St Francis Xavier flex, La Trobe jump into the Top 4

Connor Hoetzel

La Trobe University have leapt into fourth spot on the ladder after a massive 105-point win over Box Hill North. With 10 individual goal scorers, including five from Billy Higgins’ boot and four from Ricky Nolan, the Trobers were dominant all day. Samuel Laurence Benetti-Baker was influential as well, picking up two goals and best on ground honours. Box Hill North were led by Benjamin Adams, who was their man of the match, and will take confidence from the fact that they had seven individual goal scorers. La Trobe will host South Mornington after the Queens Bye round, while Box Hill North travel to Elsternwick.

Albert Park, while inaccurate, were 42-point winners over Elsternwick at home in Round 8. Having a day out, the Falcons were well led by Alistair Lupo, who notched three goals and a best on ground performance. Michael Pradoline was on fire for the Wicks, being named their best, while Justin Hunter snagged three, and Julian Yeatman and Kyle Van Der Pluym kicked two apiece. Back for some more Division 4 football after the bye round, Albert Park travel to face a starving Masala team, while Elsternwick are set to host Box Hill North.

Eley Park were outmatched by South Melbourne Districts in Round 8, who have given themselves another boost heading into the halfway point of the season. Three goals from Toby Parish and Aidan Rawlings each helped the Swans to a 36-point victory, while Declan Barlow and Vincenzo Armenia was prolific. Blake Walter was serviceable for the Sharks, booting three majors, and William Whyte was named as the host’s best. Eley Park travel to face ladder leaders St Francis Xavier in Round 9 and South Melbourne rest up with a bye.

St Francis Xavier beat South Mornington to the tune of 95 points in Round 8, headlined by another day out in front of goals for Harrison Coe, who jumped into double digits again with his 11-goal haul. Coe takes his tally for the year to 51. Stephen Richards-Gill was again second fiddle to Coe, but what a fiddle he played, coming out of the encounter with six goals of his own. Johnathon King was the man of the match for the X-Men. The Tigers were carried along by Robert Wilson (4), while Robert Kemp was named their best on ground. Up next, South Mornington travel to La Trobe, while St Francis Xavier host Eley Park.

Preview

After a bye and a run of narrow defeats, Masala will be desperate for a win in Round 9 and will host an up and about Albert Park who have jumped into third place. The Falcons will be searching for another win, and should they get it, could jump into a top two spot pending other results go their way.

La Trobe will play host to South Mornington after vastly differing results, and both teams will be keen to win this game. If La Trobe win, and should results go their way, they could leapfrog into second or third, but if South Mornington win, LaTrobe could drop out of the four all together. The Swans will need to win to keep their finals aspirations alive and fall in danger of dropping four games away from fourth spot.

St Francis Xavier come up against Eley Park in a first vs second match up that could define their seasons in what can only be described as a true eight pointer. Already a game clear on top, a win for the X-Men will spell danger signs for the rest of the competition.

In the final game of the round, Elsternwick face off against Box Hill North. Box Hill North will be desperate for their first win for the season and they will be searching to knock it off this week against an Elsternwick team looking to seal their position as finals contenders.