4th spot available in Division 2

Jarryd McGuane – @JMcGuane

After 11 rounds, there is now a clear separation at the top end of the ladder, with the top three, Prahran Assumption, West Brunswick and Yarra Old Grammarians, all looking secure for a spot in the finals. The battle for fourth spot, however, is still very much open with fourth to seventh place on the ladder, MHSOB, Glen Eira, Eltham Collegians, and Old Paradians, all level on points, only separated by percentage. Heading into the final seven rounds, it’s still anyone’s guess as to who will put their hands up come the pointy the end of the season and who may trail off; one thing’s for sure, it should make for exciting football in Division 2!

In Round 11, West Brunswick did just enough to hold off an improving Eltham Collegians by 14 points at Eltham College. The Westies opened up an eight-point lead at quarter time, kicking three goals to two in the first. The margin would only be extended by one point by halftime as the Turtles matched it with the Magpies throughout the second. The Turtles made sure the game would be hanging in the balance at three quarter time, as they reduced West Brunswick’s lead down to just two points with one quarter to play. Despite inaccurate finishing in the last quarter, West Brunswick’s 2.6 held Eltham Collegians at bay to secure their fourth win on the trot. Evan Lloyd continues to impress for West Brunswick finishing as their best of ground, with Samuel Devlin and Sam Fleming kicking two goals each. Fraser Cloney was back leading the way for the Turtles forward line with four goals, and Andrew Hargrave was their best.

For the third straight round, the side in fourth place on the ladder has lost, this time MHSOB fell to Old Paradians by 36 points at Garvey Oval. The Raiders took an early lead and would be five points up at quarter time. Both sides would add two goals apiece in the second with an extra point for Old Paradians extending the margin to six points at the long break. It would be all the Raiders after the half time break as they put on eight goals to Unicorns three. The lead was pushed out to 24 points at three quarter time before the margin would be 36 points at the final siren. Michael Boundy was best on the ground for the Raiders, with four goals for Danny Nolan doing most of the damage. Kane Smith was the Unicorns’ only multiple goal kicker with two and Tim Campelj was again their best.

Hawthorn remains winless after a strong first quarter for Glen Eira led them to a 48-point victory at Rathmines Rd Reserve. The Hawks were up against it from the first quarter, allowing the Gryphons to slam on eight goals to two and lead by 42 points at quarter time. Hawthorn would have control in the second quarter, but their inaccurate 2.8 to Glen Eira’s 2.0 stopped them reducing the margin to a manageable distance as it sat at 34 points at halftime. Glen Eira would make sure that the game was put beyond doubt in the third with seven goals to four to extend their lead to 54 points. The Hawks would win the final quarter by a goal, but Glen Eira cruised home to their first win in three rounds. Kristian Johnsen led the way for the Gryphons and he added three goals, along with Julius Waras Carstensen and Daniel Entwistle. Nathan Raiti was the Hawks best with four goals from James Murray tried kept them in the game.

Yarra Old Grammarians have all but sealed third place as they defeated a valiant Bulleen Templestowe by 12 points at Ted Ajani Reserve. Neither side would give an inch from the opening term with four goals each; it was three extra behinds that gave Yarra Old Grammarians a three point lead. The Bushrangers would extend their lead to 12 points with a further four goals to the Bullants two goals. After half time, Bulleen Templestowe would take advantage of Yarra Old Grammarians severe inaccuracy, with their 3.0 to 0.9 reducing the margin back to within three points. Both sides had attacking success in the last quarter, with the Bushrangers winning the quarter by two goals, kicking five goals to three. Dean Letson was best on the ground for Yarra Old Grammarians, with Sam Savage kicking five goals to be the leading goal kicker on the ground. Brodie Mclaughlin continues to be Bulleen Templestowe’s best with another strong performance, as Kristian Cherbakof added another four goals for the season.

Top-of-the-table Prahran Assumption made light work of Emmaus St Leos with a 99-point win at Toorak Park. The Two Blues would hold the Animals to one goal in the first half as they added six of their own to lead by 34 points at the main break. Emmaus St Leos had their most successful quarter on the scoreboard in the third, but their four goals were trumped by Prahran Assumption’s seven as the game was all but over at three quarter time, the Two Blues holding a 53-point lead. Another eight goals were slammed on by the Two Blues in the last as they blew the game away and secured their comfortable victory. Gerard Hogarth was best on ground for Prahran Assumption and was also the leading goal kicker on the field with five goals. Jesse Gannon was the Animals’ best for the second straight week.

Round 12 of Division 2 opens up with Emmaus St Leos hosting the fast improving Old Paradians at Bennettswood Sports Ground. Doncaster Reserve plays host an enticing matchup with third-placed Yarra Old Grammarians taking on Eltham Collegians, who are outside the top four by percentage. MHSOB will be hoping to get back on the winners list as second placed West Brunswick comes to Melbourne High School. Glen Eira has their turn to take on Prahran Assumption hoping to inflict the Two Blues’ with their second loss for the season at Packer Reserve. The round closes with a bottom of the table clash between Hawthorn and Bulleen Templestowe at Rathmines Rd Reserve. Hawthorn will be approaching this game with plenty of hope, and possibly even some confidence, as they continue the search for their first win of 2017.