Vultures soar into Division 1 for first time in 40 years

Anna Pavlou – @Annalyst_Sports

For the second year in a row, UHS-VU have won the second-semi-final, earning them direct promotion into Division 1 and an all-important shot at a second-successive premiership. In the other semi-final, the Whitefriars have served notice on the remaining teams that they are the real deal. While we say goodbye to a fighting Yarra Old Grammarians, today’s other loser, Old Paradians must lick their wounds, regroup and figure out how to match a free-scoring and hard running Friars outfit in next week’s Preliminary Final.

UHS-VU vs Old Paradians

UHS-VU’s time in Division 2 was short lived, but they wouldn’t have it any other way. They have defeated a gallant Old Paradians side by 16 points and have earned themselves not only a spot in the Division 2 Grand Final, but promotion to Division 1 for the first time since 1978. Out at Coburg City Oval, the Raiders were dominant in the first quarter with six scoring shots to two, but couldn’t capitalise, kicking only one goal.

However, the Raiders made up for their mistakes and kicked two goals straight in the second term, but the Vultures had kicked away adding another three goals to their tally, to lead by 12 points in a low scoring affair. The game opened up in the third term, with goals easier to come by, but the Vultures, with five goals, stretched their lead to 20 points at the final break. Led by David Huntley and the consistent Warren Jeffrey, Paradians lifted in the final quarter, but fell short in the end. On reflection, the Raiders will rue their missed opportunities in the first quarter. UHS-VU held the Raiders to only 65 points, which is significantly lower than their season average of 98 points. The Vultures have proven that they can run out a full four quarters and contain and shut-down even the best and highest scoring teams, as they have done all season.

Gerard Hawkins and Brandon Jackson led the Vultures with three goals each, with the ever-reliable Gerard Sharrock named best-on-ground, ably supported by Tom Howard.

Raider Captain Chris Kandilakis booted two, along with another two from Byron Walton and Ryan Jeffrey. There is still one more week for the Raiders to prove their worth and earn a spot in Division 1, but this time, there’s no second chance, so they must dig deep to find that dominance and true ability that got them here in the first place. The Vultures have a well-deserved week off and let the Raiders and the Friars battle it out to see who they will meet in the Grand Final.

Whitefriars vs Yarra Old Grammarians

The Whitefriars boys have held off a hard-fighting Yarra Old Grammarians by 20 points to take them into a preliminary final appearance against Old Parade next week. The dry conditions and wide spaces of Box Hill Oval suited Whitefriars as their hard-running half backs and midfield created plenty of opportunities for their multi-pronged attack. After a tight first half, the Friars cut loose in the third and booted five-goals-to-nil to set up their match-winning lead. They took a 31-point gap into the final term.

But, as they have done all year, the Rangers finished strongly with five goals, but it wasn’t enough to make up the distance lost in the third quarter deficit.

Whitefriars hard-work to string together four competitive quarters has earned them the right to challenge for promotion in next week’s preliminary final.

For the Friars, it was the usual spread of goal kickers, headed by Lewis Neate and Hewitt Murray, with three each, while champion Michael Nitas chipped in with another two. Kristan Height was named BOG, kicking one and dominating through the midfield.

For Yarra, who improved on their 2017 season, where they missed the finals by only one game, are to be congratulated on their efforts in 2018. The Bushrangers improvement from last year was evident, as they averaged five goals a game more this season, due to the twin targets of Rory Harbeck and Michael Scott. Rory Harbeck led all scorers of the game, booting four, while David Wildsmith and Dan Chamberlain had two each.

In the Reserves, Whitefriars have won through to the Division 2 Reserve Grand Final with a 34-point win over UHS-VU. While there was only two points in it at three-quarter time, the Friars kicked the last eight goals of the game (five in the last quarter), while keeping the Vultures scoreless in the last, to secure their Grand Final berth. Corey Dineen kicked three for the Friars, while Clayton Lunn booted four for Uni.

In the other semi-final, MHSOB defeated Old Parade by 25 points and have booked a spot in next week’s Preliminary Final, while the Raiders wave goodbye to season 2018.

Melbourne High led all day, but kicked five goals late in the game to secure victory. John Moran and Mason Fennessy-Kent each kicked three for the Unicorns, with Sam Hayes voted BOG.