Playing in the sunshine

Rich Hummerson
@Richie_Humm

After a miserable and sodden week, with promises from our adored meteorologists that the weekend would be no different, Mother Nature treated us to an autumn day for the ages. A chance to not only get some much needed vitamin D on our now, near translucent pins, but hopefully a chance to watch some quality, fiercely contested games footy.

While the quality was there, the fiercely contested games were not, with four games boasting a David versus Goliath scenario. All of which unfortunately had devastating consequences for the little man with the slingshot.

The clash between Masala and Box Hill North at WJ Turner Reserve yielded 41 goals between the two sides, 31 of which belonged to the rampant Box Hill. Masala, as they have on many occasions before, started beautifully, trading blows with Box Hill throughout the first quarter and going into the first break trailing by a mere four points. But unfortunately for Masala in the 2^nd quarter, they would be plagued by an equally similar trait, and allowed Box Hill 11, 2^nd quarter goals, blowing the game wide open in the process. Lead by Daniel Penny who helped himself to a bag of 11 Box Hill ran out very comfortable winners by 126 points. Alex Nyhuis was sensational all day, and Benjamin Marcakis chipped in for Box Hill while for Masala it was Zach Kelly, Jaryd Coghill and Josh Kyle who tried hard all day.

For even the most optimistic of Chadstone supporters, this was never going to end well. Top versus bottom generally will rarely through up any surprises, let alone when you have two sides in such contrasting form. Canterbury took a little while to get the wheels rolling, but once the machine was greased, it wasn’t stopping. A 19 goal first half put the contest beyond doubt, a 14 goal second half was great for the percentage. Canterbury had 12 goal kickers for the day, Jimmy Wilson the best with seven and Tommy Pearce kicked four in his best game to date. Callan May toiled hard all day for Chadstone, netting three goals for his hard work, and Caillin Austin did his best through the midfield in extremely difficult conditions.

After a journey so long you could almost make a legitimate case to travel by air, Point Cook got off to a sluggish start against South Mornington, before finding their feet and running out winners by an even 100 points. Perhaps it was the travel, a hint of complacency, or South Mornington’s continued improvement, but South Mornington, at least for a quarter showed they could compete with the competition’s best. And while the Tigers only managed to stay within striking distance for a quarter, the signs of improvement are there for the lads on the peninsula. For Point Cook, continue to make claims for the top rung, Willie Dawson slotted nine in a dominant performance, Julian Mandahl five and Matthew Herbertson three.

The pundits who billeted Manningham vs North Brunswick as the match of the round and perhaps the only game that would be relatively close were bang on. The sides only separated by a few kicks from pillar to post. Manningham drew first blood, and went into the break with a surprising, yet deserved lead. Tom Bell and Brendan McHugh dominating through the midfield and Chris Jolly doing his bit up forward early. But for Manningham, who have struggled to recapture their 2014 form, the quarter time break would be the last time they led. North Brunswick piled on the goals shortly after the huddles broke up. North Brunswick would run out eventual winners by 17 points. Adam Karim kicked five and Matty Dal Santo and Ben Gallagher were up to their usual tricks.

Westbourne slipped into fourth spot after running out comfortable winners against Parkside by 59 points. In what’s becoming a regular and concerning trend for Parkside, they managed to stay within arm’s length of Westbourne for 40 minutes, before running out of puff shortly before half-time. Shane McLaren notched up his third best on for the season, as is yet to be outside the top three for Parkside this year is in scintillating form, there couldn’t be a bloke in Victoria with more centre clearances and Tim Wise impressed on debut. For the victorious Westbourne it was the rampaging Dale Collins who booted another bag of seven and Matthew Muhar who carried Westbourne to an easy win.

Salivating with some big games, none bigger than the 1 versus 3 clash between Canterbury and North Brunswick. Very hard to split the two, but after an easy victory last week, I’m picking the rested Canterbury to win, just. Point Cook and Mannigham meet for the second time this season, and I’m tipping history to repeat its dose, Point Cook to win by four goals. Mt Lilydale should beat Chadstone, but it will be close, Box Hill will make light work of South Mornington as will Westbourne of Masala.

North Brunswick v Canterbury

Point Cook v Manningham

Mt Lilydale v Chadstone

Box Hill North v South Mornington

Westbourne Gr v Masala