Victory again for milestone man, defeat again for last year’s minor premiers

Sheridan Harris

Division 3 Men’s footy returned from the Easter break with a vengeance as most club socials tried to avoid posting photos with the caption ‘Don’t say it, don’t say it, don’t say it’. But it absolutely was a day for footy, as Melbourne provided the perfect sun-and-blue-skies backdrop for a couple of upsets, and some fierce wins.

2021 minor premiers Hawthorn are still winless three rounds into the season and Parkside suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of a gutsy North Brunswick outfit, while Elsternwick have narrowly held onto their clean record.

Emmaus St Leo’s capped off their run of home games to begin the season with a hard-fought win over Richmond Central at Bennettswood Reserve. It was a close contest despite the scoreboard, with the game ebbing and flowing before the Animals kicked away in the final term to win by 23 points. Matt Hill (4) had his kicking boots on for the home side, with Sam Barrah and Jonathan Greensides both kicking two each to ride shotgun in the forward line, but it was Lawrence Virgo’s efforts down back that earned him best-on honours. Richmond Central had nine individual goalkickers but Justin Perillo (3) and Jack Bilson (2) were the only multiple-goal scorers, with Damien Holland their best.

It was a 250^th game to remember for Elsternwick stalwart Justin Hunter as he and his teammates left Holmes Todd Oval one-point winners in a thriller against familiar foes South Melbourne Districts. The game appeared to be on the Bloods’ terms for the better part of the day, with the Wickers struggling early to get on the board and kept goalless until the second quarter. A late rally from Elsternwick in the final term meant they were just able to overrun the away side. Oliver Dufficy (8) kicked more than half of his team’s majors, with Zephyr Howson (2), George Dixon (1) and Jack Cotton (1) the Bloods’ only remaining goalkickers. For the home side, aptly-named Matt Ball and David Convery contributed three goals each, but it was Dylan Jones (1) who topped the best-on list.

A Simon Mackie-less Parkside went down to North Brunswick by 16 points at Allard Park, despite taking a small lead into the first break. The Bulls kept their noses in front for the last three quarters of the game, with the Red Devils unable to gain the lead back. Tim Liston (3) returned to his goalkicking ways for the home side, subsequently earning best-on honours in the process, while Matthew David, Andrew Ramzy, Samuel Willatt, and Joseph Flynn all kicked two each. In the absence of their fellow forward, Matthew Holden (3), William O’Neil-Shaw (2), and Benedict Douglas (2) all picked up the slack, with the latter Parkside’s best.

There might be alarm bells ringing for last year’s minor premiers as Canterbury travelled to Rathmines Road Reserve and dismantled Hawthorn by 32 points. The Hawks rallied in the second term after a goalless first quarter to get a score on the board but the Cobras still went into the main break with an 18-point buffer. There was only 24 points in it by the beginning of the fourth quarter but Canterbury kicked seven goals to seal the deal, despite six majors from the home side. Liam Shearer (5) was only one of eleven individual goalkickers for the away side but took best-on honours for his efforts, with John Nicolopoulos kicking three to add to his tally. Positively, Hawthorn had Darcy Johnston (6), Aaron Downie (4), and Justin Raiti (4) in front of goal, and it showed, finishing with a scoreline of 18.9. Xavier Bryham was their best.

For the first time this year, Emmaus St Leo’s will travel, heading to Allard Park to face a North Brunswick side eager to continue their winning ways. Both sides are heading into round four off gritty wins, with the Animals keen to get on the board away from home.

The Westbourne Grammarians will be fresh off a two-week break as Richmond Central welcomes them to Kevin Bartlett Reserve. The Snakes are coming off a tough loss in round three and will look to rebound against a Warriors side yet to get on the board.

A lossless Canterbury side will face South Melbourne Districts at Canterbury Sportsground, hoping to go 4-0 this early on in the season. The Bloods will be sore, coming off a fiercely-contested one-point loss, and be looking to rebound quickly against a tough opposition.

In a similar fashion to their last meeting, the battle between Parkside and Hawthorn at Pitcher Park appears to be the game of the round. The Hawks are still yet to register their first win of the year, while the Red Devils are coming off what is arguably a surprise loss in round three.

Elsternwick get the week off to rest after a tight round three win, and go into the bye sitting pretty on top of the ladder.