PEGS, Monders overcome sluggish start, Krushers cool red-hot Bullants

The Louis Holmes/Manny Dolan combination fired for the second consecutive week, kicking 10 goals between them as St Mary’s Salesian ran away with a 74-point victory against Brunswick NOBSPC at Ferndale Park. With the game evenly poised and just two goals in it midway through the second term, the Saints started hitting targets inside 50 and converting their chances. Seven goals to three in the third term put to bed any chance the NOBS may have had of coming from behind. Tim Dudgeon and Cam Butler stood out for the Saints alongside their goal kicking pair, while Christopher Ford snagged four majors as he continued his hot start to the year for the NOBS.

PEGS overcame a sluggish start and bullish Ivanhoe outfit to register a four-point come-from-behind victory at Ivanhoe Park. After falling to Preston Bullants by more than 100 last round, the Hoes were sensational and kicked six goals to two for a half time lead of 21 points. However, the Bombers came out revitalised and piled on eight goals to four in the second half, including a thrilling final term whereby just five goals were kicked between the two sides. Ryan Jones inspired the second half resurgence with a best-on-ground display for the undefeated Bombers.  Adrian Romanyk made it eight goals in the first two rounds with another bag of four, while Hoes captain Mitch Lovell returned with his own haul of four.

Oakleigh held off a rampaging Preston Bullants by just four points as they registered their first win for 2017 at Scammell Reserve. Leading by 18 points at the main break, the Krushers gave up five of the last seven goals to narrowly avoid defeat. Patrick Ioannidis was at his very best again for the Krushers alongside Aaron Cloke (three) and Shane Borland. The Bullants had seven individual goal kickers for each of their majors and George Warton was named their best in his first outing of the year.

Therry Penola hit back hard after their first-round loss to Ormond, defeating Whitefriars by 43 points at Whitefriars College. The Lions had 42 scoring shots (21.21) and, if not for inaccuracy, could have easily surpassed their total of 147. Brock Egglestone (two) was unstoppable for the Lions alongside standout performances from Ben Harding (four) and Jacob Gough. Despite the loss, the Friars outscored the Lions in the second half 12.9 to 11.12 as Michael Nitas (five) and the in-form Angus Hands led the charge.

Ormond overcame a valiant St John’s to record their second win for the year by 31 points at E.E. Gunn Reserve. The Monders trailed by 15 points at the first break after the JOCs had all the running in the opening term. Six goals to two in the second quarter gave the Monders the ascendancy of which they never relinquished, piling on nine goals to six in the second half. Monders forward Jeremy Simon’s outstanding start to the year continued with a haul of five goals accompanying his four from last week. Will Simon was adjudged best afield for the Monders while Tim Edwards (five) and Daniel Cattolico impressed for the ninth-placed JOCs.