Bulleen stamp their authority

Posted on - Latest News, Featured, Division 2 Men's

Jarryd McGuane – @JMcGuane

Division 2 returned after the Easter break with Bulleen Templestowe showing they are a force to be reckoned with, while West Brunswick and Yarra Old Grammarians also remain unbeaten.

In a low scoring affair at Doncaster Reserve, Yarra Old Grammarians’ accuracy proved the difference as they held off MHSOB by nine points. The game started in tight fashion with each team kicking one goal in the first term, MHSOB took a 1-point lead into the break. The Unicorns would extend their lead out to six points at the half time change, but it should have been more as they added 1.7 to the Bushrangers 1.2 in the second term. In the third term, both sides would have three shots on goal, Yarra Old Grammarians capitalising with 3.0 and MHSOB wasting opportunities and kicking 0.3. Going into three quarter time, the Bushrangers overturned the deficit and led by nine points. That’s where the margin stayed for the final quarter as both sides added 2.3. Nathan O’Neill was the best on ground for Yarra Old Grammarians, with Nicholas Chamberlain bagging three goals. Thomas Hickey was the best for the Unicorns who were unable to find a reliable goal kicker.

Emmaus St Leos came away from Parade College with their first win of the year, defeating Old Paradians by two points in a thrilling match. The Raiders started the stronger of the two sides with a four goal first quarter, but the Animals wrestled back some control in the second kicking three goals to one. Emmaus took a seven point lead into half-time with the final two quarters primed to be a nail-biter. In a game where the momentum kept turning, Old Paradians had their turn back in control as they won the quarter 4.2 to 2.1. But the game had one more twist as Emmaus St Leos five goals to the Raiders three gave in the final term gave the Animals the slim two point victory. Chris Beluszar for Emmaus was judged best on, adding five goals to his tally. For the losing side, Michael Bellizia kicked four while William Gilmore battled hard all day.

At Ted Ajani Reserve, it was all Bulleen Templestowe as they defeated Hawthorn by 119 points. Hawthorn was well in the contest after the first quarter trailing by just 10 points at quarter time, but the final three quarters was commanded by Bulleen and their strong midfield. Eight unanswered goals in the second quarter saw the margin balloon out to 64 points at halftime. Unfortunately for Hawthorn, the deficit continued to grow as another five goals to three in the third quarter pushed out at 76 points. The Hawks were again held goalless in the last and gave up seven more goals as the game was put beyond doubt. Kristian Cherbakof was everywhere for the Bullants slotting six goals of his own. Cherbakof was ably supported by Peter Voglis who ended the game with a bag of eight to his name. Despite the scoreline, there were some positive signs for Hawthorn with Thomas Bowler kicking three and David Upton putting in an admirable performance.

West Brunswick maintained their unblemished start to the 2017 with a convincing 44-point victory over Eltham Collegians at Ransford Oval. The Westies jumped out of the gates with a dominant six goal to two first term to lead by 25 points at quarter time. Eltham Collegians were better defensively in the second as they held West Brunswick to two goals but could only manage one of their own as the lead grew to 35 points at halftime. It was a stalemate in the final two quarters as both sides kicked 1.3 in the third before the Westies add three goals in the last to the Turtles two for the comprehensive victory. William Sadler was the best for the Westies and was supported by Rhys Hartwig who managed to kick four goals. Troy Jinnette was again the Turtles best, as Luke Drakes kicked two.

Glen Eira claimed their first win of the year as they brought Prahran Assumption down to earth with an 11-point comeback victory at Toorak Park. It was Prahran Assumption who was most impressive from the start as their five goals to four in the first quarter and five goals to two second gave them a halftime lead of 27 points. The Saints awoke in the second half, as they added five goals of the own after the break to the Two Blues one, reducing the margin to three points. Glen Eira maintained the momentum in the last quarter kicking four goals to Prahran’s two on the way to their first win of the year. Julius Waras Carstensen was influential for Glen Eira, and Ben Crowe was dominant with seven goals. Gerard Hogarth kicked three for Prahran Assumption as he supported Paul Donahoo who was their best.

Round Three sees Eltham Collegians host Yarra Old Grammarians at Eltham College, with the Turtles still chasing their first win. Emmaus St Leos, fresh off their first win of the year, travel to Melbourne High School to face the Unicorns. Glen Eira returns to Packer Reserve for a replay of the 2016 Division 3 grand final as they face Hawthorn. In a matchup of two undefeated sides, Bulleen Templestowe host West Brunswick at Ted Ajani Reserve. And the two sides relegated from Division 1 in 2016, Prahran Assumption and Old Paradians, face each other at Toorak Park.

Tips

Eltham Collegians vs Yarra Old Grammarians

MHSOB vs Emmaus St Leos

Glen Eira vs Hawthorn

Bulleen Templestowe vs West Brunswick

Prahran Assumption vs Old Paradians