St John’s claim top spot as battle for finals heats up

In another wet weekend of Division 3 football, the race for the minor premiership has a new leader, whilst three teams continue to jostle for the fifth and final place in September.

Albert Park’s season has finally clicked into gear, unloading a dominant display over Chadstone, finding form similar to their runners-up season last year in Division 4.

The Falcons held a 43-point halftime advantage, but it was their second half that boosted their percentage. Thanks to a five-goal second-half haul by Lachlan Rennie, Albert Park piled on 12 goals to five.

Felix Metz was deemed best on ground for the Falcons, alongside Rennie who recorded six goals in total. Ben Ogilvie was the lone multiple-goal scorer for the Synners, snagging three majors.

This win keeps the Falcons within touching distance of the top-five, just a game and percentage behind. Their run of form could not be more well-timed, with a brutal fixture of St John’s, North Brunswick and Richmond Central to close out their season. However, with their latest wins, the Falcons will be confident they can knock off a top-four side and keep the finals chances alive.

Swinburne University have dealt the final blow to La Trobe University’s season with a surging last quarter to overcome a three-quarter-time deficit.

The fierce rivalry between the collegiate sides did not disappoint, as the Razorbacks backed up their Round 6 win over La Trobe with a 15-point win on Saturday.

Swinburne led by 15 at quarter-time, and 34 during the second term, however the Trobers responded with six straight goals to stunningly take a three-point halftime lead.

The third-quarter was an arm wrestle, as La Trobe managed the only goal for the term, extending their lead to ten points. The Razorbacks charged with a wet sail though, kicking all four last-quarter goals to land the ultimate strike to La Trobe’s finals dreams.

Nick Ferguson was vital up forward again for Swinburne, kicking three goals, as Tyson Wiegold (two goals) earned best on ground. Jonty Randall, Archie Conboy and Connor McCredden were among the best for La Trobe.

La Trobe are now purely a mathematical chance of playing in September, having lost their last eight straight, whilst Swinburne remain just percentage outside the top-five.

St John’s have claimed top ladder position, as a 92-point win against Eley Park, along with other favourable results, has boosted them above North Brunswick for the first time this season.

St John’s picked up right from where they left off last week, scoring five goals in the opening 11 minutes, before the Sharks reigned in some control. The JOCs still remained a steady 34 points ahead of Eley Park at quarter time, and continued to extend their lead into the second quarter.

Playing with newfound confidence after a win against La Trobe in Round 13, the Sharks challenged the soon-to-be ladder-leaders after the main break, outscoring the JOCs in the third term.

However, the well-oiled machine of St John’s regrouped and kept Eley Park scoreless in the final quarter, winning 17.15 (117) to 4.1 (25).

Joshua Mourant, Tom Siposs and Brendan Ash were best on for St John’s. Aaron Williams and Jesiah Mcgarvie worked tirelessly in defence, as Gus Fowler and Patrick Rossi maintained lively energy up forward. Improving week-on-week, the Sharks will be circling a chance to square the ledger against Chadstone next round.

How quickly the mighty have fallen. Establishing their credibility as a flag fancy, Power House have handed North Brunswick a second consecutive loss, the same Bulls side that suffered just its first loss since 2022 last weekend.

In a hotly contested opening term, neither team could land a blow with the quarter-time scores 0.1 (1) to 0.2 (2), in favour of Power House. The match continued to be a standoff, both defences unwavering, as Power House’s lead creeped out slightly to seven points by halftime.

Power House smelt blood though, and they capitalised, booting four goals to two behinds. The game’s scoring once again stagnated in the final term, as Power House’s third quarter of flair ultimately determined a Division 3 battle for the ages.

Benjamin Circosta was a game-changer with two of Power House’s third quarter goals, as Matt Devine was deemed best-on.

North Brunswick’s loss drops them down to second on the ladder and are now just one game ahead of Power House and Canterbury. A critical opportunity to rebound comes against La Trobe this weekend, with another loss potentially sliding the Bulls down to as low as fourth.

Richmond Central hold their finals position for another week after a solid victory against Box Hill North. The Snakes held just a seven-point quarter-time lead, but a second term of six goals to one behind erased any doubt of victory.

Banjo Plummer and Campbell Mellor were amongst the Snakes best in the 65-point win, as Kyle Hocking and Tim Stanghi contributed well for the Demons.

Richmond Central’s focus will turn to their matchup against Swinburne this weekend, a blockbuster “eight-point” game that could determine the final five.

There are plenty more enticing games of footy in Round 15 to come too.

La Trobe host North Brunswick, as Eley Park travel to Chadstone for a wooden-spoon-avoiding clash. Albert Park are tasked to upset St John’s if they are to play finals, as Richmond Central host Swinburne in the game of the round. Canterbury and Power House close out the round in a mouthwatering early finals preview, as Box Hill North have the bye.