NOBs close gap as Unicorns forge steady path

Anna Pavlou

Without the top-of-the-table Whitefriars in play this week, it was a chance for some other sides to show the rest of the competition what they’re made of. Brunswick again proved that a spread of efforts gets your side over the line, while Power House tested the Bushrangers. The Gryphons are proving that they are a team to beat in 2019, alongside MHSOB.

Let’s see how Round 7 went down…

Glen Eira vs Bulleen Templestowe

The Gryphons are continuing their impressive push in Division 2, with a 22-point win over Bulleen Templestowe.

The Gryphons got off to a flying start, booting five goals to the Bullants three in the first quarter.

But the Bullants showed their class in the second term, booting six goals to one to take a 15-point lead at the main break.

But, after their massive second quarter efforts, holding the Gryphons to only one goal and piling on six majors themselves, the Bullants ran out of steam and couldn’t mirror their hard work after half time. The Gryphons defence then tightened, only leaking 2 goals for the Bullants after the main break.

The midfield work from the Gryphons stopped any run-ons and therefore allowed them to work openly in their forward line to pile on the scoreboard pressure.

11 goal kickers again showed that in this competition, a team effort is harder to stop than a single performance.

For the Gryphons, Vaughn Colyer was impressive with two of his sides goals, with able support from Nathan Dennis (1 goal).

The Bullants saw another three goals from their ever-trusted Kristian Cherbakof, with Harry Vogler receiving BOG votes.

Hawthorn vs Brunswick

Brunswick continue on their merry way in the push for not only a finals spot, but a top position finish, with an 83-point victory over the winless Hawthorn at Rathmines Reserve. The Hawks however took an early lead, booting three goals to the Nobbers two, to take the initial lead and setting the game up to be closer than expected.

However, the Nobbers settled and kicked seven majors, while holding the Hawks to only two in the second term.

The Hawks struggled after halftime, kicking only two more majors, while the Nobbers, led by Jacob Adkins 10 goals, put on a show, with 11 goals to finish off the game.

Aaron Downie had two goals for the Hawks, with Tom Boots receiving the BOG votes.

For the winners, Jacob Adkins, 10 goal performance was rightly awarded the BOG votes.

The Nobbers are sitting comfortably as they head into their bye round and can rest some key players in order to refresh and keep fit for September.

MHSOB vs Ivanhoe

The boys from Melbourne High are on a steady path, as they collected another convincing win over Ivanhoe by 23 points.

Although the Unicorns were inaccurate early, with seven points in the opening quarter, they managed to claw their way back into the game in the second quarter.

The Hoers kept their scores low, kicking only two goals up to half time. Both sides had ample opportunity in front of goal, but were wasteful, which proved costly for the Hoers, as they were dominating early.

After halftime, a new MHSOB side entered the ground, booting five goals and holding the Hoers to only one major before the last term.

It was a low scoring last quarter, with both sides booting 2 goals each, but the third term work from the Unicorns kept them ahead and was the difference in the end.

With a spread of 9 goal kickers, the Unicorns are showing that team efforts are harder to stop than just a stand-out performance from one player.

James Tran, again added a goal to his tally, while Tim Campelj was awarded BOG votes for Melbourne High.

For the Hoers, Max Post was the only multiple goal kicker with three, with Wesley Mayne the best for his side.

Yarra Old Grammarians vs Power House

The Yarra Old Grammarians clan are back on track with a 45-point win over Power House at Doncaster Oval.

Power House came out all guns blazing early, holding Yarra to only three goals at the first break, while booting two of their own. The House allowed the Bushrangers to play their free-flow structure in the second quarter, leaking 6 goals. The Rangers utilised the wings and used their diamond structure around the stoppages, to overcome the Power House surge before half time. However, the boys from St Kilda regrouped and, led by River Carroll’s six gaols, clawed their way into the game with a massive third quarter, booting six goals, trailing by only 5 points at the final break. But their poise through the middle and the quick ball movement saw the Bushrangers boot six unanswered goals in the final term, to put their boys back on the winners list.

Nick Chamberlain had an impressive six goal performance, but the BOG votes fell to James Fleming who kicked three majors for the Bushrangers.

For Power House, River Carroll was voted best, supported by Kane Godwin across the wing.

The House should be proud of their efforts but will need to string together four quarters to remain competitive in Division 2.