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Lachlan Chapman
After a fixture restructure, Division 3 is left with eight teams and a 14-game fixture in 2019. Emmaus St Leo’s have made the drop from Division 2, while North Brunswick and Parkside make the jump from Division 4 after strong 2018 campaigns. The existing Division 3 sides are a very even group based on last years results so it shapes to be a fascinating and relatively even season. Here’s a look at the teams squaring up for Premiership glory…
Aquinas OC
2018 Record (Division 3) 10 Wins/ 9 Losses/121.53% 4th
Aquinas has made a habit of winning premierships recently with Division 4 success in 2017 followed by an U19’s flag last year. This would give the bloods a great platform to build from in 2019 after an early finals exit last year. Senior coach Ash Naulty would be excited by a strong number of recruits coming in. One of the main contenders.
Canterbury
2018 Record (Division 3) 9 Wins/9 Losses/118.06% 7th
Although on face value season 2018 may have been disappointing, it was a much better record than their ladder position suggested as they were only a game out of the Top 4. There are whispers going around they have recruited very astutely in the off-season, giving themselves the best possible chance to return to finals action. They’ll be looking for big seasons from B&F winner Sam Murphy and Leading Goalkicker Martin Astbury.
Emmaus St Leo’s
2018 Record (Division 2) 4 Wins/14 Losses/64.41% 9th
It was a disappointing Division 2 campaign for Emmaus St Leo’s in 2018 after losing the relegation battle to St Johns in the final round. The Animals will be looking to regroup this season under new coach Ian Ledder after three seasons in the higher division. Emmaus have recruited plenty of exciting young talent through their affiliation with Deakin University in recent seasons, led by club veterans Paul Baranello and Chris Beluszar.
Manningham Cobras
2018 Record (Division 3) 10 Wins/8 Losses/ 114.53% 5th
Such was the nature of the 2018 competition, the Cobras were one of two teams to miss out on finals by just percentage. The boys from Manningham will take plenty of confidence from their 56 point win over eventual Grand Finalists, Hawthorn, in Round 15 last season and will only have to improve a little to be right in the frame for a Top 4 finish.
North Brunswick
2018 Record (Division 4) 18 Wins/2 Losses/ 208.37% Premiers
It was a drought breaking premiership for North Brunswick in Division 4 with their first flag since 1981 and re-entry into Division 3 after an 18-year absence. Winning is a good habit to get into, and the Bulls rampaged in 2018 with their 18-2 record in Seniors and 19-1 in the Reserves. They shouldn’t have any issues jumping up to the higher grade, with he quick double jump from lower divisions is an achievable feat in recent seasons (Kew, West Brunswick etc.).
Parkside
2018 Record (Division 4) 15 Wins/6 Losses/ 193.30% Runners Up
In 2018, the devils had a great run of wins before falling just short of North Brunswick in both Senior and Reserves Grand Finals in what will no doubt be a great rivalry renewed in Division 3 this year. There were some outstanding individual performances last year with 3 players (Marco Creek, Adam Wells & Ian Romano) all finishing in the top 5 of the league so they clearly have the top end talent to compete in this grade. Club legend Robbie Wise will take the helm as Senior Coach this season.
Richmond Central
2018 Record (Division 3) 7 Wins/11 Losses/ 90.86% 8th
Despite finishing 8th in 2018, the Snakes still finished six games above relegation and were only three games out of the Top 4 in Division 3. Spearhead Jake Munro is a huge loss for the club, but they are looking reasonably healthy with plenty of clearances coming in and the introduction of their women’s side this season.
Westbourne Grammarians
2018 Record (Division 3) 13 Wins/7 Losses/137.82 % 3rd
The road trip out to Truganina is arguably one of the best in the VAFA and the Warriors will be looking to make the Westbourne school ground a fortress. They should be strongly fancied given they are the highest rated team from last year to remain in the division, not to mention their dangerous forward line with Dale Collins, Benjamin Johnson and Eqbal combining for over 100 goals in 2018. Should once again be a strong contender for finals action.
If you love the touch and smell of a brand new footy as much as we do, sign up for Sherrin’s first-ever ‘Win a Year’s Supply of Footballs for your
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