Hawks wings clipped again, wickers making themselves right at home

Sheridan Harris

It was a stark comparison weather-wise when the Division 3 Men strolled out onto the field on Saturday, with Melbourne turning it on for round two. All four game scores collectively surpassed the 100-point threshold, though behinds still outweighed goals on the day.

The sun was the only shining light for 2021’s minor premiers in Hawthorn, who suffered their second loss of the season against an Emmaus St Leo’s side looking to respond, while Elsternwick haven’t missed a beat after their elevation from Division 4.

Emmaus St Leo’s got their season started, finally, downing Hawthorn at Bennettswood Reserve by 71 points. The two-blues got off to a great start, kicking four goals to zero in the first term before an interrupted second quarter stalled the game somewhat. Even a late fourth-quarter rally couldn’t save the Hawks, especially after the Animals kicked ten goals in the third term to all but seal the deal. Dan Hill kicked five majors for Emmaus St Leo’s, but all eyes were on Baxter Newbegin (3) who had somehow found himself playing forward for most of the day despite being a stalwart backman. In his first game for the club, Mike Washington took top honours as best-on. For Hawthorn, they had seven individual goalkickers, but it was Charlie Boots who was once again the best of the best.

It also must be said that all is well with Animal Hugh Schaeche, who has been released from hospital following a second-quarter incident.

Canterbury have continued their winning ways after beating North Brunswick by 45 points at Canterbury Sportsground. It was a tight tussle in the first quarter before the Cobras put their foot on the accelerator to go into the main break with a 26-point buffer. Five goals to two in the third term gave the home side the advantage, so not even a fairly even final quarter could give North Brunswick a chance. John Nicolopoulos kicked five goals in his first game for Richmond Central as Ryan Murray (4) rode shotgun in the forward line, and Nick Szabo (2) was named best-on. For the Bulls, Gary Savage (3) and Kali Dawborn (2) got their team on the board and Luke Russell was the best.

Ladder-leaders Elsternwick have beaten Richmond Central by 29 points at Kevin Bartlett Reserve to go 2-0 for the season so far. The Wickers kept a defendable distance between them and the home side for the whole game, taking a 33-point lead into half-time, and a four-goal-to-one fourth quarter still couldn’t get the Snakes over the line. Ben Reese was named best on for Elsternwick, but it was Matt Ball (3) who continued his goalkicking ways, with Nicholas Lowrie and Quinn De Luca both contributing two each. For Richmond Central, Thomas Rivers (2) and Jason Orr (2) put majors on the board, and Benson Adams took top honours.

Parkside have kickstarted their season with a bang with a 151-point win over the Westbourne Grammarians at Pitcher Park. A 17-goal first half set up an insurmountable lead for the home side, who also limited their opponents to just two behinds. Red Devil Simon Mackie (11) made up for lost time, taking out best-on honours and rocketing to the top of the divisional goalscoring tally after just one game, while Benedict Douglas (4) and Lewis Balcombe (3) contributed plenty too. Ben Johnson was the Warriors’ only goalscorer on the day and Brendan Donald was their best.

With round three not until after the Easter break, all teams have the opportunity to rest and make plans for the next part of the season.

But when VAFA footy returns, there are some mouth-watering contests, none more so than Elsternwick v South Melbourne Districts. It’s their first meeting in Division 3 after both teams were promoted, but if their battles from 2021 are anything to go by, those at Holmes Todd Oval are in for a real treat. The Bloods will be fresh off their two-week break, while the Wickers are unbeaten two rounds into the season.

For their third home game in a row, Emmaus St Leo’s will welcome Richmond Central to Bennettswood Reserve. Only two rounds have passed so far but it’s been a rollercoaster already for the Animals who were truly beaten in their first game, but responded well to comfortably beat last year’s minor premiers. The Snakes will look to rebound in a similar fashion, having gone down to divisional-newcomers in round two.

North Brunswick are yet to get on the board in 2022, but will face a tough Parkside outfit, fresh off a thumping win, at Allard Park. The Bulls have been competitive in both their games but have yet to come away with a win, while Parkside’s first-round bye set them up for huge first game in round two. It’s been a rough start to the year for last year’s minor premiers in Hawthorn, who have yet to get a mark in the win tally. In round 3, they’ll welcome an unbeaten Canterbury side to Rathmines Road Reserve after what is likely to be a rough review of their first two games.

The Westbourne Grammarians will have two weeks off to assess their season, coming off the Easter break straight into their bye.