Friars take charge, Bullants, JOCs inseparable

Anna Pavlou – Annalyst_Sports

ANZAC Day was commemorated fittingly across all of Division 2 in Round 3, with numerous Remembrance Ceremonies uniting all clubs and bringing a bigger picture into the football world. However, it was a different battle on the footy field, with some hard-fought wins, some teams highlighting that they are finals materials and the first draw in Division 2 for 2018, proving that the competition may be closer than we think. Here’s how round 3 went down.

Emmaus St Leos vs UHS-VU

Consistency from Brandon Jackson (5 goals) and UHS-VU side made it three in a row defeating St Leos by 56 points. The Vultures used the big ground to their advantage and kicked a massive 21 goals to the Animals 11 and only missed six times throughout the day. A tight first quarter ensued, with both sides scoring three goals, but UHS knew how to kick away and made it hard for the Animals to attempt a comeback after halftime. While the Animals kicked fairly all day, their defence failed to hold off a variety of Vultures goal kickers, including BOG Joseph Turner with 5 goals and Vulture veteran Mitch Sweeney with 4 goals. The Animals had Tom Birkett who had two to his name. Paul Baranello was busy with the assistance of Daniel Hill and Max Catchpool (4) in front of goal.

Eltham Collegians vs MHSOB

As predicted, MHSOB bounced back from their round 2 woes and took the four points against Eltham away from home, by 70 points. Eltham kept close in the first half, trailing by only 2 goals at quarter time. The Unicorns, however, showed their class and by halftime were out to a six-goal lead, thanks to the handy work from Hugh Radcliffe-Smith (3). Eltham only managed to score two goals after half-time and were deflated on field, struggling to stop the onslaught of ten more goals from Melbourne High, led by Kane Smith (6). MHSOB looked to Jye Sandiford and Mitch Wilson who were also prominent. For the opposition, Eltham, Brandon Henness and Fraser Cloney were busy, with Troy Jinnette kicking one.

Old Paradians vs Yarra Old Grammarians

A shoot out was on for the Raiders and the Bushrangers, where 34 goals were shared at Garvey Oval. Yarra were close all day, but the Raiders managed to keep them at bay, coming out 15 point winners. Both teams matched up well in this high scoring encounter, as the game opened up in the second half, with 21 goals kicked. Michael Boundy again was a stand-out for Old Paradians kicking 5 goals, along with Darcy Cotter and both Ryan and Warren Jeffery. For the Bushrangers, Cody and Bailey Johnson were named BOG and Rory Harbeck kicked 6 of the team’s 16 goals. Yarra’s spirited fightback was gallant but the Raiders highlighted why they’re a steady force to be reckoned with in 2018.

Bulleen Templestowe vs St Johns

The first draw of 2018 proves that the competition is as even as can be, with St John’s and Bulleen Templestowe the ones in the spotlight. Bulleen settled in for the first quarter, leading 28 to 7. The Bullants kicked 2 goals in the second, leading by 17 points at half time. The second half saw a turn of events with St Johns out to play, led by Aaron Thornton who kicked 4, only trailing by one point at three quarter time. The game was wide open going into the last quarter. Both sides kicked four goals in the final term and ending the scores at 93-a-piece, after a hard-fought contest, without a winner. Anthony Lucisano was BOG for the Bullants with three goals to his name, with able support across the ground from Rob Edsall and Leith Wallis, who continues his consistent 2018 form. For the Jocs, who now sit in 5th position, Glenn Costas was a stand out again supported by Jesse Henderson.

Whitefriars vs Power House

Star Lewis Neate kicked six and led Whitefriars to their third straight win over a deflated Power House side, by 98 points at the College Oval. Friars got away early in the first, kicking four quick goals, but Power House fought back and went into the second down by only a goal. It was a tighter start to the second quarter but the Friars boys kept their noses in front, extending their lead to four goals at halftime. A massive second half (15 team goals) from a variety of Friars players, including trusted goal kicker Michael Nitas (2) and Bryan Dihn in the backline ensured the Friars made their mark. The House had a surge early in the third kicking a handful of goals, but the class and cleanliness of Whitefriars prevailed as they steadied their ship and took the four points. The House looked to their small players across the ground, with River Carroll kicking 3, Benny Circosta (2) and Brent Ritchie (2) grinding hard in the midfield. Power House ran out of legs in the end, not strong enough for a fully fit Friars side.