Close Games Galore as we move on to chapter 2: Momentum

Billy Bolch

Round 2 saw more even football across Division 4 Men’s. Three matches provided excitement and entertainment, with three winners adding wins to their record early but three losers who will need to regroup to turn the corner as they face tough tests next up.

The Falcons and Demons battled in a high-scoring affair, the Bulls and the Tigers battled in a very tough low scoring affair and St Johns and Sharks both looked to get their first win of the season.

The first match of the round saw the Albert Park Falcons face Box Hill North in what was set to be an unpredictable game. Both teams started incredibly strong with a combined seven goals for the quarter, yet it was the Falcons who held a small four-point lead heading into the second quarter. The Falcons then played the second on their term quite convincingly with a six-goal quarter to extend their lead out to 24 heading into the major break.

The Demons were able to turn up the heat in the third quarter as they kept the Falcons goalless whilst adding four goals of their own to take a one-point lead with one exciting quarter of football left to play. The Falcons turned on the jets in the 4th and flew away with the game with a four-goal to one final quarter where they completely captured the momentum of the game with both hands to fly away with a 20-point win, their first for the season.

After a great 2022 campaign, Jack Lee kicked off his season in incredible fashion with five majors, an effort also replicated by teammate Ashley Evans. For the Demons Mitch Lorkin had three snags whilst teammates Thomas Cheslett and Samuel Roberts had two goals each. The best for the Falcons were Zachary Freeman, Ethan Lockyer and Alexander Evans. The best for the Demons were Kristian Smythe, Mitch Lorkin and Rowan Lawrence.

Albert Park will now make the trip down to Dandenong North to take on the Tigers, a team that they had great battles with, in 2022. Box Hill North will look to rebound from this loss as they host St Johns in what is a big match for both sides.

The second game of the round saw top sides clash as North Brunswick faced off against Masala. The first quarter saw a very fast yet fairly low scoring 25 minutes of footy between the two sides. Whilst speed was the style of the quarter, it was the Bulls that held a small 14-point lead heading into the first break. The second quarter saw Masala gain a bit of momentum winning the quarter two goals to one and reducing the lead to eight points as they went into the major break.

The third quarter saw another fairly competitive quarter between both sides. Although the Bulls had six scoring shots to the two of the Tigers for the quarter, both teams were only able to kick two goals. As the siren sounded to end the third quarter it was the Bulls that had extended their lead out to 12 points after an intense quarter of football. The chapter of the round is momentum and the Bulls were able to demonstrate that in the fourth with three goals to Masala’s one, turning the game fully in their favour and in the process leaving with a 23-point win in an intense match.

Adam Tsardakis, Samuel Watt and Luke Rositani were amongst the best for the Bulls whilst the best for the Tigers were Jake Dunkley, Luke Pipolo and Jordan Gibbon. Jake Horwood and Jareth Ombia both kicked two majors for the Bulls. Sean Downes had the most goals on the day with 3 for Masala whilst teammate Brandon Kelly kicked 2.

North Brunswick will look to continue their winning ways as they now play host to Eley Park where they will look to add another win to the board. Masala will look to get back to their winning ways as they host Albert Park in round three.

The final game of the round saw Eley Park and St Johns clash in a matchup with both sides wanting to get a win on their record. The JOCs found themselves gaining all the momentum early after a mammoth six-goal first quarter to take an 18-point lead heading into quarter time. The second quarter saw both teams slow down a little bit with the Sharks kicking one goal to the JOCs’ two. This small advantage saw the JOCs have their lead extended to 21 points heading into the major break.

The third quarter saw the defence of both sides pick up with another low-scoring quarter as both teams only managed a goal. Heading into the final quarter with a 23-point lead it was the JOCs’ game to lose. Both teams showed some of their best in the final quarter with both teams kicking four goals each. In the end, it was the JOCs that were able to maintain their lead, defeating the Sharks by 22 points.

Shannon Blewitt, Andrew Yeo and Alex Penkethman were amongst the best for the Sharks. The best in the win for St Johns include Nicholas Terrill, Brendan Ash and Ethan Hope. Alex Penkethman slotted three majors for the Sharks and teammates Ben Field and Kane Scanlon kick two goals each. Matt Kirkpatrick was the leading goal kicker for the JOCs with three majors. Nicholas Terrill, Kailum Newland and Michael Horton all kicked two goals each.

Eley Park will now face another tough task as they make the trip away to take on North Brunswick. St Johns will face Box Hill North in what will be a good test and measuring point for both sides.