Percentage bolstering wins the theme of Round 1

Liam Cole

Division 1 footy is back after a long break as the players took to the field on the weekend in Round 1. There were some big wins across the competition as some sides flexed their muscles and made big statements.

Prahran FC kicked off their season in fine style with a 34-point win over Ormond. It was an evenly matched contest early on with Prahran narrowly ahead at quarter time by just a point. Prahran put their foot on the gas and proved too strong in the second half with Matt Clifford and Ethan Plaza ending up with 3 goals each. The strong dash off half-back proved strong for Ormond as a huge goal by Matt Clifford outside sealed the deal.

Ormond’s Jackson Hille impressed on the half-back line with his speed and aerial craft. Ormond is looking to get their first win on the board for 2024 as they face an emerging Parkside team in Round 2.

The Old Peninsula Pirates got the job done against the newly promoted Old Yarra Cobras by 56 points. The first quarter was a tight tussle between both sides as the Cobras only trailed by two goals. After the first term, the Pirates got on top, defending beautifully, restricting the Cobras to just four goals in the game with Killian Doyle setting the tone down back. The damage was done in the midfield with some elite pressure by Jake Lovett, Kurt Thiele and Bailey Payze.

It was a tough day for the Cobras, but Benjamin Makowski was a positive on Saturday making many intercepts in defence. The Pirates are looking to go undefeated taking on UHS-VU at home next week.

The Kew Bears started the season off with a bang in a comfortable 51-point win over the Preston Bullants. Preston had no answers for the Bears conceding the first 10 goals of the game. The Bullants playing coach and captain Tom Hill led from the front in the midfield kicking two goals. Bears midfielder Jack Delbridge was strong in the midfield battle as emerging full-forward William Liewelyn kicked four goals.

Irishman Richard Hughes in his first year of playing footy didn’t look out of touch with his composed ball use and seamlessly fitted in off the half-back line. The Preston Bullants will be looking to bounce back against the West Brunswick Magpies next week.

The Therry Penola Lions proved too strong against the West Brunswick Magpies with a 50-point win. It was a tight tussle in the first half with the Lions only leading by 10 points at halftime. The Lions blitzed the Magpies in the premiership quarter restricting West Brunswick to just three goals in the second half.

The Lions listed an extremely young side on the weekend with 12 players under the age of 20 and three of those playing their first senior game, so look out for the rapid rise of Therry Penola Lions. Lions skipper Joel Costello was instrumental in the victory as Nick Turner excelled in the first round.

Meanwhile, the Egglestone brothers both contributed three goals apiece in the impressive win. The Lions have a big test in round two as they take on the Kew Bears at John Pascoe Fawkner Reserve.

UHS-VU won a thriller at Brens Oval by 6 points against a newly elevated Parkside team. The game was goal-for-goal for the entirety of the match with UHS-VU leading the Demons by a goal at quarter time.

The midfield battle was tight as UHS-VU skipper Harrison Kennedy led from the front and played an important role in the game while Tom Cracknell was impactful on the half-back line. Another positive out of the win was the emergence of young winger Henry Ley who impressed many with his good ball use inside 50 and repeat entries.

It was a game of who could take their chances more and UHS-VU forward Brandon Jackson kicked a crucial four goals in the game with two in the last term.

Meanwhile, Demons midfielder Corey McKay and Jack Hamilton up forward playing an excellent game can both hold their heads up high. For UHS-VU it looks like they’re going to have to be on top of their game next week as they take on a strong Old Peninsula side away.

So, what can we look forward to this weekend?

Round two promises to be an intriguing weekend of footy with each club wanting to put wins on the board early in the season. Parkside are looking to make a statement over the former Premier C side Ormond as both teams are determined not to be 0-2 to start the new season.

Therry Penola take on the Kew in what will be a big challenge for the young Lions. New Bears coach Bryan Cole would love the perfect start to 2024 if his men can get the job done.

West Brunswick and the Preston Bullants do battle after two disappointing losses. The midfield contest should prove pivotal for both teams as they look to get their first wins on the board.

Old Peninsula and UHS-VU do battle in arguably the game of the round. Both teams have had great pre-seasons and would love nothing more than to be undefeated.

Meanwhile, the newly promoted side in the Old Yarra Cobras will have a big task ahead taking on one of the premiership fancies in Prahran.