Westies win at Toorak Park, Pirates ransack Bears

Tash Gunawardana

West Brunswick came from behind to win by five points over Prahran Assumption at Toorak Park in Round 16. The Two Blues were the stronger team in the first half, scoring eight goals to two, and looked like they were heading for a massive win. However, there was a huge momentum shift in the Magpies favour, as they went on to slot 10 majors to the Two Blues three after halftime. Cameron Perkins was the standout for West Brunswick with six goals. For the Two Blues, Callum Wilson could not be stopped with five goals to his name. The Magpies get off the bottom and into ninth with the victory and the Two Blues’ position remains unchanged at eighth.

Peninsula recorded an impressive eight-point upset win against top-of-the-table Kew at Peninsula School. Kew led at every change but did not lead when it counted at the final siren, as the Pirates came out with intent in the final quarter kicking three goals to one. The Pirates leading goal scorer in the match was Stefan Barbour with four goals, and for the Bears, Jackson Lesko popped up with four majors. Ladder positions for both teams remain unchanged.

Oakleigh held their nerve to win by three points despite a late surge from UHS-VU at Brens Oval. The Vultures came hard at the Krushers in the final quarter, kicking six majors to 1.7, but consistent second and third quarters saw Oakleigh get the win, as they kicked four goals and three goals in these terms, respectively. Aaron Cloke kicked five goals for the Krushers and Clayton Lund slotted through four goals for the Vultures. Oakleigh led at every change and eventually ran out three-point winners over a resurgent UHS-VU. With the loss, UHS-VU AFC fall from second to third spot and Oakleigh remain in fifth on the ladder despite the narrow victory.

A solid six-goal final quarter steered Preston Bullants to a 42-point victory over St Mary’s Salesian at Ferndale Park. Nicholas De Andrade, Sean Calcedo and Thomas Hill all kicked three goals each to ensure the Bullants secured the win, while for the Saints, Louis Holmes was the shining light for his side booting through four majors. With the victory, Bullants move up from third to second on the ladder and St Mary’s Salesian fall from sixth to seventh.

Therry Penola OB were a class above Old Paradians, winning by 80 points at John Pascoe Fawkner Reserve. Surprisingly, the Lions were kept scoreless in the third term by Parade, but unfortunately the Paradians only managed a behind despite their impressive defensive efforts. A solid second term helped Lions get the victory, where they scored six goals, before continuing to flex in the last term – nailing through six goals and keeping Parade scoreless. Kane O’Halloran (3) was the standout for the Lions up forward, while teammates Brock Egglestone, Darcy Ryan, Sean Rees and Blake McKinnon all chipped in two goals apiece. In a losing side, Michael Boundy kicked two goals in a hard day at the office. The Lions move up from seventh to sixth and Parade drop to bottom spot with the crushing defeat.