Sheridan Harris

A misfiring Emmaus St Leo’s went down to a fast-finishing Parkside by 6 points in a fiery thriller at Pitcher Park on the weekend. It was a tough competition all day despite the Red Devils leading at every break. Sam Barrah and Jack Hunt both finished with three goals each for the Animals, though it was Hugh Schaeche who was named best on. The fourth quarter ebbed and flowed, with both teams leading throughout and momentum swinging right up until the final siren. Simon Mackie (2) continued his goalkicking ways for Parkside, with Matthew Holden and Blake Salmon also kicking two of their own. Despite the loss, the Animals still sit just inside the 4 on the ladder while the Red Devils sit second, unbeaten.

Richmond Central’s Saturday hero was Jack Bilson, who kicked seven goals to earn a best on ground performance in his team’s 98-point demolition of Westbourne Grammarians at Kevin Bartlett Reserve. The win takes them to the top of the ladder with a healthy percentage. The Warriors couldn’t take a trick on the weekend despite some brilliance from Joseph Abdulla (3), going into the halftime break 56 points down, while a 7-goal final quarter saw the Snakes fully cement themselves as winners. Alexander Benson (3), Jake Munro (2), Benjamin Krieger (2) and Tom Rivers (2) all had supporting roles for Richmond Central.

North Brunswick went down at home to Canterbury by two goals on the weekend, despite efforts from Peter Butler (2), and Rory Litchfield who took home the best on ground performance for his team. North Brunswick’s score line might be half a concern, finishing the game 7.15. Nick Szabo kicked four majors for the Cobras to earn himself best on ground, while Steven Pimm guest-starred with two of his own. The hope was high for North Brunswick, who finished the third term in front, but a four-goal to one final quarter saw Canterbury storm home to take the four points for their first win of the season.

Division 3 leading goalkicker Henry Kain (6) and Darcy Johnston (5) kicked Hawthorn AFC to victory on the weekend as the Hawks dismantled Albert Park by 102 points. The Falcons did their best to stem the flood of majors, but a 6-goal final quarter all but sealed a deal that had arguably been closed since the half time break. Joshua Paolo starred for his Falcons, but his four majors could do nothing but provide a slight bit on sunlight in an otherwise dour day at Rathmines Road Reserve. Lucas Hutchinson (1) earned himself a best on ground performance for Hawthorn while Justin Raiti and Theo Ralph contributed with three each of their own.