Krushers walk the plank as Pirates sail towards September

Jake Morris

Despite entering Round 17 in fifth position, sitting a full game and percentage behind their counterparts for the fourth and final spot in September, Peninsula OB have done the unthinkable and stunned Oakleigh by 69 points to move ahead of the Krushers and book a mouth-watering elimination final with Kew. Finishing the year with five wins from their final six games, the Pirates have well and truly earned this finals appearance, taking down UHS-VU, Kew and Oakleigh en route to their first September action since 2016. Club stalwart Shaun Payze was the match-winner with a season-high five goals, also kicking his monumental 1000^th senior goal for the club in the process, while Nelson Forrest was named best afield. This now sets up an elimination final with the Bears, who were knocked from first to third in a loss to Therry Penola in Round 18. Liam Gillard was named the Krushers best, who will now miss finals for the first time since 2016.

Although they will not be featuring in September action for 2019, nobody will ever question the heart of Therry Penola as they downed Kew by two-points to finish the year with 11 wins and just percentage behind the Pirates, while also sending the Bears tumbling down from top-spot to an elimination final. Brenton Egglestone was named the Lions best while Kane O’Halloran kicked three to finish the season with 42 goals, tied for fourth overall. A catastrophic result for Kew as they now enter September without the double chance, and now must face a red-hot Peninsula whose confidence is through the roof following their historic victory. Jackson Lesko kicked four and Jack Delbridge was named the Bears best in an otherwise disappointing day.

Returning to form and returning to the top-two in the process was UHS-VU as they defeated St Mary’s Salesian by 18 points, setting up a qualifying final with the in-form side of the competition and minor premiers, Preston Bullants. Piling on 10.5 to 3.4 in the second and third terms, the Vultures were able to swoop past the Saints and re-gain some form entering the post-season. Lucas Czajko made it nine goals in two weeks with five majors while Ben and James Dimattina were given the votes. Dan Hicks was named the Saints best while Michael Dolan and Jack Elliston kicked three apiece as their side finishes in 7^th spot with eight wins for the year.

Finishing the season with two wins from their final three games was West Brunswick as they got past Old Paradians by 25 points in the battle for the wooden spoon. The Westies used an impressive final term to run past their counterparts, keeping them goalless and kicking three of their own to avoid 10^th spot on the table and etch in win number three for the year. Cameron Perkins was once again the star up-forward for his side with four goals to finish the season with 36, also claiming best afield honours for his performance. Cameron Drake kicked four for Parade in just his fifth game for the side. Both clubs will feature in Division 2 for 2020, with Parade a year out from a premiership in the grade while the Westies return after losing in the 2017 Grand Final to Prahran Assumption.

Following a 56-point defeat at the hands of Kew on May 18^th, Preston Bullants found themselves in 7^th position and with little hope of featuring with any prominence in season 2019. Fast-forward to August 24^th and the Bullants have secured the minor premiership thanks to an 11-game win streak, capped off by their 48-point victory over Prahran Assumption. A 6.4 to 1.0 opening term from Preston created the buffer early, and thanks to some level scoring headlined by Tom Hill with four, the Bullants were able to cruise to another victory and set-up a clash with UHS-VU in week-one of September. The Two Blues finish the year in eighth spot with five wins.

Semi-Final 2: Preston Bullants v UHS-VU

Bullants – 95.2ppg (105.2 on the win streak), concede 68.2 (57.1 on the win streak)
Vultures – 93.6ppg (98.3 in wins), concede 67.9 (55.6 in wins)
Preston have never lost to UHS-VU (4-0), holding an average winning margin of 38.2 points.

Semi-Final 1: Kew v Peninsula

Bears – 89.7ppg (100.2 in wins), concede 59.8 (53.4 in wins)
Pirates – 96ppg (115.5 in wins), concede 74.6 (64.7 in wins)
Peninsula hold a 3-1 record since 2011, holding an average winning margin of 25 points.