Cobras x2, Bloods and Animals – the Division 3 Finals contenders
Posted on - Latest News, Featured, Division 3 Men's
Tash Gunawardana
In Round 18, fourth-placed Canterbury secured an 18-point win and a fourth spot finish over Westbourne Grammarians at Canterbury Sportsground. The clash was probably one of the most highly anticipated matches of Division 3, with both teams sitting at fourth and fifth and vying to take out the final spot in the top four. Less than eight points was the margin at each change of ends during the match, highlighting the tightness untill the final quarter when the Cobras found another gear kicking three goals to the Warriors two to ensure they will feature in September finals action. Martin Astbury was the star up forward for the Cobras with a bag of five goals and named BOG. Warriors’ Chris Hudson led from the front with four goals and Justin Porter had the best on ground honours.
A nine-goal final quarter to Emmaus St Leos well and truly cemented third position and their spot in the finals with an 87-point win over Richmond Central at Kevin Bartlett Reserve. Paul Baranello had a day to remember for the Animals with a six-goal haul and Newbegin Baxter was best on the field for his side. The Snakes found it hard to kick goals all day, so Jared Goldsack was the only multiple goal scorer for them with four. Matthew Lammeretz was adjudged best afield for Richmond.
Manningham Cobras have won the minor premiership after their 11-point hard-fought victory over the second placed Aquinas at Koonung Reserve. It was a tale of two halves with the Bloods the stronger team in the first half with a 21-point lead at the main break, before Manningham came out all guns blazing with a monster 10 goal to three third quarter that completely turned the match in their favour. The Bloods kept on coming in the last term, outscoring Manningham four goals to two with the hopes of stealing top spot, but the Cobras 23-point 3QT lead prevailed. Anthony Raso was named in the best for Manningham with five goals. Joshua Robertson and Matthew Allwood both were solid with four goals each for the Bloods as was Russell Foster who was best afield.
Despite both sides Division 4 fate for 2020, a hard fought contest ensued at Pitcher Park whereby Parkside secured the victory by four points over North Brunswick. In a low scoring affair, with both teams only scoring five goals for the match, momentum was with the Red Devils in the opening quarter with three goals while keeping the Bulls scoreless, but in the final quarter the Brunswick boys almost snatched victory with their three goals to the Red Devils one. Among the best for Parkside was Benedict Douglas up forward with two goals and Michael Romano best on field for his side. North Brunswick had five individual goal scorers and their BOG was Simon Mair.
Semi-Final Preview:
With the first week of the finals upon us, the last round of the home and away season had everything from close finishes to huge blowouts. The fourth v fifth clash went down to the wire, as both teams had a top four spot up for grabs and Canterbury eventually were able to brush past Westbourne by 16 points to take out the final top four spot on the ladder. Finals are set with Manningham Cobras, Aquinas, Emmaus St Leos and Canterbury all playing off with hopes of making it to the Division 3 big dance.
Emmaus St Leos will play Canterbury in the first Semi-Final this weekend. Both teams finished with the same premiership points, but the Animals finished higher at third as they had a greater percentage of 23.31%. Heading into this do or die final, both teams are 1v1 in the head to head this season, so expect both teams to come out firing with plenty on the line. If Emmaus hope to progress to the Preliminary Final, they will hope the forward duo of Harrison Davis and Jack Hunt have their kicking boots on like in their most recent clash against Canterbury, with them scoring four and three goals respectively. Rohan Walmsley was the Cobras BOG in their last meeting, and that will go a long way to winning if they have another huge impact from him once again.
The second Semi-Final will feature ladder leaders Manningham Cobras again facing second-placed Aquinas. Expect this clash to be on from the start with the Bloods fired up, as they will not want to go down to Manningham for the second consecutive week and third time this season. Manningham will have a lot to prove since taking out the minor premiership, as they are fancied now to take out the Division 3 premiership after only dropping one game all season. Aquinas will need in-form forward Joshua Robertson to kick a bag and hope their defenders stop Manningham’s forward line of Anthony Raso and Kane Maghamez if they have a chance of toppling Manningham for the first time this season.
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