Preston burrows into top-four, Lions lower Bears colours

Jake Morris

After climbing to the top of the table, courtesy of a six-game winning streak, Kew’s brief hold on the prize was short-lived as they were outclassed by a pesky Therry Penola outfit. Elsewhere, UHS-VU returned to the winners list in convincing fashion to re-take top position on the ladder, the Two Blues and Krushers snagged handy victories while Preston continued their purple patch to move into the top-four.

After holding on to Division 1’s top spot over the bye weekend, Kew have been knocked back a peg after succumbing to Therry Penola by 23 points in Round 9. A second half fight-back from the Lions saw them boot nine-goals-to-five to push past a somewhat disappointing Bears outfit. Jarrod Bannister bagged five for the winners, while Kane O’Halloran was instrumental with four majors and a BOG performance. Jack Delbridge and Brinley Duggan were the Bears best, but with only two majors from the Nathan Sambevski, Brayden King, Jeremy Hannan and Andrew Brazzale forward-line, it’s always going to be difficult to walk away with the points. The Lions have now won five of their last six games, and with this top spot scalp in the books, finals are no longer a pipe dream like it was after Round 3.

Fresh off two substantial victories over the Vultures and Saints, respectively, Preston Bullants were out to inflict more pain when they travelled to Parade College for a matchup with Old Paradians. Despite an even opening half, the Bullants amassed 11 of the final 12 goals of the match, pushing the 10-point halftime lead to an insurmountable 55-point lead at the final change, and cruising to victory by 75-points. Thomas Hill helped himself to a bag of six and his running mate Jack Sammartino piled on with four, while Sam Fleming to be judged best afield. Andrew Souza was named best on for Paradians. The Bullants third straight victory sees them jump from seventh to fourth, but with Oakleigh now on deck, Preston’s purple patch of form will be tested immensely.

Despite dropping their last two games and revealing a few chinks in their armour, UHS-VU steadied and downed West Brunswick by 59 points, returning to the winners list and re-claiming top spot in the process. Leading from start to finish, the Vultures were clinical in this confidence boosting victory, beginning their run towards the finals in fine fashion. Nicolas Wallace booted four while seven other Vultures got on the scoresheet, including James Gilfillan who claimed BOG honours. David Ferrier was named his sides best for the day, but with seven losses on the trot and a tough schedule on the horizon (Bears, Krushers, Bullants, Vultures), the Westies will look to raise the bar before letting the season get away from them.

Winners in three of their last four, Prahran Assumption have now separated themselves from the bottom of the table and have moved into striking distance of an unlikely finals berth, with their Round 9 victory over St Mary’s Salesian bringing them just one game from a top-four spot. A fast paced opening two quarters was followed by a defensive slog in the second half, with the Two Blues managing to restrict the Saints to just 2.5 (17) after half time, claiming a much needed four-points in the process. Brent Chapman kicked three while Joel Hume and Ryley Conlan both were outstanding across the ground. Michael Dolan kicked three for the Saints while Nick Bussell was named his side’s best, but a disappointing result overall as they drop to seventh on the table.

Following on from his 14-goal haul in Round 8, Aaron Cloke was once again the match winner for Oakleigh, as his bag of five was ultimately the difference in his sides 19-point win over Peninsula. Trailing at every break, the Krushers mustered six majors in the last to run over the top of the Pirates and claim their sixth win on the year. Liam Gillard was adjudged best afield for his role in the victory. Will Harbinson conjured five goals himself for the Pirates but it was to no avail,as his side ran out of legs in the final term, falling to a 4-5 record and a full game outside of the top-four.