Division 2: Turtles keep finals hopes alive

By Brenton Mann – @BrentyMann

Last week was most certainly not a round of nail biters, with the narrowest margin being Ivanhoe’s 38-point win over a determined Monash. The margins may have blown-out considerably, but the results didn’t come as a shock. All of the favourites won, and were gifted some handy percentage boosts coming into finals. After a disappointing loss a week prior, that subsequently saw Eltham drop out of the top-four, the Turtles bounced-back with an 87-point win over Richmond Central. The win carried greater significance, with Northern Blues thumping Melbourne High by 73 points at W.R Ruthven Reserve. Both sides face each other this week, in a game that may well and truly cement the top-four. Eltham may be a miserly game behind Northern on the ladder, but the Turtles hold a greater percentage, and a win this week would see them reclaim their spot. Eltham’s attacking prowess was on show for all to see last week, as the Turtles opened the game with a seven-goal opening term, and stormed home with 12 majors. They boasted eleven individual goal-kickers, with Mizzi bagging six, as Woods slotted four and Shea, Ogilvie and Gill kicked three apiece. Unfortunately for Richmond Central, their form has tapered somewhat as the end of the season has drawn nearer. Snakes’ key-forward Jake Munro made the most of limited opportunities, kicking three, but that was a minor positive on what was a gloomy day. After last week’s win, Eltham is perfectly placed to take on a rampaging Northern Blues this week and simply must win.

Northern Blues verified their 2015 finals credentials with a commanding 73-point win over Melbourne High. Northern, similar to Eltham, again showcased its attacking armoury with a five-goal opening term and a six-goal crescendo. The Blues recorded an impressive eleven individual goal-kickers, a feat that I’m sure will not be lost on the Turtles’ coaching staff. Melbourne High will be disappointed with their performance, but should take solace in the fact that it’s not the only team to be demolished by the Blues at W.R Ruthven Reserve. “Panda” Hawking was again industrious for the Unicorns as he bagged four, while Steve Villani toiled manfully. The Blues had winners across the board, as McRedmond slotted six, as dynamic, goal-kicking midfielder Damon Marcon kicked three. Marcon was prolific throughout and is working into some serious form. The equation this week for Northern is simple, win and finals are all but sewn-up. Melbourne High’s finals hopes are all but lost, but they’ve made strides this season in comparison to their recent dim years gone by. The Unicorns have bagged seven wins this year, which could turn to eight this week against cellar-dwellers South Melbourne.

St John’s will have gained a lot of confidence from their 118-point drubbing of a hapless South Melbourne. The writing was on the wall for the Districts as explosive St Johns’ midfielder Carson Strobel slotted one of his five goals for the day in the opening 20 seconds. Strobel combined perfectly with St Johns’ premier ruckman Dan Cattolico as the pair wreaked havoc, both through the stoppages and around the ground. St John’s by their own admission have failed to hit the heights of its early-season form, but hope that last week’s result will go a long way to resolving that. The JOCs opened the game with seven goals to two in the first, and mirrored that performance in the second. The second-half provided little spectacle, and handed St Johns’ three debutants, some much needed senior experience. The JOCs midfield lifted again post halftime, as wingman Corey Ely dominated with three and inside-mids, Corey Ladson and Anthony Brannan bagged two-apiece. For South Melbourne, it was dreary performance on a gloomy day, which gave their fans little to cheer about. Their effort could not be questioned, but the Districts were clearly out of their depth. The mood at Lindsay Hassett Oval should improve this week as their clash with Melbourne High presents a realistic chance to double South’s win tally for the year. St John’s host a Monash side determined to once again avoid relegation, and should by no means be underestimated.

Monash took it right up to ladder-leaders Ivanhoe in the first-half, but unfortunately couldn’t maintain the rage in the second and eventually succumbed to the Hoes by 38-points. The Gryphons had the better of a tight first quarter, and shocked Ivanhoe to lead by 13 points at the first change. Ivanhoe, somewhat dormant in the first, started to stir in the second but still trailed by three-points at the main change. The joy for the Gryphons quickly turned to agony as Ivanhoe piled on eleven goals to four in the second-half to seal a hard-fought win. Monash was by no means disgraced, and are in reasonable form that should see them avoid relegation. A win against St John’s this week will all but seal their spot in Div 2 for 2016. Ivanhoe has a considerably easier task, as it heads to the back oval at Sportscover Arena to take on Elsternwick.

Old Paradians and Elsternwick fought out an intriguing encounter at Garvey Oval that saw the Raiders deliver a barnstorming 12-goal final term to run-out 77-point winners. After a tumultuous week, the Wicks started sluggishly and trailed by 19-points at quarter-time. The Raiders, keen to accost second spot on the ladder were on track for a handy win. The Wicks however had other ideas and clawed their way back in second and third terms. With no more than a goal separating the two at the final change, the game was up for grabs. The Raiders did more than take; they grabbed it and ran for the hills. The Wicks will be disappointed with their last quarter fade out but need to take the positives into this week’s game against Ivanhoe. For Parade, they head to Kevin Bartlett Reserve and simply must win to keep their top-two dreams alive.

Tips:

Elsternwick vs Ivanhoe
Eltham vs Northern Blues
Richmond Central vs Old Paradians
MHSOB vs South Melbourne
St John’s vs Monash