Lions roar into four as King returns

Jake Morris

For the first time this year, Therry Penola will feature inside the top four after they dispatched the Two Blues in a low scoring affair. Elsewhere, Kew and UHS-VU both took care of business while Peninsula sank the Saints and the Bullants made it six-straight to keep hold of third position.

Despite an 0-3 start to the year, and an average losing margin of 54-points, Therry Penola have made the unthinkable comeback to turn their bleak season around and leap inside the top-four for the first time in 2019, disposing of Prahran Assumption by nine points. Despite having nine more scoring shots than their counterparts, inaccuracy in-front of goal almost proved deadly for the Lions, with their 7.15 (57) total leaving the margin a little close for comfort. Kane O’Halloran bagged three, Daniel Tadinac and Jarrod Bannister each kicked two apiece while Jedd Taylor received the votes in what was the Lions 8^th win from their last 10 rounds. Brett Dickinson was named the Two Blues best in what was their third defeat from their last month of play.

Surviving an early scare to keep a firm hold on top-spot was UHS-VU, as they downed an up-start West Brunswick by 56 points. An uncharacteristic start by the Vultures saw them head into the first change trailing by 25 points, but as the day continued, the class of the premiership favourites began to shine through. Unable to afford a shock loss, the Vultures produced a final quarter-masterclass, with a 7.10 (52) to 0.2 (2) showing to blow past their opponents. Nick Devereux bagged three for the Vultures with five of his teammates chipping in with two apiece, while Fraser Allen was named BOG. Luke Buckler was named the Westies best as they continue to find that illusive victory to lift themselves off the bottom of the table.

In what may have been our most anticipated clash for Round 13, Kew were able to bounce back from Round 12’s results to down a pesky Oakleigh by eight points. A tight contest for most of the afternoon, it was the Bears third term which was ultimately the decider with a 4.6 (30) to 1.2 (8) score-line helping extinguish the Krushers half-time advantage and build an insurmountable lead heading into the last. Despite four majors from Oakleigh counterpart Aaron Cloke, Richard Wilton’s three-goal haul was enough to lift his side to their ninth win on the year. Ned and Max Waters were both sublime for the Bears while Liam Gillard received the votes for the Krushers, who now fall out of the four for the first time since Round 1.

Claiming their sixth consecutive victory in Round 13 was Preston, as they took care of business and handled Old Paradians by 59 points. After swapping out his Preston red for the Old Carey black, blue and yellow, it was finally time for a return party for James King, who had himself a day out with a bag of six in a best on ground performance. Kicking his largest haul in a match since 2014, the beloved Bullant is back to help lead his side to a deep run in September. Teammate Liam Sutton also booted three while Jack Sammartino and Sean Calcedo chipped in with two apiece in what was a spirt lifting afternoon for the club. Matt Luciani and Michael Boundy each kicked three for the Paradians as their streak without a win continues to mount.

Our final clash from the weekend past saw Peninsula beat a disappointing St Mary’s Salesian pillar to post in a 67-point victory. Despite leaving some valuable percentage points on the board thanks to their inaccuracy in-front of goal (19.23), it wasn’t enough to stop the Pirates from overwhelming the Saints and capturing win number seven to move into fifth, just one game behind the Lions. Jake Williams was named best afield while 10 different players registered a major for Peninsula, with Shaun Payze booting four, Sam Glenn contributing three and Will Harbinson also kicking three to help elevate the Pirates to their second biggest win on the year. Hamish Heath was the lone bright spot for the Saints with three majors in what was a forgettable day for the club who now drop two games back of fourth position.