JOCs prove too strong in Division 2

By Jarryd McGuane – @JMcGuane

Round 6 in Division 2 saw three extremely tight match ups while St Johns OC maintained their top position on the ladder and unbeaten start to the year.

Yarra Valley OB came from behind to keep Eltham Collegians winless this season, as the Bushrangers headed home from Eltham College with a 12 point victory. Yarra Valley OB started strongest putting seven goals on the board to Eltham Collegians four to lead by 15 points at quarter time. The Bushrangers extended their lead at half time to 22 points after holding the Turtles to two goals as they kicked three more. The game turned in the third as Eltham Collegians were dominant with a seven to two goal quarter to lead by nine points at the final change. It looked as if the Turtles would get their first win, but the Bushrangers had one more push to get over the line. Yarra Valley OB wrestled back control and would claim the 12 point victory after a five to two goal final quarter. Lochlan Dickson was the best on the ground for Yarra Valley OB and Jordan Canham added another five goals to be once again the leading goal kicker. Ben Gill again was the leading goal kicker for the Turtles with six goals, with Jayden Shea being their best.

In a low scoring affair at Ted Ajani Reserve, Emmaus St Leos nearly were left to rue inaccuracy as they came from behind to defeat Bulleen/Templestowe by three points. The Animals would jump out to a 10 point lead at the end of the first quarter. The lead would extend to 17 points in the second quarter as Emmaus St Leos held the Bullants goalless for the second quarter. The margin could have been far better for the Animals as they had kicked 3.9 to the Bullants 1.4. In the third, Bulleen/Templestowe awoke and held Emmaus St Leos to 1.1 for the quarter as they added 5.1 to lead at the start of the final quarter by seven points. But the Bullants could not hold of the final charge of the Animals as three final quarter goals was enough to steal the three point victory. Daniel Hill was the major goal kicker with three goals and also best on the ground for Emmaus St Leos. Billy Wilson was the Bullants best, while Jack Cowell was the major goal kicker with three.

St Johns OC travelled to Kevin Bartlett Reserve and inflicted a punishing 129 point defeat on Richmond Central to remain undefeated. The JOC’s held the Snakes to one behind as they kick six goals themselves to lead by 40 points at quarter time. Richmond Central got two goals on the scoreboard in the second quarter but another four from St Johns OC to hold a 54 point lead at half time. The game was completely beyond doubt in the third quarter as the Snakes again were held goalless and conceded ten as the margin sat at 113 points at the final change. Another six goals to three in the JOC’s favour pushed the final margin to 129. Tim Edwards and Aaron Thornton were a constant threat with nine goals and six goals respectively and Glenn Costas was the best on the ground. Joel Luis battled hard of the Snakes and Steven Bugeja was the only multiple goal kicker with two.

Preston Bullants returned from the bye with some rust as MHSOB held on for a three point victory at W.R. Ruthven Reserve. The Bullants started slowly as they gave up six goals to the Unicorns and could only manage two goals themselves to trail by 23 points. In a tight second quarter neither side could put one through the big sticks as three behinds to one in favour of Preston Bullants reduced the margin to 21. MHSOB increased the margin out to 27 points at three quarter time as Preston Bullants remained inaccurate. The final quarter saw the Bullants dominate, but their final quarter score of 4.6 to the Unicorns 1.0 proved to be enough and fell three points short of a comeback. Steve Villani was the Unicorns best, with Kane Smith the major goal kicker with three. Kent Beaumont was Preston Bullants only multiple goal kicker with two and Olsen Clark was their best.

Round seven sees West Brunswick return from the bye to host the winless Richmond Central at Ransford Oval. The Preston Bullants travel to face the inform Yarra Valley OB with both sides hoping to push up the ladder. MHSOB freshly off defeating the then second placed Preston Bullants return

back to Melbourne High School to face Bulleen/Templestowe. In the final game of the round at Thomas Carroll Reserve, top of the table St Johns OC hope to continue their form while keeping the winless Eltham Collegians as they still chase their first win of the season. This leaves the surprisingly impressive 3-3 Emmaus St Leos with the bye.

Tips

West Brunswick vs Richmond Central

MHSOB vs Bulleen/Templestowe

St Johns OC vs Eltham Collegians

Yarra Valley OB vs Preston Bullants

Emmaus St Leos has the bye