Division 3 Men’s Mid-Season Review

Sheridan Harris

It’s been a relatively pleasing first half the year for Emmaus St Leo’s, who came into the 2021 season arguably flag favourites after Division 3’s top two from 2019 were both promoted. They sit third on the ladder with five wins and two losses, the latter of which came against fellow premiership contenders Parkside and Hawthorn by 6 and 34 points respectively. The Animals have won their last three games comfortably enough, setting themselves up for a fantastic last half of the season. This weekend, Emmaus St Leo’s will be on the hunt for redemption as they welcome the Hawks to Bennettswood Reserve, aiming to even the ledger at 1-1.

Parkside will be rueing their 52-point loss to Hawthorn in their most recent game as it meant they lost top spot on the ladder, but it has been the only real blemish on an otherwise stellar season. At 6-1, they’re well-poised to attack the rest of the year and will take a lot of confidence from winning their first six games. On Saturday, the Red Devils will be aiming to get back onto the winner’s list with a repeat performance as they make the trek to Kevin Bartlett Reserve to face Richmond Central. Parkside took the points when they played each other in Round 4, which was also was played on the Snakes’ home deck.

Hawthorn’s season didn’t start the way they wanted, going down to North Brunswick in a one-point thriller in the opening round, but since then, they’ve been virtually untouchable as they sit at the top of the table. Three close games haven’t done their percentage any favours, but comprehensive wins against Albert Park and Parkside have, with the latter allowing them to take first place on the ladder. With footy returning this weekend, the Hawks will be looking for their seventh win of the season as they travel to Bennettswood Reserve to face Emmaus St Leo’s.

Richmond Central sit just inside the top four, one game clear of fifth spot at 4-3 with big wins against Albert Park, Westbourne Grammarians and North Brunswick. Their most recent smashing of the Bulls sets them up with a good opportunity to begin the rest of the season on a high. On the weekend, the Snakes will welcome Parkside to Kevin Bartlett Reserve, keen to redeem themselves after their 16-point loss to them in Round 4.

It has not been the best year of footy for Albert Park, who currently sit winless on the bottom of the ladder. They came close in their most recent game against Westbourne but ultimately lost by just 11 points in what was probably their best opportunity to get four points. This Saturday, the Falcons will be face North Brunswick as they travel to Allard Park in search of their first win. Last time they faced each other, the Bulls came away with the win by a large margin, but the Falcons will still be full of belief, looking to their best players in Joshua Rennie, Sam Lee and Tyson Cattle.

Canterbury’s 2021 season has been up and down as they sit just under top 4, with a 3-4 win/loss record. Their close loss to Emmaus St Leo’s in their most recent game could have been a tide-turner given they were in it until the end where the Animals held on. The Cobras will restart their season against the Westbourne Grammarians when they travel to Westbourne Grammar, aiming to get back on the winner’s list. Having both won and lost the two times they have travelled this season, this game will provide a good opportunity to see where Canterbury are at.

North Brunswick’s season got off to a scintillating start after downing Hawthorn in a one-point thriller in round one but it hasn’t exactly gone to plan since, winning just more game to sit 2-5 and sixth on the ladder. With footy returning, North Brunswick will welcome a winless Albert Park outfit to Allard Park this weekend, and are aiming for a repeat performance that saw them take down the Falcons by 95 points. The Bulls will need to take the four points to avoid a third consecutive loss.

The Westbourne Grammarians sit equal with North Brunswick on the ladder at 2-5 at this stage of the season, with the Bulls only above them by percentage. The Warriors’ season didn’t start the way they wanted to, their round one loss to Emmaus St Leo’s the beginning of three consecutive losses. But they rebounded against North Brunswick, and then Albert Park most recently to head into the next part of the season on a win. This Saturday, Westbourne will welcome Canterbury at home at Westbourne Grammar.