Huge wins across the board boost percentage in Div 3

Callum Farquhar

Triple figure wins were the theme of Round 3, as clubs bolstered their ladder positions with some handy percentage increases. As Division 3 Men’s takes shape, teams are taking no time to rid the off-season rust.

The first game of the round was a classic, with North Brunswick surging in the last to triumph over Canterbury by seven points. The Bulls never led at any of the breaks, even held to just 18 points at half time. However, as a side still yet to be defeated since 2022, the Bulls have winning ingrained in their DNA. They took the lead halfway through the fourth quarter and managed to hold on in classic North Brunswick fashion.

The Cobras now fall to 1-2 after this gut-wrenching loss, and sit sixth on the ladder. Mitch Szabo was strong again for Canterbury, joining Nathan Beacom and Darby Desmond in the best.

Three goals from ruckman Simon Woodward aided North Brunswick’s comeback, as Cameron Lee, Andrew Lewis Poppa and Fletcher Banfield made up the Bulls’ best. The Bulls take on Swinburne University next week in a prime opportunity to go 4-0.

In the largest win of the Round, Power House remain unbeaten following a 144-point drubbing of Chadstone. A ten goal second term broke the game wide open for Power House, leading by 70 at halftime. The Synners were unable to reel in the margin, as Power House scored a monstrous 203 points.

Power House’s Michael Timmons bagged eight goals, whilst Luke Stubbs (6) and Benjamin Circosta (5) combined for a further 11.

Chadstone’s Anthony Brown was best on for his side, kicking four of the Synners’ nine goals. Caleb Rudd, Logan Stott, Bethel Loh, Braiden Leong, and Daniel Marquison round out Chadstone’s best.

Returning from the bye, La Trobe University cruised past Eley Park by 133 points. Keeping the Sharks scoreless in the first term, La Trobe utilised their home ground advantage with flowing ball movement. The floodgates opened in the last, with La Trobe kicking ten goals to one.

It was a team effort, with ten players kicking majors, eight of which kicked multiple. Hugo O’Callaghan was best on for La Trobe, amongst Archie Conboy and Darcy Thorn.

Fresh faces filled the best for Eley Park, including first-year Sharks Jack Johnstone, Daniel Kaye, Matt Gallagher, and Nicholas Nillson. Eley Park are back at Shark Park next week when they play St John’s.

Swinburne University rebounded from last week’s loss, toughing out a gritty 26-point win over Box Hill North. The Razorbacks were down at quarter-time, but found their footing throughout the rest of the match, outrunning the Demons.

It was an important match to win for Swinburne, placing them in the top four with a solid percentage. Nick Ferguson kicked five, whilst Bradley Field and Thomas Hartney were best on for the Razorbacks.

Box Hill North remain winless in 2024, but coach Jeff D’Amato notes a large injury list is causing some of their struggles. Blake Williams kicked an impressive four goals, making him best on ground for the Demons, along with Aaron D’Amato, Joshua Hocking and Carl Sieger. They play La Trobe next week, with hopes to beat the other collegiate side this time around.

In what was a highly anticipated preliminary final rematch, St John’s exacted their revenge on Albert Park in a crushing 123-point win. The JOC’s kept Albert Park scoreless in the first quarter, opening with a commanding 45-point lead. They would never look back, mounting on 22 goals to boost their ladder percentage to 226.5%.

St. John’s currently sit third, and with only one tight loss to the undefeated North Brunswick, they are primed for a deep finals run this season. Timothy Werner kicked 11 goals in the best Division 3 goalkicking performance yet, landing himself in the best with Callum Houghton.

Joshua Rennie, Bryce Agiss and Alby Evans were the Falcons best men, however they’ll be looking onto next week’s matchup against Chadstone. It could provide a confidence boost for the club that had started their season so strongly.

Looking onto Round 4, every game has plenty at stake.

Canterbury need to beat Richmond Central to avoid chasing the pack at 1-3, whilst the Snakes are coming off a bye, refreshed and ready to win. Canterbury’s two losses have been by just seven points each, so don’t let their current ladder position fool you. This game will be a tight one.

North Brunswick will host Swinburne University at home as they aim to continue their unbeaten streak. Swinburne are playing with quality currently, and upsetting the Bulls will prove they are genuine flag contenders this year.

Box Hill North face La Trobe University in an intriguing matchup. La Trobe’s opening two games tell two opposite tales, whilst the Demons have competed well despite being winless. It’s anyone’s guess who takes the four points.

Eley Park will try rebound against St John’s this weekend. St John’s have been an impressive outfit so far, but the Sharks are formidable at home.

Chadstone host Albert Park to close out the round, with both sides coming off huge defeats. The Falcons have the opportunity to regain some form after two weeks of struggle, but Chadstone also have the same chance to pounce on the battling Falcons. It will be a do-or-die match at Jordan Reserve.

Power House have the bye this weekend.