Division 3: West Brunswick train rolls on

By Gavin Southern – @gavsouthern

Blustering conditions all over Melbourne made life difficult for the Division 3 sides last Saturday. Aquinas escaped a scare over La Trobe. The Vultures have dropped another. The Razorbacks and the Saints are back. With just the 4 games and 3 teams with byes, there was still a lot to like about Round 13.  To the games:

La Trobe defeated by Aquinas 

Aquinas ventured out to La Trobe Uni, intent on claiming 6 in a row. In this first quarter, La Trobe defended superbly as Aquinas could only muster 3 goals with a very favourable wind. During the second quarter, La Trobe was extremely wasteful in front of goals kicking 1.7 but remained in touch at the half time break, trailing by seven. Aquinas took advantage of the wind, kicking 5.6 to nothing and took a commanding 43-point lead into the last. The home side literally threw caution to the wind in the last, scoring 8.5 to just the 3 points but fell agonisingly short losing by a straight kick. The two Mitchs; Clark and Pearson, kicked 2 and Elliot Kelly and Ryan McMinn worked hard all day for the Students. Michael Jess was the only multiple goal scorer for the Bloods and Tim Neizen was best on.

Albert Park defeated by Glen Eira 

Glen Eira travelled to Beaurepaire Pavillion to take on the Falcons. The wind is always a factor on this ground and the wide-open area. The Glen Eira “skeleton” team was no more, as they made 6 big changes in the line-up after resting players against the Animals last week. The Saints started with the wind and amassed a 38-point lead heading into the first change. Then it was the Falcons turn in the second term, outscoring the Saints, 47-2. The Saints returning the favour again with the wind in the 3rd term, scoring 41-2 in a seesawing battle, akin to the momentum swings in an Ali-Frazier fight! By the 4th, the wind was less of a factor. Glen Eira was able to hold off the Falcons and evened the scoring, coming away victors by 22 points. Returning star, Daniel Entwistle earned BOG honours and topped the scoreboard with 5 majors, Julius Waras Carstensen with 3. Ryan Want and Jack Amies were best for Albert Park.

West Brunswick defeated Uhs-Vu

There isn’t much at Ransford Oval either to protect players from the wind. Windy conditions do tend to suit the bigger players and the Magpies have them all over the ground. The under-manned Vultures though, started with the wind and made the most of every opportunity presented to them kicking 3 straight. Any errors made were quickly snapped up by the Magpies but, never really hurt them on the scoreboard until the 3rd quarter, when they kicked 6-3 and 14-25 for the day.  Uhs-Vu battled hard but the Magpies simply had too much firepower. Kynan Barnes and John Clark were best for the Vultures. Scott Hulm (4 goals), Will Dillon (3 goals) and Luke Buckler (2) were the multiple goal-scorers for the Magpies. Cashin Cormac and Evan Lloyd both played well. Joel Beer was BOG.

Swinburne defeated Eley Park

It was also a big day for Swinburne with 20-year anniversary celebrations and team of decade being announced. The Razorbacks got off to a great start with the midfield and forward pressure giving a 6-goal lead at quarter time. The Sharks came out in the 2nd quarter, kicking with the wind and kicking 4 goals in quick succession. Eley Park pegged the margin back to two goals just prior to halftime but Swinburne were able to get two more goals late in the quarter to snuff out any chance the Sharks might have had. “Burner” Bahnsen’s return was solid and he was able to capitalize with majors from very few forward entries. It was a well-deserved win for Swinny who are glad to be back in the winners list, having had lost their last 4 games. Chris Marsiglio and Josh Beasley were Eley Park’s better performers and some good signs were Patrick McMahon (2 goals) and Bahnsen (4 goals) getting through full games unscathed. For Swinny, Tom Kennedy kicked straight with 5 goals, Damon Green 4 and Justin Perillo 3. Daniel Lyon was man of the match. Eley Park now sits in a tumultuous position, just below La Trobe on the bottom of the table.

Preview:

Just the 4 rounds to go and Eley Park get to rest up. Every game is important in shaping the final ladder. Onto the games for this week:

Emmaus St. Leo’s (1st) host La Trobe Uni (10th). The Animals to win big and La Trobe to drop to bottom.

The Albert Park (8th) vs Swinburne Uni (6th) just misses out as my match of the round but this will be a close one. Swinburne.

A dominant West Brunswick (2nd) travel to Packer Reserve to encounter Glen Eira (7th). If the Saints want finals, they can’t afford to rest players, as percentage could be what keeps them out. West Brunswick too strong.

Hawthorn (4th) host Uhs-Vu (5th) in my Match of the Round. I’m predicting a rested Hawks to come away with it, which will leave UHS-VU losing 4 of their last 5. Evidently, not good timing for the Vultures heading towards September.

Lastly, Power House (9th) host Aquinas (3rd). Aquinas got a scare last week and knows Power House is finally starting to find form. Aquinas for me.

Eley Park has their second bye and then a massive game for Division 3 survival against Power House.

Tips:

Emmaus St. Leo’s Vs. La Trobe Uni

Albert Park Vs. Swinburne Uni

Glen Eira Vs. West Brunswick 

Hawthorn Vs. Uhs-Vu

Power House Vs. Aquinas