Top four remains undecided in Division 2

By Jarryd McGuane – @JMcGuane

It was a week of blowouts in Division 2 with no game settled by less than seven goals, leaving the last two rounds to decide the top four.

Eltham Collegians put in their most complete performance for the season as they defeated Richmond Central by 128 points at Kevin Bartlett Reserve. The Turtles blew the Snakes out of the water in the first quarter, as they piled on 11 goals to one to lead by 62 points at quarter time. The demoralised Richmond Central side would go on to be held to two behinds in the second quarter, allowing another four goals to see the margin balloon to 89 points. The Snakes added a second goal for a match in the third quarter, but again allowed four goals to see the deficit hit 109 points. With the game beyond doubt the Turtles allowed Richmond Central to have their first multiple goal quarter but still would extend their lead in the last. Ben Gill continued his amazing season for the Turtles with seven goal, while Jesse Howell kept up his brilliant form. Joshua Sharp battled hard for the Snakes, as they had no multiple goal kickers.

West Brunswick have continued to tighten their grip on second place as they defeated Emmaus St Leos by 136 points at Ransford Oval. Emmaus St Leos slump in form continued right from the first bounce as they were held scoreless for the first quarter conceding seven to see them trailing by 45 points. The Magpies lead would increase to 55 points in the second quarter despite allowing the Animals on the scoreboard with three goals and three behinds. Another four goals to West Brunswick to Emmaus St Leos’ three saw the game being put out of the Animals reach with a 61-point margin. With the game out of reach, West Brunswick blew out the Animals with 13 final quarter goals for a massive percentage boost. Bill Irving and Zac Tisdale kicked eight and six goals respectively for the Magpies, with Evan Lloyd having his third consecutive best on ground performance. Jonathan O’Connor was gallant in defeat for the Animals, with Nathan Baranello kicking three goals.

At Thomas Carroll Reserve, St Johns OC have secured a top two finish with an 87-point victory over the dangerous Bulleen/Templestowe. It looked good from the first quarter for the first placed St Johns OC as they kicked five goals to two lead by 19 points. It was extended to 32 points with another four goal to two quarter in the favour of the JOCs, as both sides remained accurate in front of goal. The Bullants chance was gone after the third quarter despite kicking three goals, as they allowed St Johns OC to kick 10 goals and the margin was sitting at 79 points. With the fire out of the game, both sides tightened defensively with St Johns OC taking the quarter three goals to one. Aaron Thornton had his best goal output in a month with four goals, and Rohan Scott was everywhere for the JOCs. Jack Cowell was Bulleen/Templestowe’s best, with Cowell and Michael Pace kicked two goals apiece.

Yarra Valley OB have not secured a top four place just yet as they fell to the third placed Preston Bullants by 42 points at W.R. Ruthven Reserve. In a back and forth first quarter, Preston took the upper hand as they put on five goals to three to lead by 14 points. As the second quarter opened up it looked as if the pressure of possibly locking up a finals place was weighing on Yarra Valley OB. They were held to a single goal for the quarter and gave up six to see themselves trailing by 46 points at half time. The tide didn’t change as the Bullants had eight scoring shots to three, but only won the quarter two goals to one to have a safe 56-point lead at the final change. The Bushrangers finally awoke in the last with eight goals, but defensively gave up five goals at their winning streak came to an end. Daniel Wakim was influential all day for the Bullants, with Damon Marcon leading the way up forward with four goals. Damien Pagan kept up his good form going being best on the ground for the Bushrangers, with Chris Hodgens kicking four goals for the second straight week.

The second last round of the season there are multiple games that will affect the final makeup of the top four. The first match sees third placed Preston Bullants travel to Bennettswood to face Emmaus St Leos, with a win for the Bullants keeping their hope of finishing second alive. The second is a top of the table clash between the second placed West Brunswick and the first placed St Johns OC at Ransford Oval, with a St Johns victory securing the minor premiership but a loss could see West Brunswick on top. The last match with finals ramifications is between Yarra Valley OB and MHSOB at Doncaster Reserve. A Yarra Valley OB victory would secure fourth place, but a victory for the Unicorns and only six percent separating the two sides would see the fourth place go down to the wire. The final match of the week sees the winless Richmond Central face Bulleen/Templestowe at Kevin Bartlett Reserve. Eltham Collegians head to the bye following their amazing run of the form.

Tips

Emmaus St Leos vs Preston Bullants

Yarra Valley OB vs MHSOB

Richmond Central vs Bulleen/Templestowe

West Brunswick vs St Johns OC

Eltham Collegians have the Bye