Pirates hijacked by Raiders as Bears roll home

Back to back top of the table clashes awaits UHS-VU as they travel to take on Oakleigh in the match of the round for Division 1. The Vultures have taken all before them in the opening month of the 2019 season, and after accounting for St Mary’s Salesian at home, they now face the Krushers with a 4-0 start within reach. Thomas Walters has slotted 11 majors in the first three rounds for UHS-VU, who are looking threatening with 92 points-per-game average. Oakleigh did what was required against Prahran Assumption on their home deck in Round 3, and have every reason to go in feeling like favourites. Their on-ball brigade gave silver service to the Krushers forward line, who have looked to have fixed their early season inaccuracy after kicking 12.8 at Toorak Park last week. A mouth-watering clash awaits, Oakleigh by 10 points.

Old Paradians got their first points for the season in an epic against Peninsula in Round 3 and have every reason to feel confident to get their season up and running against West Brunswick this weekend at home. The Westies were up to their eye-balls at 3QT in their Round 3 encounter with Kew, before conceding 5.4 in the final term to go down by 22 points. Both clubs sit at a 1-2 win/loss ratio, and will be eager to square the ledger to keep in touch with those currently occupying the top four. Amazing what a win can do, but with the form Cameron Perkins is in for West Brunswick, the black and white by 18 points.

St Mary’s Salesian and Kew meet at Ferndale Park in another intriguing and pivotal game at Ferndale Park which will shape the ladder for the rest of the competition. The Saints started well against UHS-VU in Round 3, before handing over control after quarter time. If they can capture their first quarter performance and continue that for an extended period, they will be very hard to beat, especially at home. The Bears kicked clear in the final quarter and ran all over West Brunswick last weekend, and with a 2-1 record meet St Mary’s very evenly matched both physically and statistically. Another arm wrestle, and if it wasn’t for the 1^st v 2^nd meeting between UHS-VU and Oakleigh, respectively, this would easily be the place to be for your Saturday afternoon. Purely for the home ground advantage, St Mary’s Salesian by nine points.

Peninsula face a red-hot Preston Bullants at the Peninsula School this weekend. The Pirates have had two-nail biters in the first three weeks, and have fell short both times, something they will look to correct if the situation rises again. The Bullants were class against Therry Penola in Round 3, with their ball movement a highlight, and if weren’t for inaccurate goal kicking, the result would have blown out even further from the 65 point victory. Preston were impressive to say the least at Ruthven Reserve, but with a trip to the Peninsula School, the Pirates by six points.

Therry Penola return home searching for their first win of the year against Prahran Assumption. The Lions need to find some form, and quick, as they are staring down the barrel of 0-4 start. Whilst early doors, banking wins early are imperative in having a foundation to enter the middle and climax of the season. The Two Blues have had their chances, but as a wiser person than me said “bad kicking is bad football” and losing games at homes is never an easy pill to swallow. Having played UHS-VU and Oakleigh in the first month, Prahran have a stronger form line and will look to win their second game away from home to the tune of 30 points.