NOBS upset Bullants, Monders secure important Division 1 win

Brunswick NOBSPC went one game clear of St John’s in the relegation zone via a surprising, but emphatic, 61-point victory over Preston Bullants. The NOBS shot out to a 35-point lead at quarter time and refused to allow the fourth-placed Bullants back into the match as they exercised control for the remaining three terms. Chris Horsley was outstanding with five goals in a BOG display for NOBS and Chris Ford chipped in with three. Christian Fontana continued his hot form for the Bullants but there were not enough contributors across the board as they fell to their second loss in the past three rounds to a team outside the four (Ivanhoe in Round 11). The loss means the Bullants give up third spot on the ladder to the Monders.

Ormond halted Oakleigh’s top four charge and, in doing so, climbed back into third spot on the ladder with a 14-point win at Scammell Reserve. Trailing by nine points at half time, the Monders nailed seven goals to three in the second half as Sam Mason and Lachlan Upstill got on top of the opponents. Thomas Buckley top-scored with four goals for the Monders, while Thomas Nolan and Timothy Michael were the best of the Krushers.

St Mary’s Salesian came from 22 points down at the main break and defeated Therry Penola by 20 at Ferndale Park. The Saints were as inaccurate as it comes in the first two quarters, kicking 1.11 to 6.3. They straightened up after the half with 12.9 and were led by Mitchell Bulte’s three majors. Luke Dykes was best afield for the Saints who, despite the win, fall behind PEGS and back into second spot on the ladder. Corey Bannister starred in front of goal for the Lions with four and Jarrod Egglestone was their best player for the second week in a row. The Lions sit seventh on the ladder, one game and nearly 13% clear of St John’s in ninth.

St John’s secured their third win for the season, defeating Whitefriars by 45 points in a clash of ninth vs 10^th on the Division 1 ladder. The JOCs trailed by six points at the first break but kept the Friars goalless for the remainder of the match while piling on another eight of their own.  Glenn Costas starred and was named BOG, and his good mate Aaron Thornton cleaned up with four of his side’s 11 goals. Daniel Kaldor fought valiantly for the Friars as they now fall two games behind the JOCs in 10^th spot.

After giving up top position on the ladder last week following their loss to Oakleigh, PEGS hit back hard with a 59-point win over Ivanhoe at PEGS Sporting Fields. The Bombers trailed by 26 points at the first break but kicked 14 goals to one for the remainder of the game. Robert Baddeley kicked two goals in a BOG performance for the Bombers, while 2016 Mark of the Year winner Tylar Vujanic nailed three. Bill Jackson impressed for the Hoers as they remain in sixth spot. The win allows PEGS to retake top spot as they hold a slightly better percentage than the Saints.