Incredible finish results in season’s first draw

It took until the penultimate round of the season for Div 1 Men’s to get their first draw with Kew and the Preston Bullants sharing the points. The fan bases were biting their nails during the 36-minute last quarter which saw multiple lead changes.

It was one of the best games of the season between the 6th-placed Kew and 7th-placed Preston Bullants sides. The first term gave a hint on what the afternoon would look like with four goals apiece. Bears forward Matthew Salvatore kicked two in a row to put his side back in front before a last-minute finish from ruckman Luke Green put the Preston Bullants in front. The second quarter saw the Preston Bullants make the first move kicking the first three goals, winning lots of ground ball.

Most of the term was owned by the Bullants however, the Bears fought back late as Matthew Salvatore kicked a steadier before half time. Both sides were given the license to take the game on given their finals hope was gone – Kew talls Michael Hannan and Mali Jacobs lifted aerially.

Meanwhile, Midfielder Regan Smith contributed to the scoreboard in the third term with two late goals putting the Bears back in front. Ned Waters put through his third to get the Bears some breathing space early in the last, but it didn’t last too long as Rory Howard kicked his fifth.

The last frantic moments of the game saw the pressure go to another level as Blake Thompson kicked a major to put the Bears in front, but a centre clearance win gave a chance for midfielder Patrick Smith to hold his nerve and draw level. The siren went as players had their hands on their hips, shaking their heads at a missed opportunity.

Parkside was exceptional at E.E Gunn Reserve defeating Ormond by 44 points. Top two spots were on the line for the winner and the Devils in the first term got to work in the clearances. Captain Michael Romano led from the front as Benedict Douglas proved too quick for the Monders midfielders. Mitch Lawson presented well inside 50 for the Devils and two 50-meter penalties given away by the Monders made it six goals to nothing at quarter time.

Jackson Hille brought up the Monders first major early in the second, but the Devils pressure and belief continued to get stronger. The Devils responded to anything they put to them and when Luciano Logozzo kicked a 35-meter banana straight through the middle they could do no wrong.

Meanwhile, the third saw the Monders fight back just like good sides do, kicking the first four goals of the second half. Monders forward James Tsakonas higher up the ground and in the midfield worked well for their midfield balance as the Devils faced some scoreboard for the first time.

Corey McKay was important again in his midfield/forward role kicking a much-needed steadier before three-quarter time. Trailing by 28 points at three-quarter time the Monders needed everything to go right and an early goal by Devils half-forward Ciaran Cotter sealed the game. It was arguably the Devils best performance this season and the win almost locks them a double chance.

Prahran got the job done against Therry Penola in a 72-point win. First half was a real arm wrestle between both sides with only one goal scored in the second term.

Prahran’s pressure in the second half was a real standout with Max Milward and Ethan Plaza helping their side lock the ball in their forward half. They went on to kick eight goals in the second half keeping Therry Penola to just the one goal for the match. Patrick Ribbands was like a brick wall in defence for Prahran as they continue to hit September in great form.

UHS-VU returned to the winner’s list after defeating West Brunswick by 53 points. A few handy ins for the Vultures made a big difference and the brand of footy they played on the weekend showed the impact.

The Vultures started well winning the territory battle for the majority of the day – Ben Dimattina was really clean in the stoppages. A seven to two first quarter resulted in the Magpies lifting in the midfield with Emlyn Nettleton playing well in the ruck. Thomas Zafiropolous and Bill Irving all competed hard aerially for the Magpies while Jacob Hunt provided great pressure for the Vultures.

As the Magpies bit back in the second quarter the Vultures responded with a scintillating seven-goal third quarter. Harrison Kennedy moved down back and was one of the many Vultures who moved the ball well, putting the Magpies defence under pressure. Forwards Brandon Jackson and Ned Couper-Johnston proved a nightmare for the Magpies defence kicking 10 goals between them as they went on to win convincingly.

Old Peninsula responded from last week defeating the Old Yarra Cobras by 19 points. Old Yarra could sense the Pirates were vulnerable after their big loss against Prahran as they kicked the first three goals of the game. Momentum shifts dominated the quarter with the Pirates responding with six of their own consecutive goals to give them the lead.

Deputy vice-captain Jake Williams provided some great run for the Pirates and Hugh Peacock played well around the ball. The game went out to a game-high lead of 43 points in favour of the Pirates, but the Old Yarra Cobras weren’t giving in. Elliot Brandon-Jones continued his great season and Jack Hall fought hard aerially to help their side back within 9 points midway in the last quarter.

The class of Bailey Payze separated the game though as the jet kicked five crucial goals to help his side get the win.

The last round of the home and away season sees Prahran take on West Brunswick at DW Lucas Oval. Kew go up against UHS-VU in what is an important game for the Vultures in the lead-up for September. Last time they met, the Bears caused an upset to give their opposition their first loss of the season, can they do it again?

The Pirates go up against the Monders at Harry McDonald Oval. The Monders midfield would want to respond after being well beaten by Parkside last weekend. Parkside play the Old Yarra Cobras in what is a must-win game for the Devils top two hopes. Therry Penola take on the Preston Bullants with both teams wanting to end their season on a high.