X-Men rout Sharks, Wickers win a thriller

Connor Hoetzel

Albert Park strong-armed South Mornington from start to finish in Round 13, kicking at least five goals in every quarter on their way to a 115-point drubbing. The highlight for the Falcons was a mammoth nine goal third term, where they stretched their lead out to 91 points before the final change. In the end, just over 19 goals distinguished Albert Park from the hosts, as the Falcons flexed 11 different goal kickers, and six of those in the multiples. Both Joshua Beets and Cale Blizzard kicked six goals each, and Thomas Wilson played his part superbly with four majors, and being named the best on ground. The Tigers Matt Wells and Jordan Waite kicked three each, and Greg Pullen was South Mornington’s man of the match. Coming up in Round 14, Albert Park host Masala Dandenong and South Mornington face St Francis Xavier.

South Melbourne have kept their finals hopes alive with a blistering 43-point win over Masala Dandenong. After being held goalless in the first quarter, the Swans bounced back in the second with six unanswered goals. From then on, the Souths held their own, and are now just two games out of the four, with a bye scheduled for Round 14, making their chances for finals dramatically improved on what it was a few weeks ago. Masala Dandenong’s goals were spread evenly among five different players, while their man of the match was Leigh Tannahill. The Swans had three goals apiece to Jason Clifford and Matt Hives, while Declan Barlow was their best on ground. Looking ahead to this weekend’s games, South Melbourne have the aforementioned week off to rest and recover, while the Tigers will travel to Albert Park to face one of Division 4’s most in form teams.

La Trobe University and Elsternwick battled out in a see-sawing contest, that saw the lead change every quarter, and a thrilling eight point final margin in the Wicks favour. The win sees Elsternwick enhance their grip on a finals place, and keeps them in touch with a lucrative top two finish, while La Trobe’s loss now sees them contending with both Eley Park and South Melbourne for the final spot in the top four. Bailey Zimmerman was the Trobers only multiple goal scorer for the afternoon, kicking two, meanwhile Andy Castles was the best on ground. The Wicks leading goal scorer, and only multiple goal scorer in Round 14, was Nicholas Lowrie (3), while Shane Convery was named the man of the match, and Julian Yeatman as the second. La Trobe return to the Saturday Night lights next week, with a showdown against Box Hill North awaiting, while Elsternwick can do La Trobe’s finals aspirations a massive favour by defeating Eley Park.

The X-Men and Coe(s) were absolutely prolific in their second half blitz against Eley Park, with the visiting St Francis Xavier piling on 17 goals to the Sharks one over the final two quarters to conclude as 98-point victors. While most weeks the attention goes to Harrison Coe, this week he had to share the limelight with brother Marcus, as they both left Eley Park with seven massive goals apiece. Neither of them were fortunate enough to claim the best on ground honours, as they went to the three goals of Rohan Suttie. The X-Men were held to just one first quarter goal to trail by 26 points at quarter time, but the traffic was all one way from that point, with the Sharks holding a slim two point lead at the main break. A seven goals to one third quarter gave St Francis a comfortable 34-point margin going into the final change, before exploding with 10.4 in the final quarter, while holding Eley Park scoreless. Joshua Balon was excellent for the Sharks, kicking three and being named in the best, while Jesiah McGarvie was his usual brilliant self, and Terrence Dingeldei also played superbly. Next week, St Francis Xavier will host South Mornington, and should continue their winning streak. Eley Park will need a big scalp over Elsternwick, and should they pull it off, will draw level with the Bombers (3^rd) on premiership points.

Preview

Elsternwick host Eley Park in a third vs fourth contest, that will either see Eley Park become a high chance of finishing top two, or place them in danger of missing the top four all together. Watch for a close contest that isn’t over until the very end.

Albert Park host Masala, in a game that should see the hosts triumph. Never rule out an upset in footy however, as the Tigers will try to replicate their early season form that saw them hand St Francis Xavier their only loss this season. The Tigers can be a force to be reckoned with.

St Francis Xavier will look to continue their dominance with a victory of cellar dwellers South Mornington. So far, the Tigers have only had two wins this season, while the X-Men have won all but one.

The final match of the round sees La Trobe return to their home ground, under the lights against Box Hill North. A dour season for the North’s to date, returning zero wins so far. The Trobers, conversely, are a serious chance for finals.