Rovers take top spot, Bears, Two Blues claim first wins

Kew registered their first victory of 2018 as they defeated Brunswick NOBS by 69 points at Victoria Park. Leading by 24 at three quarter time, the Bears piled on nine goals to two in a dominant fourth term. Six players kicked multiples for the Bears with Mark Brazzale leading the charge with three. Darcy Spencer continued his impressive individual form with a BOG display while Tyson Wiegold and Brin Duggan found plenty of it. The win elevated the Bears to seventh spot on the ladder, while the NOBS are ninth. No results had been submitted for Brunswick at time of publication.

Ormond’s unbeaten start to the season continued as they defeated West Brunswick by 22 points at EE Gunn Reserve. Both sides entered the game without a loss but it was the Monders’ second term, where they kicked 3.6 to the Westies’ 1.3, that proved the difference. Luke Gogis led the charge for the Monders with three goals while Jeremy Simon and Blair Atkins continued their outstanding form and were named in the best for the third consecutive game. Bill Irving top-sored for the Westies with three goals and Stephen Borovac was fantastic as their top-ranked player.

Hampton Rovers showed absolutely no mercy in their Round 3 clash against Ivanhoe as they ran out 145-point winners at Ivanhoe Park. 16 goals to one in the first half set the scene for the massacre before the Rovers piled on another 11 goals to four in the final two terms. 12 players shared the goal kicking spoils for the Rovers, with Josh McPherson bagging five and taking his season tally to 13. Josh Pavlou was one of 10 to miss out on a goal but his performance earnt him best on ground honours alongside a standout display from Adam Schaeche. Seamus Hoffman fought valiantly for the Magpies but they were no match as they slumped to a percentage of 32.04% at the bottom of the Division 1 ladder.

Prahran Assumption’s season officially kick-started as they recorded their first win via a 38-point victory over Oakleigh at Scammell Reserve. The Two Blues trailed by two points at quarter time but kicked 12 goals to six in the ensuing three terms. Tom freeman starred in a BOG display, while Jack Matherson top-scored with four of the Two Blues’ 13 goals. Aaron Cloke snagged three goals for the Krushers and took his 2018 tally to 17 from three games, and Gary Bennett stood up as their best player. The Two Blues sit in eighth spot on the ladder and just two spots below the Krushers.

Preston Bullants claimed the win of the round when they shocked the previously undefeated Therry Penola by 44 points at Ruthven Reserve. Trailing by four points at half time, the Bullants took a 16-point lead into the last break via seven goals to four in the third term and continued to apply the scoreboard pressure with a further five goals to one in the fourth. Patrick Vanin is on fire and showcased his elite talent as BOG for the Bullants for the second time in three games, while Jackson Curic bagged four majors. Robert Carr stood tall for the Lions as they give up top spot and now sit fourth on the ladder. The Bullants climb to third following the win.