It’s all happening in Division 2

By Jarryd McGuane – @JMcGuane

In an exciting second round of Division 2 we saw the return of last year’s finalists St Johns OC to action, a first win for a promoted side and another impressive come from behind victory.

A strong first half was not enough for Emmaus St Leo’s to get their first win of the season, as MHSOB took the 29-point victory at Melbourne High School. The game started with Emmaus St Leos getting out of the gate quickly to take an 11 point lead into quarter time. The Animals continued to extend their lead in the second quarter and led by 29 points at half time. But with a five to one goal quarter for the Unicorns brought the margin back to one point at the final change. With the momentum from the third quarter, MHSOB maintained their dominance in the final term to run out with the 29-point victory. Beau Jellis added to his five goals from round one with a bag of four and a best on ground performance for the Unicorns. Jack Wotherspoon was the Animals best while Paul Barranello put through three majors.

St Johns OC returned to VAFA action in Round 2 in the winner’s column, defeating Yarra Valley OB by 19 points at Doncaster Reserve. The game started in a tight fashion with St Johns taking a four-point lead into the first change. The JOC’s extended their lead in the second quarter out to 18 points after kicking five goals to the Bushrangers two goals. Yarra Valley battled hard and were able to reduce the margin to 13 points at three quarter time as they looked to maintain their unbeaten start to the year. But St Johns settled in the last quarter with four goals to three to take the margin out to 19 at the final siren. Aaron Thornton was dominant for the JOC’s putting through 8 goals and Keith Ash was best on ground. Ryan Pollard was the best for the Bushrangers as Jordan Canham kicked four goals for the second week in a row.

After a very competitive round one, West Brunswick became the first of the 2015 promoted sides to get a Division 2 victory, taking down Eltham Collegians at Eltham College by 47 points. West Brunswick got off to a flyer of a start and never allowed Eltham Collegians to settle. The Magpies started with a five goal quarter to the Turtles one as the hit the first break with a 25-point lead. The West Brunswick lead was extended to 34 points by the end of the second quarter, as the game looked as if the Magpies would blow the Turtles away. The momentum didn’t change in the third quarter but West Brunswick’s inaccuracy was the only reason that the margin didn’t reach above the 44 point third quarter time margin. The final quarter was effectively halved as both sides kicked three goals apiece, just the Magpies inaccuracy extending the final margin. Joel Beer was the best for West Brunswick, while Dylan Muscat put through four goals. Ben Gill was again Eltham Collegians leading goal kicker with three as Jonathan Iaquinto was the most influential for the Turtles.

In the battle of the Bullants, Preston – due to the strength of their second half – were able to hand Bulleen/Templestowe a 72point thumping at W.R. Ruthven Reserve. After a strong second half comeback against the Turtles last week, Bulleen/Templestowe could not show the same second half strength against the strong Preston outfit. The game looked as if it would be a tight one as Bulleen/Templestowe led by four points at quarter time and Preston took a two-point lead into half time. Preston was more successful in front of goal in the high scoring third quarter, as they won the quarter six goals to four and led by 19 at the final change. Preston then held Bulleen/Templestowe to one behind in the final quarter compared to eight goals themselves turning the game into a blowout. Kent Beaumont was Preston’s leading goal kicker with four goals and Nicholas De Andrade was best on ground. Anthony Lucisano was Bulleen/Templestowe’s best player and leading goal kicker with four majors.

Round 3 and fifth-placed West Brunswick travel to Doncaster Reserve to take on fourth placed Yarra Valley OB, with the winner to position themselves nicely in the top half of the ladder. If the start of the season for bottom placed Eltham Collegians couldn’t be tougher, have a difficult proposition as

they host top of the table Preston Bullants. Richmond Central return after the bye to take of Emmaus St Leo’s as both teams chase their first win of the year. The final match of the round sees a matchup of undefeated sides as 2-0 MHSOB host 1-0 St Johns OC at Melbourne High School. Bulleen/Templestowe have a week to regroup and lick their wounds as they have the bye in round 3.

Round 3 Tips

Yarra Valley OB vs West Brunswick

Eltham Collegians vs Preston Bullants

Richmond Central vs Emmaus St Leos

MHSOB vs St Johns OC