ANZAC Day: Division 4

Division 4 matches commenced with ceremonies of varying sizes as teams stood arm in arm to remember the fallen in solemn ANZAC Day services.

Box Hill North had a good 31 point win over the winless Parkside at Koonung Reserve. The Demons and the Red Devils going toe-to-toe, or should that be pitch fork to pitch fork meant this was always going to be a hellish affair. Puns aside, Box Hill North stamped their authority on this contest with a six goal to one third quarter and Parkside were unable to mount a challenge in the last.

The Cobra fight at Canterbury was equally enthralling, not just because the two clubs that go by the name of Cobras met. Manningham and Canterbury are expected to be there at the pointy end this year, but it was the home side Canterbury that won the points on ANZAC Day. Four goals to Fitzgerald and a four quarter effort from his teammates saw that Canterbury’s Cobras continued their undefeated start to the season. For Manningham, they find themselves at 1-2 and behind the eight-ball early.

No one likes seeing scorelines like the one at Jordan Reserve on Saturday, but a depleted Chadstone managed just five points for the afternoon as they succumbed by 176 to a fired up North Brunswick. Ben Gallagher booted six goals and 10 other teammates were on the scoresheet as the Bulls ran rings around the Synners.

The Western derby was the game of the round and it lived up to its top billing if only by the closeness of the contest. Point Cook as hosts got the points over Westbourne Grammarians. The Bulldogs were nine points clear at the final siren in a low scoring affair at Saltwater Reserve. Sidwell’s three for the home side were important, but significantly Point Cook start 3-0 for the first time since 2012 when they made their only finals appearance.

Mt Lilydale’s trip down East Link was a profitable one as they cam away from South Mornington with a two goal win. The Tigers falling short of a first win in a couple of seasons, whilst the Rams opened their 2015 account.