Kew and St Kevins continue in the race for top spot

Kristin Sims

Kew showed early on in the match between them and St Marys Salesian why they are hunting for the top spot on the ladder from St Kevins. It was a blistering start in the first quarter for Kew, that saw them continuing to show the attacking brand of football they have displayed so far this year that has seen them now win 7 games this year. The first quarter saw Kew pile on 4 goals and keep St Marys scoreless. The impressive display from Kew continued throughout the game, and it saw them go into halftime with a massive 62 point lead. The defensive pressure throughout the game from Kew saw them keep St Marys goalless until the last quarter. It was an all round team effort in the game from Kew, from their 14 goals they had nine different goal scorers. The win also saw Kew take their percentage up to 346 which makes their fight for the top spot closer than ever. 

It was a beautiful sunny autumn day at Mcalister oval when West Brunswick hosted Old Xaverians. With the oval decked out in Pride colours and West Brunswick in their Pride guernseys, it was up to them to get the win over Old Xaverians to hold on to fourth spot on the ladder. West Brunswick were strong early on and heaped the pressure onto Old Xavs limiting any opportunity they may have had to score. Going into halftime West Brunswick had themselves a handy 21 point lead. After the main break it was all West Brunswick, and they were looking to seal the win early but old Old Xaverians weren’t going down without a fight. Kicking two quick goals they kept themselves right in range. It would all come down to the final quarter and Old Xaverians had a chance to close the gap early on but were inaccurate. In a tightly contested last quarter where Old Xaverians could sense an upset, neither team were able to kick a goal and so it was West Brunswick who held on for the win. 

With Kew breathing down their necks St Kevins were needing a win to keep the top spot on the ladder and with Caulfield Grammarians being chased by a hot West Brunswick this game had consequences for both teams. It was St Kevins who brought the heat early but Caulfield stuck right with them, matching their pressure throughout. Caulfield had the better of St Kevins early in front of goal and were able to take an early lead. The ladder leaders weren’t going down easily though and despite having more attempts at goals their inaccuracy kept Caulfield right in the game. Caulfield raised their tackling pressure as the game went on and some excellent tackles resulted in them creating turnovers, but they were unable to break through the St Kevins wall of defence. St Kevins proved why they are the competition leaders and kept Caulfield scoreless in the final term and claimed victory to stay on top of the ladder heading into round 8. 

Melbourne Uni have been competitive this season since joining the Premier Division and with a top 4 spot being a possibility their game against Marcellin was a must win. It was evenly matched early on with Marcellin keeping Melbourne Uni underwraps. Some strong play late in the quarter and a goal right on the quarter time siren saw Melbourne Uni in the lead. In the second Marcellin scored early to keep Melbourne Uni on the defensive. Some strong work out of the centre from Melbourne Uni put them ahead in possession but at half time there would be just 2 points between the two sides. No one was able to take control in the third quarter and it was Marcellin who scored the only goal to take a small lead into the final term. Marcellin was a force to be reckoned with early on, controlling possession and keeping the ball out of Melbourne Uni’s hands. There were some small mistakes from Marcellin that Melbourne Uni were able to capitalise on and quickly take the lead. A strong defensive effort for the remainder of the quarter for Melbourne Uni saw them hold Marcellin to just 1 point in the final term whilst kicking 3 goals themselves to come out winners.