Devils miss an opportunity, as Bears turn-around continues

Round 10 in the Division 1 Men’s competition had teams find their feet again after the some of the upsets of the season were on display last week. At this stage sides can beat anyone on their day and there are still seven teams who can make a legitimate case for finals.

UHS-VU recorded a gutsy win away over the Parkside Devils by 12 points. The first quarter had the intensity of a finals match between two top-four sides wanting to respond after losses from the previous week.

Not much could separate both sides who missed a couple of chances in front of goal early. However, it was the Devils by a point at quarter time. In the second term, the Devils were scrappy by foot in their back half which the Vultures pounced on giving them a game-high lead of 23 points at one stage.

Ben Dimattina had an influential term in the midfield and Jacob Hunt worked hard in the forward line for UHS-VU. Meanwhile, the Devils were never out of it with Luciano Logozzo taking the game on whenever he was given space in the back half and two late goals for the Devils gave them some momentum.

It was the Devils who came off the blocks well in the second half and really dominated after half time, having 10 scoring shots to one in the third quarter. Yet their wayward kicking and a collection of missed opportunities saw the scores level heading into the final quarter.

Ruckman Lewis Daniels really stood up aerially for the Devils and took it up to opposing ruckman Liam Starzer around the ground who is having a great season.

Forward pressure from the Devils was the key in dominating the inside 50 battle as Ciaran Cotter and Benedict Douglas provided great heat around the contest but they couldn’t quite capitalise, only managing a single goal in the third term.

Credit must go to the Vultures defenders as James Gilfillan and Benjamin Cracknell did superbly under pressure.

With it all tied up at three-quarter time, the Vultures needed to recapture the momentum and it was Brandon Jackson who has proved to be the fourth-quarter king in most games who kicked the first two goals of the last term.

The Devils though kicked the next two to get them back in front but the Vultures proved why they are the number one team in the competition capitalising when they had the chance with Ned Couper-Johnston kicking the sealer 40 metres out from goal.

UHS-VU running away 11.10 (76) to 8.16 (64) victors.

The Kew Bears continue to hunt for a spot in the top four after defeating the West Brunswick Magpies by 32 points. It was a stalemate in the opening term with both sides applying heat around the ball and with defensive structures well applied it was the Bears by two points at quarter time.

The Magpies efficiency inside 50 was great in the second term as they kicked the first three goals, but the Bears’ midfield replied with a strong second patch led by Jack Delbridge. Kew slammed home the last five goals of the second quarter to carry an 18-point half time advantage.

The second half was all the visiting Bears though, as William Llewelyn was the story of the day kicking seven goals and proved difficult for the Magpies defence.

There was no catching Kew down the stretch in this contest, the Bears asserting themselves as a finals contender with a 13.7 (85) to 8.5 (53) win away from home.

The Old Peninsula Pirates had a great win over the Preston Bullants by 47 points. The first quarter was a tight tussle between two strong midfields as the Pirates carried a narrow one-goal lead into quarter time.

In the second term, the midfield of the Pirates dominated with the help of ruckman Lochie Baczyk giving great service to Jake Lovett, Hugh Peacock and Kurt Thiele who continued their great seasons.

The Preston Bullants’ defence couldn’t handle the heat from the likes of Bailey Payze who was the clear best on ground kicking booting four majors and continues to prove himself as one the toughest matchups in the section.

The elite pressure remained throughout the duration of the match as Old Peninsula peppered the scoreboard, but inaccurate kicking perhaps made the scoreboard look a little kinder to Preston.

The Pirates continue to fight for a top-four opening, on the back of this 12.22 (94) to 7.5 (47) win.

Prahran defeated the Old Yarra Cobras by 56 points at Koonung Reserve.

From the start, Prahran got on top in the middle of the ground with Mackenzie Mayne having another great performance and his side were able to lock the ball in their forward half. The visitors kicking the opening three goals of the contest in just the first eight minutes.

Prahran had plenty of forward options at their disposal, one of which being Taylor Bamford who kicked four goals and Ethan Plaza knowing his way in front of the sticks booting three of his own.

It wasn’t the day for the Old Yarra Cobras as their defenders were isolated one-on-one due to Prahran’s rapid ball movement. Winger Thomas Seaman was impressive being able to link with handball chains through the middle of the ground.

The margin only grew quarter by quarter and ultimately as the final siren sounded, Old Yarra fell well short 5.10 (40) to Prahran’s 14.12 (96)

Ormond got the job done over the Therry Penola Lions by 69 points at John Pascoe Fawkner Reserve. It was a great four-quarter effort from the Monders this week as their pressure was a real focal point for the side as youngster Jack Mason had a great game in the midfield.

Their connection inside 50 is a huge strength this season and was again proven on the weekend with Thomas Natsikas kicking five goals and James Tsakonas with four goals adding to his hefty tally this season.

The loss of Therry Penola defender Jack Ford continues to hurt the side as they couldn’t cope with the avalanche of entries.

To the Lions credit they were very gallant in their first half efforts, trailing by just 18 points. But the Monders proved themselves as the stronger side after the main break, putting together a 20.8 (128) to 7.17 (59) win.

The footy continues in Round 11 as Parkside go up against an in-form Prahran team at home.  Prahran’s game at the moment seems to be clicking along nicely whilst the Devils would be rueing the missed opportunity against the Vultures after dominating for most of the second half last week.

The Monders forward line is firing and will go up against the Old Yarra Cobras who are searching for their second win of the season at E.E Gunn Reserve.

UHS-VU are back at home taking on the Pirates in what will be a great challenge for the sixth-placed side. The ruck matchup between the in-form Lochie Baczyk and Liam Starzer will be an intriguing one.

It’s a must-win game for the Preston Bullants as they face a hungry Magpies side. The Magpies defence will have some work to do as they face the challenge of forwards Alex Johnston and Tom Hill.

Meanwhile, the Bears take on Therry Penola at home. The fifth-placed Bears side are playing a great brand of football at the moment and are sensing a chance to get in the top four.