Club XVIII Round 2: Crocs devour Spartans

Norm Nugent

Round 2 results brought reality checks to Hawthorn, Ormond and Kew each of whom had scored big victories in Round 1.

Review

Section 1

Prahran/ Assumption and Richmond Central played an even three quarters before the “Snakes” asserted themselves in the last stanza, when, through greater accuracy, they won by sixteen points. A worrying sign for the “Two Blues” was the fact their best were veterans Crispin Myres (3 goals) and Craig Berger (2 goals). Old Geelong atoned for their Round 1 forfeit, when after a slow start they outplayed the more inaccurate North Old Boys/ St Patrick’s to win by eleven points. Expectations were high in the clash of the “Titans” when Old Xaverians and Hawthorn met on Stradbroke Park. Defenders were on top early and the “Crocodiles” were less than accurate with their kicking around the ground. Gradually, the reigning premiers asserted control through the second quarter and then held the “Spartans” scoreless in the third to lead by twenty points at the last change. The last quarter produced sixteen goals as the stand out teams of 2014 showed their 2015 potential before the Crocs went on to win. Under lights on Friday evening an inaccurate Ivanhoe lost to La Trobe University by forty two points. Ivanhoe gave up their home advantage by playing on the huge University Oval.

Section 2

West Brunswick easily won the “battle of Royal Park” when they defeated the very inaccurate University High School/V.U by fifty eight points. Their inability to put score board pressure on their opposition has been a problem University High School/ V.U. throughout their time in the competition. St Francis Xavier proved me a poor judge, because playing at Ormond held no fear for them as they triumphed over the home side by fifty nine points. I was advised that Albert Park will prove to be a leader in this competition and so it proved when they comfortably defeated Round 1 winner, Kew by forty five points. Kew started the better and the first half provided an even contest. Despite inaccuracy in the third quarter, Albert Park led by fifteen points at the last change. The final quarter saw them hold Kew goalless as they built their margin to forty five points. Beau Coyle was again a stand out for Albert Park. Melbourne High School Old Boys won their first game when they defeated Westbourne Grammarians by fifty five points.

Preview of Round 3

Section 1

Richmond Central should take the points against Ivanhoe who must travel to the Bartlett Oval for the early morning match. Hawthorn should return to the winner’s list by defeating North Old Boy’s/ St Patrick’s on the Gillon Oval. Although the big ground will test the “Spartans”, their depth of talent will ensure their victory. The wide expanses of Como Park will certainly test the aging Prahran/ Assumption players, who have failed to play out the four quarters in the two opening Rounds. Today Old Geelong should win this game although I suspect their final margin will be narrow. The match of the Round will be that between Old Xaverians and La Trobe University. Defeat is a foreign word to each of these sides and the younger La Trobe players will be keen to announce their competitiveness in this section. Form did come to the Xaverians as last week’s match progressed and today I favour them to defeat the Section newcomers.

Section 2

In what could be a Grand Final preview, newcomers, Albert Park travel to play St Francis Xavier in an early match. My selection is St Francis Xavier because I believe their home ground advantage will be marked. In an afternoon match, I favour Kew to defeat Ormond narrowly. Each team has a victory and a big loss this season so this encounter should provide a close contest. Home ground advantage should enable Kew to win. In the clash of long standing school rivalry, I favour Melbourne High to defeat University High/ V.U. on the Brens Oval. The inability of the home side to score will again make victory very hard to achieve. West Brunswick should possess sufficient talent to enable them to defeat Old Westbourne in their afternoon match.

Section 1

Richmond Central v Ivanhoe

NOBS/St Pats v Hawthorn

Old Geelong v Prahran Assumption

Old Xaverians v La Trobe Uni

Section 2

UHS-VU v MHSOB

West Brunswick v Westbourne Grammarians

Albert Park v St Francis Xavier

Kew v Ormond