Club XVIII Wrap

Round 8 saw several close matches as well as some rare victories to lower placed teams.

S1
La Trobe University led throughout the first three quarters against Ivanhoe, who powered home against the wind to snatch the lead in the last minutes of the match. The three point win will be a real tonic for the young Ivanhoe players, and the Hoes could well help shape the four over the remaining seven rounds. La Trobe will rue their missed opportunity to challenge for second place as they face the prospect of missing players through exams and vocation in the weeks ahead. Alex Koutsoukis kicked three important goals for Ivanhoe in the win.

North Old Boy’s/ St Patrick’s recorded their first win for 2015 as they outplayed Old Geelong to record a 32-point victory. The defeat leaves Old Geelong languishing on the bottom of the ladder after 8 rounds. Ben O’Halloran booted four majors for the victors and Darcy Brown put in a best on ground performance.

In very windy conditions third placed Richmond Central challenged unbeaten leaders Old Xaverians. The Xav’s forwardline was uncharacteristically wasteful in the first half, and despite having the best of the play were only two points up at the main break. The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, and at the final siren the Xaverians had claimed victory by twelve points. Best for the Xaverians on the day were Matthew Walsh, Simon O’Brien and John Raffaele. The Cardinals best were Sam Hartmann who dominated the hitouts, Andrew Read and Mark McCabe.

Another surprise result was the ten point victory at Como Park by Prahran/Assumption over second placed Hawthorn, who again succumbed to a fast paced brand of football on a big ground. The first half was tightly contested before the Two Blue’s accurate finishing enabled them to take home the four points on the day. Prahran/Assumption were again well served by their veteran multi Mason Medal winners, Craig Berger and Jason Storer. For Hawthorn, the consistent Nick Criticos kicked two goals, and Anthony Marguccio was among the best.

S2

Undefeated leaders St Francis Xavier outplayed 4^th placed Melbourne High School Old Boys to record a 95-point win. The Unicorns failed to score at one end and could only manage to score two goals in the entirety of the match. Brendan O’Hara kicked four goals in the onslaught and Sam Burns played a crucial role in the win.

The match of the round was played at Ormond where the home side went down to Westbourne Grammarians a solitary point. Ormond started well and held a 2-point advantage at the long interval. Westbourne’s greater accuracy in front of goal handed them a three quarter time lead of four points and the last quarter proved to be a nail biter right up until the final siren.

Second placed, Albert Park proved too strong for University High School/VU, whose inability to score in the last quarter led to a 40-point defeat. The stage is now set for Albert Park to challenge St Francis Xavier today.

A depleted West Brunswick proved no match for a younger and quicker Kew team, who led throughout to record victory by 45 points. West Brunswick inaccuracy did them no favours in the defeat. Kew had a star up forward in Patrick Godfrey who kicked five goals. Others to perform well for Kew were Michael Vergamilis and James McCubbin. For the losers Matthew Barron, Jimmy Forbes and Aiden Coultin were gallant in defeat.

Preview of Round 9.

S1

Hawthorn must regain momentum today against North Old Boy’s/St Patrick’s after their round 8 loss. At home, Hawthorn should win well against their lower placed opponents. The NOB’s will undoubtedly provide spirited opposition. The Ivanhoe versus Richmond Central match should prove to be an interesting contest. The young Ivanhoe side plays with intensity and certainly will make the fourth placed Cardinals earn a victory on the day. After watching each of these sides in Round 8, I select Richmond Central on the back of strong the strong recent form of Sam Hartmann and Peter Iser. La Trobe University, despite exams and vocation, should return to the winning list today against eighth placed Old Geelong. Old Geelong’s players have not displayed the same standard of talent as have their opponents over eight rounds. Long standing rivals, Old Xaverians and Prahran/Assumption meet at Stradbroke Park. Although recent form has not been at their accustomed standard, I suspect Old Xaverians will be too skilled and fast for their opponents.

S2

In what is shaping as a potential grand final preview, undefeated leaders St Francis Xavier travel to Albert Park to take on second placed Albert Park. Albert Park’s only blemish this season was their Anzac Day loss to St Francis, a tightly contested match which was decided by 12-points. Although conditions at Albert Park will favour the home side, I select St Francis whose forward line displays the greater flexibility. Kew, who are the most improved side in 2015 should continue on their winning way at the expense of Westbourne Grammarians. In the battle of traditional rivals at Forest Hill I favour Melbourne High School Old Boys to return to the winners list at the expense of University High School/ VU, who despite showing promise, have experienced great difficulty converting opportunities into scores. West Brunswick should stay in touch with the top four sides by defeating Ormond at the Ransford Oval, where no Ormond side has played for over fifty seasons (if at all!). West Brunswick has the better form to warrant my selection, so I believe they will win.

S1
Hawthorn v North Old Boy’s/St Patrick’s
Ivanhoe v Richmond Central
LaTrobe v Old Geelong
Old Xaverians v Prahran/Assumption

S2
Albert Park v St Francis Xavier
Kew v Westbourne Grammarians
MHSOB v UHS/VU
West Brunswick v Ormond