Tigers pounce, X-Men first class in Div 4

Connor Hoetzel

In Round 3, South Mornington overcame a 24-point deficit at 3QT to run out winners over South Melbourne Districts by seven points to claim their first win of the season. Led by three goals apiece from Jordan Waite and Ben Hallas, and a feature in the best for Aaron Davidson, the Tigers were down at every break but clawed their way to victory, roaring home with a six-goal final quarter. Jordan Heis was influential for the Swans with three goals, while Jason Clifford continued his own rich vein of form, being the best player for the visitors. South Mornington travel to Elsternwick this weekend, while South Melbourne Districts will host Albert Park as they aim to return to the winners list.

At Elgar Park, it was Masala Dandenong who came on top by a whopping 82 points to remain undefeated, leaving Box Hill North searching for their first win of the season. Anthony Morabito was best on ground for the Tigers, kicking two goals to go with those honours, while teammate Benjamin Abraham handsomely contributed as well, collecting five majors. For Box Hill North, it was Jake Lacriarde who fought hard all day to claim the man of the match honours. In Round 4, Masala Dandenong has Eley Park to contend with as they look to continue their unbeaten run, while Box Hill North will have the week off to recuperate and look for their first win for the season.

An eight-goal third quarter set up what ended up a comfortable win for St Francis Xavier over Elsternwick in Round 3. Though the Wicks led at half time by eight points, the X-Men dominated from that point to claim the four-points, concluding with a 31-point win as the final siren sounded. Another four goals from Harrison Coe lifted his season tally to 15, while Rohan Suttie was the X-Man of the Match. Richard Main was the main man for the Wicks, and Justin Hunter snagged four for the visitors. Elsternwick play at home against South Mornington this weekend, while St Francis Xavier are heading to La Trobe to play under the lights with some nighttime footy.

And last, but most certainly not least, a thrilling one point battle was played out between Albert Park and Eley Park at Whitehorse Reserve. It was six goals from Marcus Baxter’s boot that proved enough to will Eley Park Sharks over the line when Albert Park visited, while Jack Craig was also influential hence his naming as the afternoon’s BOG. On the other side, Joshua Beets (5) kept the Falcons right in the contest, while club president Tyson Cattle was the best player. Up next, its Masala Dandenong for Eley Park, while Albert Park head to South Melbourne Districts.

PREVIEW

Round 4 has the chance to be one full of absolutely ripping contests all over, and could be nail-biting in every game.

First up, Eley Park will look to bring the heat to Masala next week in a top of the table clash between the two remaining undefeated teams of the division. This one could go down to the wire and has the makings of an instant classic.

It’ll be a battle of the birds as South Melbourne take on Albert Park, with both teams searching for win number two of the season. The Falcons will be coming out strong after a devastating loss, a feeling which will be mirrored by the Swans team given their own close loss. Nether team will want to back down in this one.

The next matchup is a battle of the sashes, with Elsternwick hosting South Mornington, in another pair of teams looking for a second win. Elsternwick will be hoping to fly back into the winners list against the upbeat Tigers.

And finally under the Saturday night lights, La Trobe University return after their week off with a game against St Francis Xavier, in a 3^rd v 4^th early season matchup. Look for St Francis to keep the momentum going and win this game.