Upsets shake the Div 3 ladder, as Bulls and Cobras continue to dominate

Three underdog victories highlight a stunning weekend of Division 3 action, as all teams head into the King’s Birthday bye with plenty to analyse.

Any team can win on any given day, and that was emphasised through the gritty low-scoring victory by Albert Park over La Trobe University. Sitting eighth leading into this match, the Falcons were clear underdogs as they travelled out to La Trobe’s home fortress. However, the Falcons jumped La Trobe at the start, and never gave way in a defiant victory that breathes life back into their season.

Albert Park head into the first break with a 14-point lead, but La Trobe fought tooth-and-nail to work their way back, as the Falcons clung to a three-quarter-time margin of four points.

As wet conditions waterlogged the football, scoring became rare for either side. Inaccuracy and a slippery football meant no goals were scored in the last quarter, the Falcons holding on by seven.

La Trobe’s “disappointing” performance sees them drop to seventh on the ladder, and two wins outside the top five.

“They got the jump on us early with the breeze, and then it rained and made the game a slog,” La Trobe coach Andy Castles said.

“[We] had the momentum in the last quarter but couldn’t get any quality entries with the wet ball.”

Albert Park sits two wins from a finals position, as Alby Evans, Bryce Aggiss and Felix Metz were best on.

Canterbury have annihilated Eley Park by a whopping 213 points, as their impressive run of form continues. The Cobras opened the match with 11 first-quarter goals to zero, but their defence was equally as remarkable, constricting the Sharks to just three behinds at halftime.

Canterbury continued to pile on the goals in the second half, strolling to a victory of 39.13 (247) to 4.10 (34).

Tom Lowden (10) and Jayden Cutts (8) combined for a dazzling 18 goals, earning them best-on-ground nominations.

Ben Field and Joel Kennedy were amongst Eley Park’s best, as a stoic Andrew Davies and Thomas Johnston found the scoreboard.

After a second consecutive 200-point drubbing, Eley Park have time to regroup, embracing a double-bye that includes the King’s Birthday weekend and Round 9.

In a mouthwatering clash, St John’s stunned Power House at their home turf, rebounding after a heartbreaking loss to Canterbury last week.

The JOC’s were down by 15 early on, but three straight goals by Matthew Carnelley gave St John’s a slim three-point advantage at quarter-time.

Six goals to zero erased the JOC’s slow-start in the second term, as Power House looked unrecognisable, struggling with goal accuracy in the third term. Ultimately, St John’s motored away to a 55-point win.

St John’s coach Tim Edwards was “really proud” of his side’s performance.

“I asked for a response after we were really flat the week before and they gave me that,” Edwards said.

“I think we have shown patches of what we can do so far this year but yesterday was a more complete game from us. We needed a scalp for our own belief… and getting a good win on the road will do wonders for our confidence.”

Corey Ely and Callum Houghton were St John’s best performers, as Matthew Carnelley snagged six majors.

Tyler Ames and Scott Shier were excellent for Power House despite the loss. They have the chance to bounce back after the bye week against the winless Box Hill North.

North Brunswick are effectively two games clear on top of the table after their 145-point smashing of Box Hill North. A seven-goal opening term set the tone, however the Bulls were slightly held back in a defiant second quarter from the Demons, where they only managed one major.

The floodgates burst open in the third, the Bulls rampaging with a 10-goal effort. A scoreless final term for the Demons added salt to the wound as North Brunswick ran out winners, 24.16 (160) to 2.3 (15).

Fletcher Banfield, Oliver Widdicombe were best on for the Bulls as Daniel Rafferty and Luke Russell kicked four each.

Still winless after eight rounds, the Demons will aim to recharge over the King’s Birthday bye.

Richmond Central have kept their season alive in an enthralling 22-point win over Swinburne University. Heading into the match in seventh place, this match was a must-win for the Snakes’ season. As expected, the game was a gritty, doggedly fought contest.

Swinburne opened with a quarter-time lead of four after a back-and-forth first term. The Snakes snatched the lead back within 13 seconds of the second quarter, before an 18-minute goalless period ensued. Swinburne’s Aidan Vesty kicked a late goal that tightened the score at halftime, the Snakes leading by seven.

Slowly but surely though, the game opened up for Richmond Central. A high-scoring final term assisted them in securing their fourth win of the season, as they close in on a finals position.

Jack Bilson’s four goals earned him BOG honours for Richmond Central, as Jason Hawker was Swinburne’s best in the midfield.

All clubs now have a bye, with focus on the following Round 9 fixture.

Chadstone host St John’s, Albert Park look to upset the unbeaten North Brunswick, and Box Hill North accommodate Power House.

La Trobe and Richmond Central will do battle in Round 9’s most eye-catching match-up. La Trobe’s three-game losing streak has upended their start to the season, and both clubs sit on the brink of a top-five spot.

Another intriguing clash of Canterbury versus Swinburne closes out the round. Eley Park have the bye.