Elsternwick gives fans a reason to believe in 2023

Mitch Dyer

The boys from Elsternwick are making every post a winner in 2023. They have played inspired footy off the back of the heartbreak that halted the dream in 2022. 

After a tight opening term against La Trobe University, the Wicks were able to extend their lead at the conclusion of each quarter. Eventually running out winners by 61 points. 

Since July 1, it’s been all about Spencer Hankin in the red and black. Playing a role similar to Peter Wright when he donned the Bombers colours earlier in 2023. Another five on the weekend gave him 35 for the season from seven matches, he’s likely to be a massive factor in September.

Elsternwick are on an 11-game winning streak, heading into the final home and away round this weekend against Power House, they’ll be looking to head into finals with the perfect dozen next to their name. 

Matt Ogle has put together a brilliant individual season for La Trobe, 27 majors and named a part of the best players 10 times. Another similar display on the weekend has him in the box seat to feature prominently on the club’s best and fairest night. 

La Trobe will finish in the bottom two, but be keen to finish the year off with a win as they head out to Kevin Bartlett Reserve to tackle Richmond Central. 

Who Elsternwick will play in the semi-final is still up for the taking. Hawthorn AFC went a long way to making that spot their very own with an obliteration of Swinburne University.

11 goals in the first quarter set up the day. The margin was over triple figures at half-time. Will Meehan (10 goals) and Justin Raiti (9 goals) traded majors through the afternoon as the margin extended beyond 200. 

The two tall targets are equal with 64 goals apiece heading into the final weekend, the battle for the competition sharpshooter is the side dish to the main course. It’s so promising considering what’s to come in the next month, the Hawks have the proven firepower to kick a premiership winning score. 

It’s been a trying year for Swinburne, they’ve never thrown in the towel or left anything out on the field. Aidan Vesty has led the way in front of goal with 28 for the season. Brad Field has been part of the best players in 50% of his games. Should they head down to Division 4 in 2024, they’ll see themselves as genuine contenders to come straight back up for the 2025 season. 

Hawthorn will face Wattle Park in Round 18, in eight of the last nine matches the scoring prowess has been on display. Only the Animals have been able to stop them from going above the ton. Will it happen again this weekend? 

A loss for the Hawks, and a Canterbury victory will see these sides match up for a second consecutive week in a do-or-die final. A must-win match up for the Hawks. 

Canterbury have kept their top two chances alive with a somewhat comfortable 56 point win over Power House. 

Opening the day with the first five majors, the boys from Power House came back at the Cobras in the second term with four goals, closing the margin to 14 points at the main change. 

From there the Cobras took a stranglehold on the game with nine goals in the second half. Tom Lowden, Nick McMahon and Jordan Dear combined with eight goals in the forward half. 

While the year started off in positive fashion for the boys of Ross Gregory Oval, the back half of the season has seen them fall away. They’ve been competitive in patches that will hold them in good stead for next season. 

Canterbury are in charge of their own destiny this weekend against Swinburne. It’s a must-win game. They’ll have an eye on Hawthorn and Wattle Park. It’s unlikely they’ll make up the 28% gap to get to second, regardless, a spot in the finals is there, and heading into the finals in strong winning form is what they want.

Wattle Park have had an exceptional year. When you consider where they’ve been, and where they’ve come from. Where they’re heading is up, and it’s great to see. 

The off-season name change has inspired the Animals to rediscover their identity, their DNA and play footy the way they’ve hoped to show supporters in recent years. 

Saturday proved to be a gutsy win over Richmond Central to officially book in September. 

Leading by a point at three quarter time, the Animals were able to run out the game and record a 27 point win with Newbegin Baxter kicking three goals in another best on ground display. 

While they don’t quite have the twin-towers like Hawthorn, the desirable even spread of goals is on display at Wattle Park every week. The flipping the ball around the midfield makes it tough for opposition to clamp down on. 

Could they join the list of teams who’ve gone on fairytale runs from fourth to make a Grand Final in the last 12 months? 

Since Round 10, Richmond have alternated wins with losses in opposing weeks. The inability to string consecutive wins together has proved costly in the back half of the season. Going on this formline though, bookmark Round 18 with a win, to finish off the year on a high.