Vultures swoop as Snakes climb ladder
Posted on - Latest News, Featured, Division 3 Men's
James Armit
We have a new flag favourite in Division 3 as the clash of the undefeated titans, Power House and UHS-VU, saw the Vultures emerge comfortable winners. On the back of their win, the Vultures are now one of only four remaining undefeated teams in the whole of the VAFA.
The Vultures confirmed their reputation as Division 3 front-runners with a 56-point win over second-placed Power House in Round 7. Both teams went into the match undefeated and on paper the game could have gone either way. Despite the home ground advantage of Power House, UHS-VU went into the game as slight favourites and proved why in the first quarter, exploding out of the blocks and sprinting away to a 40-point lead at quarter time. The Vultures only allowed Power House three scoring shots for the first quarter and it was the Vultures defensive strangulation of Power House that ultimately saw them victorious on Saturday. Ryan Smith and Douglas Payton were dominant all day as they made it hard for Power House to ever work their way back into the game. James McGee, Mitchell Sweeney and Brandon Jackson all kicked three apiece for the Vultures. Something of a revival occurred during the third quarter for Power House as Nicholas Brown and Darcy Grasby lead the resistance with Nicholas Nagel (4) continuing his good form in front of goal and bringing his tally for the year to 28. Next week, Power House will look to bounce back against an in-form Canterbury while UHS-VU take on a rejuvenated Richmond Central.
Having not won a senior game for more than 630 days, Richmond Central have made it three wins on the trot after seeing off La Trobe University. It was a game of attrition in the first half with the scores locked at 25-13 La Trobe’s way after the Snakes were held scoreless in the second quarter. The Snakes coach Shannon Collins must have given his men an almighty rev up at half time after they kicked eight goals to have them lead by 23 points at the final change. Jake Munro continued his excellent form booting three goals taking his tally to 31 whilst Tom Foott was best on ground alongside Wade McGrath who was also impressive. For the Trobers, Abe Spargo was the only multiple goal kicker with two while Mathew Hay and Brady McDonald lead the resistance around the ground. The Snakes third consecutive win sees them slither into seventh spot just below La Trobe in sixth. Central’s game against second placed Power House will be a test of their mettle while La Trobe face Albert Park who will be desperate to get themselves out of the relegation zone.
Swinburne bolstered their top four credentials with a 98-point drubbing of bottom placed South Melbourne at St James Park. Those in the South Melbourne camp thought that Saturday could have been the day they broke their duck when they lead the Razorbacks by three points at quarter time. In the second quarter Swinburne ‘kicked-away’ in every sense of the expression, kicking eleven goals in a quarter and claiming a 54-point lead at halftime. It was one way traffic in the second half as the Razorbacks continued to pile on the goals. Ben Higgins was best on field as he booted seven goals and was ably supported by Manning with five of his own. In a disappointing day for the Bloods, Harry Rothwell was their best while Antony Vlitas keeps on churning out performances as Jason Clifford was their only multiple goal kicker with three. South Melbourne will hope to bounce back when they face Point Cook next week.
Westbourne continue to put pressure on the top two after a six-goal victory over Albert Park at the Westbourne School Ground. After three consecutive losses, Albert Park went into the game desperately looking for a win to see them get out of the relegation zone. Westbourne were looking to prove that their loss to Richmond Central was only a temporary deviation from their normal trend of winning. The Warriors lead at every change of ends and completed the comfortable victory after Nick Schiano and Charles Hunter slotted four goals apiece. Jamie Do collected best on ground honours in his best game for the year. A win eluded Albert Park but competitive recent scores against good opposition suggest they are better than the position they currently see themselves in. For the Falcons, William Marshall was their most impressive while Luke Childs, Jack Amies and Nicholas Materia all provided strong games in the losing team.
Canterbury were made to work for their win over eighth placed Point Cook. Canterbury would have been keen to make amends for last week’s loss to Canterbury just as much as Point Cook would have been keen to get back on the winners list. Canterbury began well, kicking six goals to three in the first quarter and from then on it was up to the Cobras to keep Point Cook at bay. When Canterbury threatened to kick away in the second and third quarters, the Bulldogs were valiant in their efforts to keep up with a slick Canterbury outfit led by Thomas Lowden who snagged five goals and earning best-on-ground in the process. Jason Blakemore and James Carrington were also impressive for the home side. For Point Cook, Tristan Furr continued his good form with three goals whilst Robbie Milne was also amongst the best players. Canterbury have a colossal task in front of them when they face the unbeaten UHS-VU while Point Cook will hope to put distance between themselves at the bottom two when they host winless South Melbourne Districts next week.
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