Four to the floor, we’re unsure

While Aristotle is not usually quoted in the social rooms of VAFA clubs at 5pm on a Saturday evening when reviewing the afternoons events, the timeless adage “the more you know, the more you know you don’t know” has never been more apt in trying to predict and make sense of Division 3 in 2018.

After dubbing Westbourne the “Truganina Train”, the Grammarians were derailed by an Aquinas side that made the most of their opportunities. The Gryphons established their standing as the side to beat as they bounced back in a classic contest against the Hawks. Swinburne may rue inaccurate kicking at season’s end in their big win against La Trobe. Manningham did as most expected in acquiring the four points against Albert Park and Canterbury got the chocolates against Richmond in the battle of the snakes.

Four games until the end of the season, four sides on eight wins, and now is the time for clubs to bring their best, well you guessed it, to the fore.

GLEN EIRA (13-1)

Run Home; La Trobe University, Richmond Central, Albert Park, Canterbury.

The Gryphons defence has been rock-solid to date, have only conceded over 100 points twice this season. Both of those occasions have come in the last two consecutive games, and with the run home containing no sides currently in the four, Glen Eira will use this time to get back to the defensive structures that have only conceded 67 points a game.

HAWTHORN (11-3)

Run Home; Manningham Cobras, La Trobe University, Westbourne Grammarians, Swinburne University.

One win in the last four will lock in the double chance, which Hawthorn will collect given their class, and they will want to lock away their best mix coming into the business end of the year. Hawthorn’s spread of goal kickers has meant their attacking prowess is better than anyone’s in the competition, averaging 120 points a game. A little tightening of the defensive screws and Rathmines Reserve will be an exciting place to be at the end of the next month.

WESTBOURNE GRAMMARIANS (8-6)

Run Home; Canterbury, Manningham Cobras, Hawthorn, Albert Park.

After calling the Warriors finals bound last week, Westbourne missed opportunities, kicked inaccurately and found themselves 19 points in arrears to Aquinas at the final siren. Whilst it is not the end of the world in terms of their season, it brings them back to the pack and eradicates the outstanding effort to knock off the Gryphons the week before.

MANNINGHAM COBRAS (8-6)

Run Home; Hawthorn, Westbourne Grammarians, Richmond Central, Aquinas.

Manningham will certainly be more than deserving if they are to make the four. Coming up against 2^nd and 3^rd in consecutive weeks, even splitting these contests may be enough if they are to win their final two contests. First thing’s first, the challenge that is Hawthorn, especially off a loss, is one that the Cobras need to be at their best.

CANTERBURY (8-6)

Run Home; Westbourne Grammarians, Albert Park, Swinburne University, Glen Eira.

The Cobras won the battle of the Snakes and now have their sights on the journey to Westbourne Grammar to take another scalp. Defensively, the Cobras have been sound over 2018 and will look to continue restricting sides to under 12 goals a game.

SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY (8-6)

Run Home; Albert Park, Aquinas, Canterbury, Hawthorn

Out of all the sides currently on 8-6, the Uni have the “easiest” draw before coming up against Hawthorn in the last round. The Razorbacks may have their finals destiny sewn up coming into this fixture. A big victory at this week will start the journey.

RICHMOND CENTRAL (6-8)

Run Home; Aquinas, Glen Eira, Manningham Cobras, La Trobe University

Finals have come early for the Snakes. It’s as simple as that. Win and the season stays alive for Richmond Central. Lose and the planning for 2019 begins.

AQUINAS (6-8)

Run Home; Richmond Central, Swinburne University, La Trobe University, Manningham Cobras

They couldn’t… could they? Two games out of the four. Three opponents in the last month that sit just above the Bloods in a log jam. One thing that is certain in Division 3 in 2018; nothing is certain. The club is up and about with all four of the Aquinas sides collecting victories last week and enter the first of their mini-finals against Richmond Central at Kevin Bartlett Reserve.

ALBERT PARK AFC (1-13)

Run Home; Swinburne University, Canterbury, Glen Eira, Westbourne Grammarians.

When ranking all ten clubs run home, the Falcons have the toughest month. Fixtures against 6^th, 5^th, 1^st and 3^rd look on paper to compound Albert Park’s tough year, however with a spirited effort against Richmond Central, anything is possible.

LA TROBE UNIVERSITY (1-13)

Run Home; Glen Eira, Hawthorn, Aquinas, Richmond Central

The Trobers have gone through 51 players in their senior side, with only three playing every game. Hopefully the Uni can start assembling the core group over his last month, something they will sourly need in their back to back fixtures against the top two sides.