Preston win battle of the bullants, JOCs on the board first up

After sitting out with the Round 1 bye, St John’s commenced their season with a hard-fought 19-point win against Yarra Valley at Doncaster Reserve. Led by Aaron Thornton’s eight majors, the JOCs rarely looked threatened as they went into each break ahead of their opponents.  Keith Ash was other standout performance for the JOCs, while Jordan Canham backed up his four first round goals with another four for the Bushrangers.

Reigning Division 3 premiers, West Brunswick, registered their first win in Division 2 with a 47-point thumping of Old Eltham Collegians at Eltham College. Joel Beer ran riot in a best-on-ground display for the Westies and Dylan Muscat kicked four. Jonathan Iaquinto battled valiantly for the Turtles, who now sit at the bottom of the ladder.

Melbourne High School Old Boys inflicted Emmaus St Leo’s second consecutive loss with a 29-point come-from-behind victory at Melbourne High School this afternoon. The 2-0 Unicorns came from 29 points down at half time and kicked 12 of the next 15 goals to run out the game. Beau Jellis continues to cause havoc in front of goal with four for the winning side, while two-time Hutchinson medallist, Paul Baranello, snagged three for the Animals.

A 14-goal second half has helped Preston Bullants to a monster 72-point win against Bulleen Templestowe at WR Ruthven Reserve. Leading by just two points at the main break, Preston piled on 14 of the next 18 goals thanks in large to Kent Beaumont’s four in front of the big sticks. Nicholas De Andrade, Sean Calcedo and Roland Buttigieg combined for nine Preston majors and Anthony Lucisano snagged four for Bulleen.