Top 4 tightens as the Hawks open their account

Sheridan Harris

In typical Melbourne fashion, VAFA footy experienced all four seasons in one day on the weekend as the rain came down early, but eventually cleared for the last half of Division 3 Men’s games. 

Hawthorn finally registered their first win of the season, while Elsternwick and South Melbourne Districts find themselves in a similar position to last year, if but a division higher. 

A goalless first quarter to both teams ended with South Melbourne Districts downing Richmond Central at Kevin Bartlett Reserve by 33 points. It was tough going on the scoreboard until the third term, where the Bloods piled on six goals to zero to be well and truly up, taking a 36-point buffer into the final quarter. Despite a late rally with four goals late in the game, the Snakes lost out on the day. Jack Bilson (2) was the only one to kick multiple goals for the home side, with Benjamin Krieger, Justin Perillo, Jordan Miller, and Billy Browning-Briese their other goalkickers. Dylan Curnow was their best. For the away side, Jason Clifford (3), Oliver Dufficy (2), and Leigh Sfetkidis (2) starred up forward, with the former topping South Melbourne Districts’ best players list.

A spirited Emmaus St Leo’s side has ridded Pitcher Park of any bad energy from previous encounters, taking down Parkside by 32 points despite the home side getting an early lead. The Red Devils got the jump on the Animals in the first term, but a response in the second quarter saw the away side kick five goals from plenty of inside 50s to take an 11-point buffer into the main break. Michael Davis (2) and James Moran (2) saw plenty of the ball to be their side’s multiple-goalscorers, while Jacob Glare (1) earned best on ground honours. For Parkside, their leading goalkicker in Simon Mackie was kept to just one major, with Matthew Holden (1), William O’Neill-Shaw (1), and Jackson Hubbard (1) also getting on the board. Jack Hamilton was their best. 

Hawthorn have finally gotten on the board for 2022, with a thumping 140-point win over the Westbourne Grammarians at Westbourne Grammar. The Warriors started on the back foot immediately, with a 0-45 scoreline going into the first break, before they scored in the second quarter. But it wasn’t to be enough, with the Hawks arguably sealing the deal just before half-time, with a lead of 66 points. A 15-goal second half was ultimately just icing on the cake for the away side, who had 11 individual goalkickers. William Meehan (7), Darcy Johnston (5), Charlie Lee (3), Justin Raiti (2), Troy McMaster (2), James Southby (2), and Tom Rea (2) were Hawthorn’s multiple-goalscorers, but it was James Betlehem who took top honours. For the home side, Ali Eqbal (2) was once again their best in front of goal, while Jack Lishman (1) was their best overall. 

Division 3 Men’s appears to be a piece of cake for Elsternwick, who are still unbeaten after taking down Canterbury by 20 points at Canterbury Sportsground. It was a fairly even contest in the first quarter until a seven-goal second term gave the Cobras the potential to cause an upset. But a second half rally from the ladder leaders saw the Wickers cut back the deficit to just three points, before five majors in the final quarter sealed the deal. Daniel Marchese (4) and Julian Yeatman (4) were both excellent in front of goal for Elsternwick, while Matt Harvey took top honours. For Canterbury, John Nicolopoulos (3) continued his great form as Ryan Murray (2) and James Boarotto (2) rode shotgun, and Nick Szabo was his side’s best. 

North Brunswick return from their bye and welcome Elsternwick to Allard Park. The Wickers are yet to lose and will find a worthy opponent in the Bulls. Both Canterbury and Parkside will be looking for redemption after competitive games in round six still saw them both come away with losses. Pitcher Park is once again the destination.

Richmond Central will travel to Rathmines Road Reserve to face a Hawthorn side intent on keeping the winning feeling alive after finally getting a mark in the win column, while the Snakes will be hoping to get back on the winner’s list. The Westbourne Grammarians face a tough task as they make the trek to Lindsay Hassett Oval to face South Melbourne Districts. 

Emmaus St Leo’s go into their bye off really good form after downing rivals Parkside in round six.