Albert Park stuns Masala as Bulls and Demons secure quality wins

Billy Bolch

The first game of round 8 in Division 4 Men’s saw Albert Park take on Masala in what was a very competitive clash. The first quarter saw the Falcons apply instant pressure on the Tigers with a 4-goal to 1 quarter (which included 12 scoring shots to 3). The Falcons took a 24-point lead over the Tigers into the first break. The second term saw Masala make their way back into the game with a 2-goal quarter which helped reduce the lead to 13 points at halftime.

The third quarter was all about converting opportunities. While Masala had 8 scoring shots to the Falcons’ 5, it was the Falcons that were able to convert with 3 goals to only 1 Masala goal. The Falcons extended their lead out to 20 points. The final quarter was a nail-biter as Masala were able to fight back kicking 3 of the last 4 goals. However, the Falcons were able to hold off kicking the final 2 goals of the game and securing their most important win of the season so far with a 15-point win.

Reece French-Lightfoot and Christopher Marson had 3 majors each for the Falcons whilst Ashley Evans had 2 goals of his own. Goal kickers for Masala included Tom Williamson (2), Zac Pahos and Luke Broomhall. Among the best for the Falcons were Jack Aimes, Alistair Lupo and Felix Metx. Amongst the best for Masala were Deakin Harris, Flynn Cassar and Jordan Gibbon. Albert Park will look to continue their winning ways when they face Eley Park whilst Masala will look to get back into the winners’ column, but standing in their way will be a Box Hill North side that took them to the final siren in their last clash.

The second game of the round saw league leaders North Brunswick take on Eley Park. The Bulls got ahead early kicking 3 goals in the first whilst keeping the Sharks goalless to hold an 18-point lead at quarter time. The Sharks kept the pressure on in the second quarter keeping the Bulls to only another 3 goals whilst kicking a goal themselves to keep the Bulls only 31 points ahead with a half of football to play.

The Bulls, however, came out rampaging in the third with a mammoth 10-goal quarter which saw their lead extended to 89 points with 25 minutes of football to be played. In the final quarter, the Sharks were once again able to slow the breaks on a Bulls breakaway only allowing 3 goals, however, in the end, it was the Bulls that once again proved why they are on the top of a ladder with a 110-point victory (their third win by a margin of 90+).

Jareth Ombia and Andrew Ramzy both slotted 4 goals for the Bulls whilst Simon Woodward and Jarrod Mcdonald contributed 3 and 2 goals respectively. For the Sharks, Aaron Williams was the team’s lone goalkicker. Among the best for the Bulls were Zac Dicianni, Simon Woodward and Marcus Watt. Amongst the best for the Sharks were Zachary Hayes, Angus Fowler and Ryan Szigeti. The Bulls will next Face St Johns which will be the first away game for the Bulls since Round 4. The Sharks will face another tough matchup against a Falcons side that just defeated a top 2 side in Masala.

The final game of the round saw St Johns take on Box Hill North in a clash that went right down to the last quarter; a contest that was made tougher because of the previous nights’ rain. Both teams had a slow first quarter as they both tried to get a read on one another’s game plan. However, with more scoring shots, it was the Demons that got a narrow advantage with a 3-point lead at quarter time. St John’s were able to make their way back into the game with a 3-goal quarter. The Demons were able to kick 2 goals of their own, however, gave up the lead, seeing themselves down by 1 point with a half of football to play.

The third quarter saw both teams struggle to turn their opportunities into goals with only 1 goal for the quarter between the two sides despite 7 scoring shots. The goal however was a Demons goal that allowed them to take a 1-point lead heading into the final quarter. The final quarter saw the Demons run away with the match pilling on 4 goals whilst only allowing a single goal from the JOCS. The Demons secured a very important 24-point win, closing the gap on Masala in the process.

Benjamin Ayache kicked 2 goals for the JOCS whilst Matthew De Poilly and Kailum Newland also contributed with goals of their own. For the Demons, Joshua Chivers led the way with 3 goals and teammate Joshua Hocking kicked 2. Amongst the best for the JOCS were Corey Ely, Vaughan Savage and Nicholas Terrill. Amongst the best for the Demons were Sam Kenna, Blake Williams and Jack Dullard. The JOCS will next face a big task in the form of league leaders North Brunswick. Box Hill North will now face Masala in what should be the match of the round.