PENULTIMATE EXCHANGE – DIV 1-4

MHSOB’s time in Division 1 is almost over after they failed to beat top of the the ladder Hampton Rovers. The Rovers won by 36 points and MHSOB will need a more than the five goals that Orchard managed, plus rely on the Bullants losing heavily if they are to avoid the drop. 
Bulleen Templestowe couldn’t quite confirm safety as they went down to Old Geelong by 3 goals. The OGs late season revival has been too little too late. 
Prahran Assumption kept alive faint hopes of stealing a finals spot, defeating the high flying Ormond by 13 points. 
Robertson kicked 8 goals as Old Mentonians confirmed Division 1 football next year with a 99 point win over Glen Eira.  
Whilst Vanderloo kicked 9 goals on the way to helping Williamstown CYMS record a 15 point at Whitefirars. The loss by the Friars has them holding on the 4th spot from the Two Blues of Prahran Assumption by 13%. 
The final four is set in Division 2 as St Mary’s Salesian bounced back from an up and down fortnight with a very good win over finals rival Old Eltham. The win was all the more significant for the Saints as they beat the Turtles on their home deck and the two sides will meet in a knock out semi final in two weeks time. 
In the most significant match of the section, Monash Gryphons hosted Ivanhoe in a relegation play off. Ivanhoe came out on top with a 16 point win to be a game and 6% clear of the Gryphons. All is not lost for Monash though as they play bottom side Emmaus St Leos next week whilst Ivanhoe have the daunting task of travelling to top side Therry Penola… watch this space. 
St Johns’ late bid for finals is over despite getting up to defeat South Melbourne Districts by a goal. 
Therry Penola travelled to Yarra Valley for a dress rehearsal of their second semi final in a fortnight. The Bushrangers will take great confidence into that final having defeated the mighty Lions by 15 points. The win was all the more meritorious as Jarrod Bannister still kicked 5 goals and brother Corey 3 for Therry Penola. 
Old Paradians made up for their early season draw against Emmaus St Leos with a comfortable 29 point win over the Animals. 
In Division 3 Albert Park crushed La Trobe’s dreams of a finals berth by defeating the Uni by 11 points by the Albert Park Lake. McMeel kicked another bag (5) but it wasn’t enough as La Trobe ceded 6th spot to Aquinas. 
Aquinas take 6th courtesy of their 111 point thrashing of South Mornington. La Marca’s five goals the stand out, with a final round win for the Bloods to be good enough to secure them 6th spot. 
Richmond Central were another team in the mix to fall from the ladder but they came to play when they visited Elsternwick. The Snakes grabbed a 20 point win (Bucci 6 goals) and also secured themselves a finals berth. The Wicks have now dropped three on the trot and will want to rediscover some kind of form in Round 18 before their first final. 
Power House stunned 4th placed St Francis Xavier by 33 points. SFX had five goals from Smith but Power House played a team game for four quarters that netted them a morale boosting win. 
Kew cruised past Old Westbourne by 94 points and UHS-VU tuned up for finals with a 43 point win over Swinburne Uni. 
In Division 4, Chadstone’s season is over (they have the bye in Round 18) as the Synners ended 2013 winless. Today they were thumped by Point Cook (Herbertson 5 goals) to the tune of 133 points. 
Manningham Cobras had a morale boosting win defeating Dragons by a goal. It is a disappointing end to the campaign of the Dragons who started their VAFA journey with such a rush. 
Eley Park Sharks ignored the mercy rule as they banged on 34.13 in a 169 point win over Box Hill North. Bahnsen kicked nine goals and Perkins 6 as the Sharks played relentlessly for four quarters. 
Hawthorn were given a real fight by Northern Blues, with the Hawks managing to hold on to win by 8 points. It makes for an interesting finals series; if the ladder remains the same after next week then these two will meet at a neutral venue in week one of finals and Blues will give themselves every chance. 
North Brunswick had an 83 point win over Mt Lilydale with the Bulls served well by six goals from Gallagher.