Division 2 – Upsets all-round as Swans, Unicorns and Raiders win

MHSOB inflicted the upset of the round when they defeated the ladder-leading Ivanhoe by three points at Melbourne High School. Trailing the Hoes by 23 points at quarter time, the Unicorns gradually climbed back into the match and led by eight at the final break. Three goals to two in the final quarter made for a classic as the boys from Melbourne High were able to hold on by less than a kick. Matthew Hamilton-Ho and Nick Hawking did the damage up forward for the Unicorns, kicking three each.

Inaccurate kicking cost Monash Gryphons their fourth win of the season as they went down to Eltham Collegians by seven points at East Caulfield Reserve. Kicking 13.14 for the match, the Gryphons had three more scoring shots than the Turtles but were unable to convert their chances. The loss leaves the Gryphons struggling in eighth spot on the ladder, while the Turtles remain fourth with eight wins from their 13 matches.

Old Paradians made it six in a row when they upset the second-placed St Johns by six points at Garvey Oval. Trailing by 14 points after the first term, the Raiders kicked nine goals to six in the remaining three quarters to scrape over the line. The win draws the Raiders level with the JOCs on 10 wins but they still trail with 10 less percentage points.

Northern Blues kept their finals chances well and truly alive with a 15-point win against Richmond Central at Kevin Bartlett Reserve. Lachlan McRedmond provided the spark up forward for the Blues as he snagged seven of his side’s goals. The Blues sit fifth on the Division Two ladder with eight wins, while the Snakes are seventh win just five.

South Melbourne Districts put an end to their winless start to the season with a 16-point win against Elsternwick at Lindsay Hassett Oval. Trailing at the half, the Swans put together a dominant second half in which they piled on nine goals to the Wickers’ six. Jason Clifford ran riot in a best-on-ground performance, while Justin Hunter kicked five for the losing side.