the second placed Brunswick, the Old Yarra Cobras got off to a slow start in this contest. After quarter time though they didn’t look back, kicking five goals in the second term to take a 10 point lead into half-time.

The margin grew to 16 at three quarter time before finishing 38 point winners. This puts the Cobras back on the winners list and only half a game behind second spot.

Facing Aquinas this weekend, they’ll be out for the full book of points and cement Aquinas to the bottom spot on the ladder.

Brunswick’s last three weeks has seen them take a stranglehold on the bottom three sides. Bookending the last five weeks has seen them lose to Parkside (first) and now the Cobras (third). They can’t afford another slip-up this weekend against South Melbourne or that double chance position is looking vulnerable.

South Melbourne Districts will enter that Round 15 clash sky-high after holding off a fast-finishing MHSOB by six points.

Leaving the door ajar in the first half, the Bloods went into half-time with a three point advantage. Not being able to capitalise on scoring opportunities through the third term, the Unicorns were within striking distance in the final quarter.

While Lachie Dowling was kicking goals, the time was running out. In the end, it was the clock that beat the Unicorns who fell short. South Melbourne continued the trend of winning one week, losing the next in consecutive weeks since round eight.

The Unicorns are now two and a half games behind fifth placed Whitefriars. They meet this week, if they are to have any chance of finding themselves in September they can’t afford to lose a game in the final four weeks.

Whitefriars head into next week’s contest against MHSOB in strong form. Having won three of their last four matches.

This week they were able to account for the Old Paradians with relative ease. Friars were able to hold the green, blue and purple monster to one goal in the first half whilst kicking seven of their own.

The second half is where they put the foot on the throat kicking a further 15 goals to the opposition’s two.

Daniel Wood kicked five, taking his season tally to 56 in the 120 point margin. Wood is now two goals behind Ben Radford (Parkside) in the race for the leading goalkicker. While he is kicking goals, Nicholas Garratt is likely to be leading their best and fairest with another best on ground display.

After a few strong performances in a row, the Old Paradians will have left Whitefriars College disappointed with their output. They return to Garvey Oval this week keen on redemption facing off against Bulleen Templestowe.

Like Whitefriars, Parkside exploded after half-time against Bulleen Templestowe with 11 goals to three to win by 61 points.

Ben Douglas (5 goals) and Ben Radford (4 goals) were dominant in the forward line. The former in a best on ground display.

It was a much stronger showing from Parkside after losing to the Ants earlier on in the year. Since that loss, they haven’t put a foot wrong winning nine games in a row.

Jack Cowell was a shining light for Bulleen with a bag of five goals. They’ll be looking to end a five game losing streak when they face off against Old Paradians this Saturday. They will need to win if they’re to keep the ever-closing gap from St Mary’s in ninth if they want to remain in Division 2 in 2024.

St Mary’s Salesian, for the second week in a row have come from the ground triumphant in victory.

A strong opening quarter set up the win. By three quarter time they held a 42 point lead over Aquinas with Jack Elliston running rings around the opposition.

This performance means they’re just half a game behind Bulleen Templestowe. Parkside and South Melbourne await, before they meet the Ants in the game that could determine their future beyond this year.

Daniel McMahon continued his good form of kicking goals in every game he plays, this weekend saw him net a bag of five in a best on ground performance for Aquinas.

Next weekend they take on the Old Yarra Cobras.