Division 3 Men’s top 4 is set, but far from settled

Sheridan Harris

Like all good things, the home and away season of Division 3 Men’s must come to an end this weekend, and it could haven’t been scripted any better after the events of round seventeen.

The penultimate episode of Canterbury’s season saw them surpass the 250 points mark against a Westbourne Grammarians side admirably crawling to the line, while Emmaus St Leo’s suffered another heartbreakingly close loss despite once again leading at the start of the fourth quarter. 

The top four has been settled, with Canterbury, South Melbourne Districts, Elsternwick and Parkside all into the finals for 2022. But where the first three teams land is still up in the air. 

Canterbury’s eleven-goal first term was arguably all the nails in the coffin as they ran way eventual 224-point winners against the Westbourne Grammarians at Canterbury Sportsground. Unfortunately for the Warriors, the game was pretty much over as soon as it started despite getting three of their own majors on the board in the first quarter, before the Cobras put their foot down to take an already insurmountable lead into the main break. The rest of the game followed suit, though two goals and limiting their opponents to just seven goals in the final term gave the away side something to at least grin about. Valiant in defeat was Jordan Doyle (3), and Ben Stoios who took top honours. For the home side, Ryan Murray (10) and half the rest of the team got their chance in front of goal, but Jordan Dear (11) was named best-on. 

South Melbourne Districts have beaten North Brunswick by 41 points at a weather-affected Allard Park to keep their top 2 hopes alive. The Bloods were up early, kicking five goals in the first term to take a 26-point buffer into quarter time break, before they kicked another four in the second quarter. The Bulls weren’t able to gain their footing at all, finishing the game with just three goals on the board, as Archie Bissinella, Jake Horwood, and Joseph Flynn were the only goalkickers. For South Melbourne Districts, Oliver Dufficy (3) and Jack Cotton (2) were the only multiple-goalkickers, but Samuel McGinn, David Commins, George Dixon and Scott Moran all kicked one each, with the latter topping the list of best players for his side. 

Holmes Todd Oval was not the destination for the fainthearted as Elsternwick got over the top of Emmaus St Leo’s by just two points. The lead changed all day, with the Animals taking a slim two-point buffer into the first break before the Wickers flipped the script to lead by six at half-time. Four goals to one in the third quarter gave Emmaus St Leo’s some breathing space but ultimately it wasn’t enough as they let another lead slip through their fingers, with Elsternwick’s ball movement too good. Matt Hill (2) and Lawrence Virgo (2) all gave the Animals a chance, as did their captain Harry Davis (3). For the home side, Matt Ball (4) and Daniel Marchese (2) both got enough chances in front of goal, but David Convery’s two goals got him best-on for his efforts. 

Parkside have sealed the finals chances well and truly with a 54-point win over Richmond Central at Pitcher Park. It was an unfortunate end to the Snakes’ season, who seemed unable to take their chances in front of goal early in the game, taking a four-goal deficit into the first break. The footy gods were well on the Red Devils’ side it seemed, as the home side continued to put space between them and their opponents, before finally kicked four goals in the final term to take the win. Parkside had nine individual goalkickers, including Isaac Romano (2), Jackson Hubbard (2) and Lewis Balcombe (2), but it was Matthew Holden who took top honours. For Richmond Central, Jack Bilson kicked three and Damien one, with Benjamin Krieger his side’s best player. 

The final round of the year sets up a mouth-watering clash between first and second that decides very much of how the top four will look. Canterbury travels to Lindsay Hassett Oval to take on South Melbourne Districts, with both teams looking to avoid any chance of finishing third. 

Elsternwick will welcome North Brunswick to Holmes Todd Oval, eager to get their hands on a top-2 spot. A win against the Bulls will see the Wickers reliant on the result of another game to see where they finish the season. 

Hawthorn at Rathmines Road Reserve awaits Emmaus St Leo’s, whose second half of the season has left much to be desired. The Animals will be looking to get one last win on the board in their last game of the year, with every chance they could finish fifth on the ladder, while the Hawks return from their bye with the same intentions. 

With finals already locked in, Parkside will head to Westbourne Grammar to take on the Westbourne Grammarians. It’s been quite the unfortunate season for the Warriors, but the Red Devils have peaked at just the right time. 

Richmond Central have the last bye, meaning they have played their last game for the year.