Wet, windy & low-scoring in Division 2

A wet and windy Saturday in Round 9 of Division 2 kept the scores down as all four home sides held on to victories.

Yarra Valley OB maintained their good run of form as they defeated Bulleen/Templestowe by 23 points at Doncaster Reserve. Neither side got accustomed to the conditions in the first quarter as both sides failed to register a major as Yarra Valley OB would lead by one point at the first change. The Bushrangers had the better of the second quarter with 3.6 over the Bullants 2.0 giving them the 13-point half time lead. Bulleen/Templestowe did win the second quarter but only through the strength of behinds as each side kicked one goal as the margin was reduced to 10 points at the final change. But this was as close as the Bullants got as they were held scoreless in the last as two more Bushrangers goals put the result beyond doubt. Ross Little was the best for Yarra Valley and added three goals for good measure. Chance Burridge was the Bullants best while all of the three goals came from single goal scorers.

At Eltham College, there was joy for the first time this year for Eltham Collegians as they defeated Richmond Central by 35 points in the matchup of the winless sides. Both sides put the poor conditions aside in the first quarter as the sides combined for nine goals and the Turtles would start on top with a six-point quarter time lead. Eltham Collegians would extend their lead to 16 points in the second quarter on the back of four goals to the Snakes two. It was in the third quarter were the Turtles would put the game out of reach with five goals to two to have a 41-point lead. The Snakes would win the final quarter but only reduced the margin to 35 points at the final siren. Tim Woods was best on ground for Eltham Collegians, adding three goals to help their dominant forward Ben Gill who added another four goals. Ricky Ison battled hard up forward for the Snakes with four goals.

St Johns remain unbeaten after nine rounds as they handled their closest West Brunswick by 20 points at Thomas Carroll Reserve. The JOC’s flew out of the gates and as the held the Magpies goalless as they added four of their own to lead by 25 points at the first break. This would wake up the West Brunswick as they held St Johns OC to one goal and added three of their own to reduce the lead to 18 points at half time. West Brunswick continued to not follow the Division 2 script that no one can challenge St Johns OC as another two goal to one quarter bought the margin down to 10 points with a quarter to go. But the JOC’s class come to top in the final quarter as three goals were enough as the Magpies momentum faded back into a one goal last quarter. Anthony Brannan was the best of the JOC’s as he was also the major goal kicker with three. Ben Kline also added three goals for West Brunswick, with Evan Lloyd their best.

In the final game of the round, Preston Bullants remain in touch with the top two as they inflicted another loss on Emmaus St Leos by 28 points at W.R. Ruthven Reserve. The Animals would start the faster of the two sides, holding the Bullants to two behind kicking three goals straight themselves to lead by 16 points at quarter time. Emmaus St Leos would again lead at half time but only by two points as they were held to 1.2 and gave up 3.6 to the Bullants. The momentum of Preston would continue in the third as they piled on six goals to two lead by 20 points. Emmaus St Leos were still in the game in the last but could not reduce the margin as another three goals to two in the Bullants favour gave them the 28-point victory. Chris Polidoras was the Bullants best, with Damon Marcon the major goal kicker with four. Paul Barranello battled hard for the Animals, with Daniel Hill pushing out his tally for the last three games to 10 with another three goals.

Division Two join the rest of the VAFA with this weekend of but will return with round 10 on June 18th. MHSOB will return from the bye to face the sliding Emmaus St Leos at Bennettswood Sports Ground. West Brunswick returns home to Ransford Oval to face the Eltham Collegians who are fresh off their first victory. At Ted Ajani Reserve, we see the second matchup of the Bullants for the season as Bulleen/Templestowe would host the Preston. St Johns OC will stay at Thomas Carroll Reserve after the week off as they host the Bushrangers of Yarra Valley OB. This means that the bottom of the table Richmond Central will have two weeks off to regroup.

Tips 

Emmaus St Leos vs MHSOB

West Brunswick vs Eltham Collegians

Bulleen/Templestowe vs Preston Bullants

St Johns OC vs Yarra Valley OB

Richmond Central has the BYE