A percentage boosting weekend but 6 won’t go into 4

The top three sides in Division 2 are having their way with the rest of the competition in the opening third of the season. While the intrigue around fourth spot on the table will only heat up as we move into the colder months of 2022. 

Old Paradians travelled out to Aquinas College, keen to respond after their one-goal performance in round 5, and respond they did. In the closest match of the round they held a 23 point lead at half time, and then were forced to hold on for dear life as Aquinas stormed back at them in the second half. 

A three quarter time lead of four points stayed that way when the final siren rang as both sides traded behinds in the last stanza. The victory pushes Old Parade up to sixth with a 3-3 record, while Aquinas falls out of the top 4. Josh Robertson (2) has hit the scoreboard in consecutive weeks for Aquinas, but it wasn’t enough to get them over the line on this occasion. While for Parade, Kyle Mahony kicked 2 and was amongst the best on the day. 

Round 7 pins Old Parade against the bottom placed Power House at Garvey Oval, a chance to consolidate this win by making it two in a row. For Aquinas, they’re facing off against a side who is taking it all before them this year, Ivanhoe AFC in a must watch clash. 

The Hoers are now on a four game winning streak after accounting for Yarra Old Grammarians by 32 points. Without Ash Close, Wayne Schulz and Scott Selwood, Ivanhoe AFC had to find a different way to goal and they found the answer in ​​Vivian Blackmore-Moore (5) and Billy Drake (4), taking his season tally to 14. 

A 25 point half time lead expanded to 41 points with six goals to three in the third term and while the Bushrangers will be comfortable that they finished the game full of running, winning the final term, it won’t be enough to tick all the boxes for coach Craig Vozzo. 

Matthew Young can hold his head up high after his performance as well as Jai Mudher (3 goals) and Sam Robertson who was named the best for the Bushrangers. 

The next assignment for Yarra, is out at Ted Ajani Reserve against Bulleen Templestowe. A ground that will hold fond memories from 12 months ago and they’ll be hoping for a repeat of that performance. 

As has been said on the VAFA podcast, it’s a very different looking Bulleen Templestowe this year, for the second half on Saturday they served it up to the benchmark of Brunswick, both sides kicking six goals, however the slow start to the game is where it was ultimately lost. 

A 45 point margin at half-time for the ladder leaders, saw both sides stay that distance apart for the rest of the afternoon. Kane Daly (3), Jonathon Haddad (3), and Thomas Wilson (3) were the focal points up forward for the purple and white army. While for the Ants, Anthony Nicholas Lucisano added another 4 goals to his season tally. He is averaging 3 goals a game and putting himself in the best every week. It wouldn’t be surprising if he is leading the best and fairest count after the first third of the year. 

The round belonged to the high-scorers in MHSOB and West Brunswick. It was a fine tune-up for the Magpies who this week will welcome cross-suburb rivals Brunswick to Ransford Oval in their annual Pride Game, they’ll be feeling very good about themselves after thumping Manningham Cobras to the tune of 134 points. 

10 goals to one in the first half set up the victory, and then 15 to four in the second half announced to the rest of the competition they mean business. Luke Buckler and Stuart Henshall both kicked five for the Magpies with Michael Turnbull being named the best player on the ground. As well as picking up the four points, the win gives West Brunswick an additional 41% and puts them into fourth spot, the spot that Aquinas, Old Parade and themselves are vying for. 

Over at MHSOB, Ashan Wijayakumara (6) moved to equal top of the sharpshooters with Brunswick’s Thomas Wilson, he had support up forward with Hugh Radcliffe-Smith (5) and Julian Eimutis (4) as the Unicorns routed Power House by 97 points. 

It was a case of putting the foot down in the final term for the home side who sent home nine majors to four in the final term to give themselves their highest score for the season. They added another 16% to their total which keeps them breathing down the neck of Ivanhoe AFC in the push for a spot in the top two. 

While Power House are having a baptism of fire to start 2022, let’s sing the praises of Jeremy Hill (3 goals) who has consistently been in the best players, and amongst the goals. It’s tough to see where their first win of the year is going to come from, but footy is not always as predictable as we believe it to be, maybe this Saturday at Garvey Oval, it all comes together for them?