Hoes claim first win, Rovers re-claim top spot

After 12 straight losses, Ivanhoe registered their first win of 2018, soundly defeating Brunswick NOBS by 25 points at Ivanhoe Park. 37 scoring shots to 22 proved the Hoes dominance but they were unable to blow their opponents out due to a rather inaccurate 13.24. Conor Mitchell starred in a BOG performance for the Hoes, while Lachlan Roberts (4), Nathan Valkanis (2) and Vivian Blackmore-Moore (2) each kicked multiples. Jed Carey led the charge for the NOBS with four goals of his own. Both sides reside in ninth and 10^th on the ladder and three games behind Kew in eighth.

Hampton Rovers took little time to return to the top of the Division 1 ladder after they defeated West Brunswick by 47 points at Boss James Reserve. The Rovers trailed by a goal at quarter time but ignited in the second, booting eight goals to one and winning the game within that 30 minutes. Samuel Clements top-scored with four goals for the Rovers alongside standout performances from Harrison Crisp and David Broadstock. Cormac Cashin continued his outstanding season for the Westies being named BOG and in the best for the 12^th time from 12 games. West Brunswick sit seventh and two games outside the four.

Prahran Assumption quickly put last round’s loss to Preston behind them as they defeated the ladder-leading Ormond by 22 points at Toorak Park. Leading by just one point at three quarter time, the Two Blues ran out the game with five goals to two in the fourth. Captain and star midfielder, James Musster, was unstoppable in a BOG display for the victors, while Jack Matherson and Brent Chapman booted three each. Tonn Steele led the way for the Monders with three goals, but they now slip back into second spot on the ladder while the Two Blues are just a game outside the four.

Fifth-placed Oakleigh closed the gap on fourth-placed Preston Bullants with a comprehensive 86-point victory at Scammell Reserve. Led by Aaron Cloke’s bag of seven majors, the Krushers booted nine goals to three in the first half and closed the game out with another 10 goals to two in the second. Christopher Mercuri was a standout alongside Cloke for the Krushers as Coen Giali-Brosnan fought valiantly for the Bullants. There is now just 2.10% separating the two sides on the ladder.

Therry Penola climbed into third spot on the ladder with a 39-point victory over Kew at Victoria Park. The Lions opened the game with seven goals to two in the first half and continued to apply scoreboard pressure with a further six to four in Q3 and Q4. Big V B-D4 defender Jake Mennuni was at his most dominant in a BOG display for the Lions, while teammate Darcy Ryan top-scored with four majors. Nathan Sambevski and John Lisle impressed for the eighth-placed Bears.