Aquinas continue to shock the VAFA community by storming into the top four with a win over Manningham, Glen Eira came back from over 50 points down to roll Canterbury, Hawthorn shook off Swinburne Uni, Richmond Central ended their season with a win over La Trobe Uni and Westbourne Grammarians did what they needed to against Albert Park. If Round 18 was the entrée for what the next three weeks has in store, Division 3 Finals will be a delicious main course.
2nd Semi Final – Glen Eira v Hawthorn AFC @ Whitefriars College
GLEN EIRA (17-1)
Last 5 – WWWWW
Average For – 116 points
Average Against – 62 points
Goalkickers – Lachlan Pound 33, Brent Connelly 29, Alex Erwin-Ross 28, Daniel Entwistle 27
Most Listed in Best – Stuart Carey, Ashley Carey, Julian Stone, Lachlan Pound.
Rounds in Top 4 – 18.
HAWTHORN AFC (13-5)
Last 5 – WLWLL
Average For – 120 points
Average Against – 78 points
Goalkickers – Steven Wintle 38, Richard Ogge 36, Aaron Downie 35, Justin Raiti 26
Most Listed in Best – Justin Raiti, Aaron Downie, Tom Boots, Cameron Allum.
Rounds in Top 4 – 14.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Round 3 – Glen Eira 20.13.135 def Hawthorn 11.14.80
Round 14 – Glen Eira 17.8.110 def Hawthorn 15.13.103
THE CASE FOR GLEN EIRA: Simply how can you tip against the side that has the record that the Gryphons have accumulated over 2018? The only team to be inside the top four every round, with the best defence in the competition and the second strongest offence, all signs lead to Glen Eira securing a Grand Final berth, a week off and furthermore a promotion to Division 2 for 2019. If the case wasn’t strong enough, Round 18 saw them overcome around an eight-goal deficit during the third quarter against a Canterbury side that had a finals berth on the line, there is a methodical dominance this side possess and even if they are off, such is their class that they can turn things around even during a quarter. With winners all over the park, the Gryphons have taken all before them to date and I can’t see any reason why this would change now.
THE CASE FOR HAWTHORN: The Hawks best can certainly serve it right up to the Gryphons, showcased in their Round 14 meeting where Hawthorn squandered opportunities to go down by seven points. Wintle, Ogge and Downie headline goal scoring avenues which has lead the Brown & Gold to be the highest scoring side in Division 3. If they can get things on their terms, the Hawks can certainly kick a score to get the chocolates on the weekend. Whilst the past month they haven’t set the world on fire, big names rise at this time and Hawthorn certainly have put themselves in a position via the double chance to get the victory this weekend.
1st Semi Final – Westbourne Grammarians v Aquinas @ Garvey Oval
WESTBOURNE GRAMMARIANS (12-6)
Last 5 – WWWWL
Average For – 103 points
Average Against – 74 points
Goalkickers – Dale Collins 40, Benjamin Johnson 34, Ali Eqbal 29, Patrick O’Brien 21
Most Listed In Best – Patrick O’Brien, Justin Porter, Timothy Rogers, Michael Culliver.
Rounds in Top 4 – 8
AQUINAS (10-8)
Last 5 – WWWWW
Average For – 99 points
Average Against – 81
Goalkickers – Jake Cawsey 41, Ashley Naulty 37, Lachlan Naulty 31, Billy O’Loughlin 27
Most Listed In Best – Anthony Mattioli, Jarred Sund, Lachlan Barnes, Philip Dyck
Rounds in Top 4 – 4.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Round 8 – Westbourne Grammarians 15.7.97 def Aquinas 12.13.85
Round 14 – Aquinas 12.6.78 def Westbourne Grammarians 8.11.59
THE CASE FOR WESTBOURNE GRAMMARIANS: Having been nestled in the top four since Round 11 for eight consecutive weeks, the Warriors come into this clash on the back of some outstanding results. Included in these second half of the season wins were against Glen Eira (1st) and Hawthorn (2nd), as well as Manningham and Canterbury who, when fixtured, were in the fighting for finals spots. The only hiccup of late has been to their opponents today, and there is no doubt Westbourne Grammarians would have learnt from this Round 14 match-up. A tough side with ball winners on the inside and outside, the Warriors play a finals-brand of football and will relish the occasion.
THE CASE FOR AQUINAS: You could write a novel on the Aquinas season, with the Bloods not a chance to make the finals right up to the third quarter of Round 18, when Canterbury sat 50 points in front of Glen Eira. With two other results going their way, and the Cobras falling to the Gryphons, Aquinas sat in the top four at 4.30pm Saturday for the first time since Round 4. They turned for home at the half way mark sitting 8th and were precariously placed 7th going into the final game of the season. The Bloods have taken some big scalps over the last part of the season, including their opponents today in Round 14. With Big V Representative Phil Dyck giving the Bloods onballers first use, and their current momentum, stopping the wave will take the best of the Warriors. Statistically both sides are very even across the season and Aquinas will know they are up to their necks in this contest. With Jake Cawsey coming off the back of seven majors against Manningham, the Bloods could continue their run into a Preliminary Final.
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