Follow the leader in Division One

Josh Heriot

As we embark on the final four rounds of the division one season, Old Camberwell and Prahran Assumption continue to make a case for a top four finish. Both teams were victorious last weekend in close games with every game now holding a wealth of importance. 

Old Camberwell will this weekend face Oakleigh who currently sit fourth on the ladder. It’s tipped to be one of the games of the round with both sides fighting to edge clear into the top four. Oakleigh were pipped in an absolute nail-biter last weekend against Prahran Assumption with only three points splitting the two sides as the final siren sounded. Old Camberwell found themselves on the winners list last round against Glen Eira. Their 10-point victory was led by James Allen and Andrew Parker, both standout performers with each kicking two goals. If last weekend is anything to go by than this Saturday’s clash between fourth and fifth will be another fierce and uncompromising contest. 

Meanwhile Prahran Assumption will play St Mary’s Salesian out at Toorak Park. A win for Assumption will see them continue in the race for finals and will tighten things up for teams fighting for fourth spot. That fight currently see’s them up against Oakleigh and Old Camberwell who play each other. On the other side of the equation the winless St Mary’s are still searching for that elusive victory in season 2022. It’s been a tough year for St Mary’s, but can they find the strength to possibly cause an upset in the final four rounds? A win for St Mary’s this weekend would derail the finals hopes of Prahran Assumption.

Ladder leaders PEGS will travel out to Whitefriars College on Saturday with the hope of sustaining their dominance on the competition. PEGS have dropped just one game in season 2022 which came in round seven and since then have won their past eight matches. Jack Fenner and Riley Simmons were again outstanding last weekend with Fenner booting four goals and Simmons with five majors in a best on ground performance. Will Whitefriars however, be able to knock off the standout team in 2022 come Saturday? 

Round 15 will see Old Peninsula face Therry Penola. Old Peninsula currently sit ninth on the division one ladder on level points with Whitefriars. Both teams will be fighting relegation in the final four rounds and a win to Old Peninsula would see them on equal points with Therry Penola. Both sides have come off the back of tough losses last round and will be looking to bounce back to stay out of the bottom two. Last time these two sides met, it was Old Peninsula who claimed bragging rights with a huge 103-point win but since then Therry Penola have shown they can be a competitive side. With both teams having similar form lines this season, it makes for a fascinating clash. 

The final match of the round heads to Packer Park where Glen Eira (third) will go head-to-head with Kew (second). These two sides last met in round 9 with the margin at each break being no less than four points. Kew came away with a two-point win, but their last clash suggests that this will again be another tight tussle. Kew will be looking to jump PEGS for top spot on the ladder with both teams sitting on 12 wins. The Glen Eira attack will be spear-headed by Jack Carey and Alex Erwin-Ross who have been vital performers for the Gryphons this season. 

Round 15 is set to be tight and unpredictable with each game having impacts on the ladder at both ends and it certainly sets up for plenty of exciting matches.