HOME AND AWAY IS DONE: DIVISIONS 1-4

Therry Penola completed the perfect home and away season in Division 1, winning their 18th match from 18 rounds at Old Mentonians. The Lions were made to earn it by a Mentonians side clinging to a slim chance of joining Therry Penola in the finals. However the Division 1 the finals race was set when Old Geelong beat MHSOB by 100 points. It was the Unicorns last showing in Division 1 as their next match will be in Division 2, round 1 next year. Wigan bagged half a dozen goals for OGs.
Prahran Assumption went hell for leather against North Old Boys/St Patrick’s, the Two Blues dominated to win by 93 points as Robbins kicked seven goals in the win. 
Yarra Valley signed off their 2014 season with a 41 point win over Whitefriars. Savage booting seven goals for the Bushrangers. 
Bulleen Templestowe will be returning to Division 2 after they fell to Williamstown CYMS by 35 points. Molan was classy with five goals for the CY’s whilst Cherbakof gave everything also kicking five for the Bullants. 
Therry Penola will meet Williamstown CYMS in the second semi final next weekend whilst NOB/St Pat’s will play Old Geelong in the knock out 1st Semi Final. 
The four was already complete in Division 2 prior to Round 18 but that didn’t stop those heading for finals putting their best foot forward. 
St Mary’s Salesian was the front runner of those sides, their 67 point win over the Gryphons was great preparation ahead of a finals campaign.Dwyer booted five goals for the Saints. For Monash Gryphons their season ends on a sour note and a return to Division 3 for 2015. 
Kew re-affirmed their finals credentials with a 29 point away win over fourth placed Old Paradians. Andrew Brazzale booted five goals in the win, whilst David Boundy kicked four goals for Paradians. 
Ivanhoe again demonstrated what could have been with an 11 point win over Old Eltham. The Hoes will miss the finals, whilst the Turtles head into their 1st semi final off the back of a loss. Lovell was on fire again, this time with five goals. 
Glen Eira signed off from Division 2 in sensational style, the Saints recording their second win of the season when they defeated South Melbourne Districts by 15 points. Alaster Bradley kicked five goals for the Saints who will line up in Division 3 next year. 
Another side left to speculate on what might have been is St Johns. The JOCs handed Elsternwick a 79 point thrashing in their final game of the year. Travis Hendy kicked six goals in the win that sees them finish the year in sixth place just a game outside the four. 
Kew will play St Mary’s Salesian in the second semi final whilst Old Paradians will be wearing the white shorts in their 1st Semi Final match up with Old Eltham. 
In Division 3 the race was wide open for a spot in the six and all eyes were on Albert Park’s game against Power House. Albert Park crushed the dreams of Power House with a 57 point win that sees them finish inside the top six
Elsewhere, a sensational draw between La Trobe University and UHS-VU means the La Trobe are relegated in 2014. A win would have been good enough for La Trobe to hang on as Eley Park’s 141 point win over South Mornington didn’t earn them enough percentage to overhaul La Trobe. 
Aquinas defeated Emmaus St Leos and Northern Blues defeated St Francis Xavier meaning Blues will take top spot into September. Aquinas beat the Animals by 23 points to demonstrate that they are a side to watch over the next couple of weeks. Importantly for the Bloods they reclaimed third place to earn a higher seed for the finals. Northern Blues were not to know of the Animals demise, but they would have been smiling when they found out their 45 point win at St Francis Xavier was enough to move them to top spot. In the final six top spot is he only place with a guaranteed double chance. 
Richmond Central had a solid 25 point win over Swinburne University. The Snakes have rebounded well in the second half of the year and they will fancy their chances when they meet Emmaus St Leos in a qualifying final next weekend. 
Finals match ups for the three qualifying finals are as follows: Northern Blues will play Albert Park; Emmaus St Leos will meet Richmond Central; and Aquinas and Swinburne University will meet in the third qualifying final. The three winners, plus the highest place loser will progress to the preliminary finals the following week. 
In Division 4, Hawthorn did as Therry Penola had done in Division 1 and completed the home and away season with a 100% record. The Hawks simply too strong for the Dragons as they ran out winners by 118 points. 
Westbourne Grammarians fell an agonizing 1.05% short of a finals appearance as the Grammarians beat Point Cook by 37 points. It was a comeback from Manningham Cobras that meant their five point loss to West Brunswick kept them in the four on percentage from Westbourne. 
Elsewhere, Canterbury tuned up for a first VAFA finals appearance off the back of a 54 point win over North Brunswick. Andrew Baker added six goals to his tally for the year. 
In the final game of the Division 4 home and away season, Box Hill North did as they liked in their 177 point win over Chadstone. Toby Manning booted six goals and Daniel Penny kicked five for the Demons who end the season on a high. 
All finals venues and fixtures will be available to view on vafa.com.au on Sunday night.