Finals Door Still Ajar for Most of Division 3 Men’s

Sheridan Harris

VAFA footy returned on the weekend, and Division 3 Men’s returned with a vengeance. Melbourne provided arguably arctic conditions that got even colder over the course of the day, with many donning the long sleeves to try and combat the wind. Said wind wreaked relative havoc on the scoreboard for most teams as most goals to points ratios skewed to the latter. 

It was an unfortunate day for South Melbourne Districts, who suffered their second loss of the year against a misfiring Hawthorn side, though the Bloods still have their name on top of the ladder. Canterbury also suffered a shock loss, failing to get up over Parkside, while North Brunswick’s win over Emmaus St Leo’s makes the ladder very interesting as eight teams can still potentially play finals in 2022. 

A low-scoring affair at a bitterly cold Bennettswood Reserve has seen North Brunswick beat Emmaus St Leo’s by just five points. It was all Bulls for pretty much most of the day as they got out of the blocks and kept the home side scoreless for the first quarter, before the Animals got on the board in the second. It was in the third term that North Brunswick set the scene, and despite zero inside 50s in the final term and a late rally from Emmaus St Leo’s, the away side held on to get their fourth win of the season. Jonathan Greensides (3) was the Animals’ best, with Leiwyn Jones, Kieren Jenkins and Nathan Bird their other goalkickers. For the Bulls, Joseph Flynn kicked two majors, but it was Harry Wilson who took top honours. 

A Justin Raiti masterclass has seen Hawthorn knock off ladder-leader South Melbourne Districts by two points at Lindsay Hassett Oval, despite wasteful opportunities in front of goal. A tight tussle all day saw the margin fail to get higher than ten points at the breaks, with the Hawks on top early. It would remain the story for the game, with the Bloods unable to get their noses in front. Justin Raiti kicked four of Hawthorn’s five goals, with William Meehan their other goalkicker, and James Betlehem their best. For South Melbourne Districts, the divisional goalkicker Oliver Dufficy was kept goalless, but in his absence, his brother Michael Dufficy kicked two, and Scott Moran was best-on. 

Eleven individual-goalkickers has seen Richmond Central take down a tough Westbourne Grammarians side by 74 points at Westbourne Grammar. The Warriors kept the door slightly ajar for the better part of the game, scoring consistently to be in it, but it was the eight-goal final term that sealed the deal for the Snakes. For the away side, Jack Bilson (5), Damien Holland (3), Dane Roy (3), Justin Perillo (2), and Jordan Miller (2) were Richmond Central’s multiple-goalscorers, but it was Stephen Dodd (1) who took top honours. Benjamin Hodge was the Westbourne Grammarians’ best, while Jordan Doyle (4), Ali Eqbal (2), and Maxmillian Gallo Paspa (2) were the targets in the forward line. 

Canterbury’s expert unbeaten run has come to an end at Canterbury Sportsground, at the hands of Parkside, who left the field 20-point winners. With both sides sharing the goalkicking load, it’s no surprise it was an arm wrestle for much of the game. There was one point in it at the start of the third term before the Red Devils increased the buffer to two goals at the final break, before kicking four majors to seal it in the last. For the Cobras, Thomas Lowden (2) and Mark Collins (2) contributed in front of goal, but it was Michael Topp on top of the best player’s list. Isaac Romano, Lewis Balcombe and Cody Lawson all kicked two each for Parkside, while Michael Romano was best-on.

For the second week in a row, the Westbourne Grammarians will stay home at Westbourne Grammar and take on Emmaus St Leo’s. The Animals will be on the hunt for a big win after a pretty dismal middle half of the year, while the Warriors might fancy their chances after a competitive round thirteen. 

Kevin Bartlett Reserve will be home to the battle between Richmond Central and Canterbury, with the Cobras no doubt looking for redemption. For the Snakes, they’ll look to consolidate their round thirteen win. 

Both Parkside and North Brunswick notched wins in their last games so Pitcher Park is the destination for a heated clash between two teams eager to continue good form. 

Elsternwick return from their bye to a tough ask, travelling to Rathmines Road Reserve to face an arguably in-form Hawthorn outfit. The year has been a rollercoaster and both sides will be looking to this game as a steadier. 

South Melbourne Districts have their second bye of the year, timed well enough to give them the opportunity to assess the last part of the season after their round thirteen loss.