Gryphons get building as Friars stand alone

Anna Pavlou

What a round it was, full of upsets, convincing wins and hard-fought team efforts willing sides over the line. Power House have their first win for the 2019 season, while Whitefriars remain the only undefeated team in Division 2. Glen Eira have defeated Ivanhoe and Hawthorn are the only side without any points to their name. The competition is heating up, with teams hungrier than ever to get an early start to be in the running come the finals.

Bulleen Templestowe vs Brunswick

Premiership fancies Brunswick travelled out to Ted Ajani Oval to take on a charged-up Bulleen who were fresh from their last gasp victory last week. It ended up a reality check for the Bullants who were comprehensively beaten by 73 points in a clinical display by the Nobbers. The first quarter set the scene for the day with Brunswick having 12 scoring shots to lead comfortably by 5 goals at the first break. The second term was more of the same as the Nobbers went into the main break with a 57-point lead. The one-sided contest continued in the third term with Brunswick kicking away to a 75 point three quarter time lead. The determined Bullants showed some fight in the last stanza to outscore the Brunswick side but eventually went down by 73 points. For the winners, Chris Ford booted 5 with best afield honours while Jed Carey and Jacob Adkins each kicked 4. For Bulleen Kristian Cherbakof booted 3 while Patrick Moio fought valiantly.

Glen Eira vs Ivanhoe

Ivanhoe travelled to Glen Eira with both sides looking to keep in touch with the top four and it was the Gryphons who came out 42-point winners, making it two on the trot. The Packer Park faithful saw the home team dominate the first quarter holding the Hoers scoreless but poor kicking for goal saw the lead at only 18 points at the first break. The second term was a tight struggle as the evenly matched teams each managed 3 goals but Glen Eira took a 14-point lead into the main break. Both sides regrouped and continued the tight battle in the third term where the Gryphons edged out to a tightly held 26 point ¾ time lead. The Gryphons kicked away in the last quarter to record an eventually comfortable 42-point victory. The Gryphons spread of 12 goal kickers eventually deciding the game.  For Ivanhoe, Vivian Blackmore-Moore and Wesley Mayne kicked 3 each while Sam Tansley, and Daniel Jones showed some form around the ground. For the winners, Julius Waras Carstensen and Matt Harris dominated on the scoreboard while Heath Judd and Will Robertshaw were their best.

Hawthorn vs Power House

The Power has finally been switched on with Power House defeating Hawthorn at Rathmines Oval by 14 points. For their first win of the 2019 season, the House shared a total of 19 goals between nine goal-kickers and played a ruthless game against a strong outfit in Hawthorn. A fiery clash began with the Hawks booting four majors in the first, with the House having a late surge to steal three goals before the first break. A six goal second quarter for the House saw House forward Declan Nannery (7 goals) sell some candy early in the term, but the Hawks came fighting back to break even and boot six goals of their own. The early work from the House in front of goal in the second term was quickly counteracted by the Hawks quick midfield movement and clearance winning, forcing the House to fight hard to hold a 13-point lead at halftime. However, a rejuvenated House took to the field in the third term, starting strongly and piling on another six goals. The Hawks did come charging, adding five more majors, but only showed glimpses of their best at the end of the third. Hawthorn came out in the final quarter and were prominent early, kicking four quick goals to send shivers down the House’s spines. However, Power House’s Ben Circosta settled the troops through the centre, as they went on to record their first win of the year.

These old VAFA rivals had yet another contested battle, with many battered and bruised men exiting the field from both sides, after another intense game on the Division 2 fixture.

Hawthorn’s Darcy Johnston (3) and Coady Travaglia (3) were strong in front of goal, while Max Pretty racked up votes again. For the House, Kane Goodwin patrolled half back with River Carroll strong at the other end (4 goals) and Declan Nannery’s bag awarding him BOG votes.

Yarra Old Grammarians vs Whitefriars

The match of the round saw the Whitefriars boys become the only undefeated Division 2 side for 2019 to date, with Yarra Old Grammarians falling to their first defeat of the year. The Friars, who overcame a gallant Yarra Old Grammarians by 47 points, played a different game style to match the Bushrangers smaller ground and came out victorious in a low scoring battle. Although booting 11 exciting goals, the Friars were wasteful, booting 25 points for the match, in what was a grind for both sides. The Bushrangers got out to an early lead, holding the Friars to only 2 goals in the first quarter, will adding 4 majors to their own tally. However, the switch went on and it was go-time in the second quarter for the Friars, who put on a defensive show, to hold the Bushrangers goalless. The Friars added four majors to take an 18-point lead at the main break. The third quarter was very different for both sides, as there was not one goal scored. However, the Friars and the Bushrangers have themselves to blame for their misses, as the Friars booted 9 points to the Bushrangers 5 points in the third term. The Friars were back on track in the last, kicking five goals to seal victory, with Yarra managing one major to take their total to 44 points.

The defensive work for the Friars must be commended, as they held the Bushrangers goalless in the second and third quarters, and only conceding 1 goals after quarter time, proving that although kicking big bags is vital, the work of defenders to shut-down key forwards can win important games on the way to the finals. Luke Barker still added to his growing goal tally, with 2 majors to his name, while Peter Ferrier was strong for the Bushrangers. Whitefriars again had a fair spread of hard-workers who willed their side over the line in another statement highlighting their premiership contention.