Story of a marauder

Posted on - Featured, Division 1 Men's

William Balme
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@balmey21

The storyline of Division 1 is starting to open up into a clearer picture. A picture that some may refute, some may scorn at, but one that invokes that old adage; Perception is reality. I’m not going to go as far as suggesting that two tiers have opened up definitively and completely but there is a clear division between the best and the worst. However, in saying that, there are games in the coming weeks that shape as absolutely crucial at both ends of the table.

Round 10 shapes as the most crucial round on the VAFA calendar with Old Geelong taking on St Mary’s Salesian and the battle between Ormond and Kew. It would be remiss of me to suggest that the game between the two new foes will be one to decide who goes through the year undefeated. There is still so much of the narrative to play out. In fact, as it stands, Old Geelong, minus the Round 1 defeat to Kew, is in as good a position as anyone. Jack McMeel and Callum Wood are a force to be reckoned with. At the other end of the table, Prahran Assumption has to find a way to win in order to stay in contention. They have a strong percentage, but at 1-5, they may have already conceded too much ground to stay in touch with the top 4. Onward with the story, narrator.

As the narrator appears to be me, we will start with a recap of the Clive Waterhouse from the weekend. Prahran Assumption, as previously mentioned, yet again fell short against St Mary’s Salesian, losing by 10 points. Prahran, dismal early, showed their tenacity against the SMS panache, and pulled back a 28-point half time deficit. However, despite a 5 goal final term, Prahran’s defence could not manage to curtail the rampant scoring power of the Saints’ forward line and midfield, led by Sid Jones and Gary Puruntatameri with 3 apiece, and Scott Gatehouse kicking 2 telling running goals, both in the third term. Although the Jack Matherson swing move from back to forward worked momentarily, it was Jordan Waters, the teenager, who caught the eye again with 2 goals for the PAs. James Musster also had a terrific second half. For Prahran, their fixture against the struggling Bushrangers couldn’t be more crucial.

At the Como, on a lovely Saturday afternoon, with that glorious dewy scent that South Yarra usually gives off accompanying it, Old Geelong put their nose onto the skin of Bulleen Templestowe and sniffed until the Bullants’ boys had turned a ghostly white. I apologise, I’ve been reading Perfume: Story of a Murderer and the idea of smell is keeping me awake at night. Anyway, Old Geelong’s obliteration of Bulleen was utterly comprehensive. 172 points was the final margin, a result that would be hugely troubling for a side that appeared to be on the improve. When Jack McMeel, Mathew Young and Callum Wood, the dangerous OG forward trio, kick 21 goals between them, it’s pretty apparent that the result will be 100+ in favour of the trio’s side. But it was a trial by fire, an absolute domination around the ground from start to finish. Old firm Paul Florance was indefatigable as ever but aside from that, Bulleen will have to put this result behind them as quickly as possible.

Yarra Valley’s season has carried into its 6th week without a win, with a worrying lack of defensive pressure accompanying this loss against Whitefriars. The Bushrangers’ strength certainly lays in their scoring power, with another 14-goal effort, 7 between the Letsons. It is the rest of the ground where the problem exists and festers. Whitefriars piled on 26 goals and dominated possession. They led by 50 points at half time, with young gun Ryan Malt booting 4 goals and Michael Nitas kicking 5. It was the same story in the second half, with resistance coming in bursts from the embattled Bushrangers. Aaron Potter, recruited from the Eastern Football League, was Yarra’s best. Dan Hogan was once again the midfield lynchpin for Whitefriars who will face the arduous task of Kew this weekend.

Ormond remain undefeated with a comfortable 52-point win over Old Mentonians. Whilst the ‘Monders are sitting 2nd on the ladder behind Kew, it is pretty evident that they are the team to chase this season, coming from the hardened Premier C competition. Old Mentone stayed with Ormond until the final quarter, but were blown away in the final term. Ormond’s forward line, with Matthew Martinov and Rob Chisholm kicking 4 and 3 respectively, is formidable and their midfield is dogged, with class dripping from its pores. James Landman and Chris Coglan were outstanding. It is the defensive unit who kept Ben Rossi and Dustan Mills, Old Mentonians’ two key forwards, goalless and pinch-hitting midfielder Luke Hull subordinate. Tristan Strange was best for the defeated Mentonians. It wasn’t all good news for Ormond, with two serious injuries to Lucas Hemming and Haydon Whitehead dampening the win.

At the Bear Cave, Kew put NOBS/St Pats to the sword with a 127-point win. From the outset Kew outclassed NOBSPC, playing rapid football from defence to attack in a ruthless performance. Once again Andrew Brazzale was excellent across the ground for Kew and is one of the most watchable players in the competition. However, it was the lesser lights for Kew who stood up throughout the afternoon. Josh Fidanza kicked 3, Jeremy Fultheim kicked one of the great goals from half back, Doug Lloyd punished the lagging NOBS/St Pats midfield and Billy Shute was superb in defence. Matthew Keown, one of the better players in the competition, was strong in the air and tireless at ground level for the Brunswick boys.

Willie Bee’s Clive Waterhouse MOTR 

It’s a pretty obvious choice this week in a game that leaves the narrator salivating. Ormond (6-0) travel to the Como to take on Old Geelong (5-1), in a game that could ask as many questions as it answers. Ormond win and they’ll have one hand on a top 2 finish. An Old Geelong upset and we have a remarkable Division 1 equation.

Old Geelong at home, by the skin of their teeth. 2 points.

 

Round 7 tips

Old Geelong v Ormond

Yarra Valley v Prahran Assumption

NOBS/St Pats v Bulleen Templestowe

Old Mentonians v St Mary’s Salesian

Kew v Whitefriars