Div 3’s top six split by just one game after a competitive Round 5

Callum Farquhar

The Division 3 Senior competition is evenly poised after five rounds of footy, with just one game separating first to sixth on the ladder. Any team can push for a finals spot though, as competitive efforts from bottom sides indicate the tide could be turning.

Power House resumed where they had left off, romping home to the tune of an 89-point victory against Richmond Central. Power House were impressive defensively, keeping the Snakes to just three behinds at halftime. The Snakes could never constrict Power House’s scoring throughout the match, ultimately losing their home game 29-118.

Benjamin Circosta was impressive for Power House, kicking three goals and getting the nod for best on ground. Charlie Officer, Joseph Halloran and Rob Dyer were also among Power House’s best.

Richmond Central’s focus will go to their match against Albert Park next week, in a game that presents with serious loser-goes-home energy. A potential 1-4 start could have the Snakes finals chances on the ropes.

La Trobe University has survived a gutsy display from Chadstone, winning by just nine points. Chadstone, who have shown glimpses of quality throughout the season, brought their most consistent performance to the LTU Oval on Saturday.

A back-and-forth affair, the game was poised for an epic as La Trobe led by two points at the half. Ten minutes into the third quarter, the Synners snatched the lead, however a goal by Andrew Castles three minutes later swung the game back to La Trobe.

With a 14-point deficit at three-quarter-time, goals from Briaden Leong and James Veal roared Chadstone towards its first potential Senior win in eight years. However, La Trobe remained steadfast, as Tate Spiteri kicked the eventual sealer.

Lachlan Webb and Connor McCredden were best on for La Trobe as they sit solidly at 3-1 for the year.

Lachie Dowsett (4) and Ben Ogilvie (3) stuffed the stat sheet for Chadstone, combining for seven goals. A genuine opportunity beckons for the Synners to get on the board against Eley Park in Round 6.

Swinburne University continued their dominant form, crushing Eley Park by 109 points. A seven goal to one opening term set the tone for a dominant Swinburne display, as the Sharks couldn’t get a hold of the Razorbacks attack.

Eley Park had no match for the three-pronged forward line of the Razorbacks, as Nick Ferguson (7), Salvatore Amenta (5), and Jason Hawker (4), linked for 16 goals.

Aaron Williams, Matt Gallagher and Zac Hayes played defiantly for the Sharks, earning best on ground votes. Sehath Alwis also impressed in a Seniors debut.

In a blockbuster match, Swinburne will face its rival collegiate side La Trobe next week, aiming to stake its claim against old foe.

St John’s has claimed first on the ladder after an 87-point thumping of Box Hill North. The JOC’s burst out the gates early, however an 11-goal premiership quarter is what propelled them to another dominant win.

Michael Ashman kicked a bag of six, as Timothy Werner’s four placed him best on ground. St John’s now head into the bye with supreme confidence at 4-1, their only loss coming by a mere seven points.

Beau Parthenides, Joshua Hocking and Thomas Francis were best on for the Demons as they move to 0-5 for the season.

After kicking the first four goals of the game, Canterbury has toughed out a 15-point win over Albert Park. The Cobras struck the scoreboard quickly, leading 27-2 late in the first quarter.

However, a defiant Albert Park wrestled their way back into the contest. Three straight goals in the third term rewarded the Falcons with the lead, however Canterbury responded with four of their own.

Canterbury’s lead would become insurmountable for the Falcons, as the Cobras did enough to hold on for a gritty victory.

Falcons forward Jack Lee kicked five, joining Cambell Franceschi and Henry Olive in the best. Captain James Boarotto was best on for Canterbury, along with Mitch Szabo and Michael Topp.

Heading into Round 6, it’s impossible to choose the best upcoming match. There is season-defining significance in every game, with the potential for each one to come down to the final kick.

Eley Park open the round by hosting Chadstone in a game that will be played with desperation and a sense of pride. Chadstone are chomping at the bit for their first win, whilst the Sharks are determined to turn the corner after consecutive triple-figure defeats.

La Trobe face Swinburne in a matchup of esteemed rivalry. Not only is their history noteworthy, but the fact that both teams sit just a game off the top of the ladder highlights the magnitude of this match.

The magnitude of Round 6 doesn’t stop there though, as North Brunswick take on Power House. The two undefeated sides of Division 3, this match is impossible to predict. North Brunswick fresh off a bye, Power House in unstoppable form. This game will be cinema.

Richmond Central play Albert Park in a crucial do-or-die clash. Either club could slip to four losses and leave their finals chances hanging in the balance. Expect another game of high intensity and desperation.

Box Hill North travel to Canterbury to close out the round, as the Demons look to secure their first win against a tough Cobras outfit. St John’s have the bye in Round 6.