Cobras upset Vultures as R18 approaches

Canterbury remain hopeful of gaining of finals spot with a sensational one point victory over premiership favourites UHS-VU. Many people would have though that stumbling against second placed Power House two weeks ago might have been small error against quality opposition but it may be a matter of the Vultures peaking too early and running out of steam. Canterbury found themselves with a five point buffer at quarter time but UHS fought themselves back to lead by one point at the main break. Andrew Hummerston continued his rich vien of form with five goals and a best on ground performance whilst Thomas Lowden was also impressive around the ground. Canterbury could have rolled over like a weaker side may have done but the Cobras were dogged and recorded a remarkable one point victory over the ladder leaders. Mitchell Sweeney was lively in front of goal and bought his tally for year to 55 with a bag of five for the day while Esubalew Ramsay worked hard all day in a tough day for the Vultures.

Richmond Central recorded an emphatic victory over bottom placed South Melbourne at the Kevin Bartlett Reserve. The Snakes dominated the game start to finish and with only one game remaining in the season it looks as if the Bloods may go through 2017 with a 0-18 record. The Snakes led by 21 points at quarter time and the Bloods offered little resistance for the rest of the day as Richmond Central romped to a 93 point victory. They had 10 individual goal kickers of who Steven Bugeja (5 goals) and Andrew Fraser (3) were the main destroyers in front of goal while Patrick Vallance was named best on ground. For South Melbourne, Hamish Robinsion was their only multiple goal kicker with two goals while Peter Davidson was their most impressive player.

La Trobe guaranteed their place in Division Three next season with a 76 point victory over Point Cook and because of other results going in their favour Point Cook have their place guaranteed despite the loss to La Trobe. It was always going to be difficult for Point Cook when they conceded 13 scoring shots and trailed by 39 points at the quarter time break but rallied in the second quarter to trail by 32 points at the main break. Robbie Milne and Nathan Volk were the most impressive for the Bulldogs as they led the resistance while Benjamin Cox was the only multiple goal kicker with two goals for the afternoon. La Trobe kicked away in the third and fourth quarters to win by the eventual margin of 76 points. For the Trobers, Mitchell Gleeson was his side’s best player with a bag of six goals while Daniel Hacker was also impressive with four goals of his own.

Relegation was confirmed for Albert Park with a gut wrenching nine point loss to Swinburne University as Swinburne confirmed their finals spot. With every to play for Albert Park matched it all day with the in form Razorbacks and at half time and three quarter time only a point could separate the sides. For Albert Park, Tyson Cattle was prolific kicking three majors and gaining best on ground honours in the process while Davide Concilia was also impressive through the midfield. It was the quality of the premiership contenders that proved to be the deciding factor in the last quarter as Swinburne overran the Falcons. Ben Higgins was the game winner booting seven goals while Thomas Birchmore was his sides best player. A top of the table clash beckons next week as Powerhouse host Swinburne in a pre-finals showdown.

Westbourne Grammarians will go into the final game of the season needing a win to secure a top four spot having been unable to win against premiership contenders Power House. The two sides will most likely both play finals. The House put distance between themselves and Westbourne at half time leading by 23 points with Nicholas Nagel on his way to booting nine majors in a dominant performance. Westbourne wrestled back the momentum to trail by ten points at the final change of ends. Nick Schiano and Brayden Johnson were dangerous in front of goal snagging three majors apiece to threaten to knock off The House. Westbourne ran out of legs against a superior opponent and unfortunately they play UHS next week and Canterbury host Richmond Central who they will be confident in beating so they fate of their finals appearance might be out of their hands.