Old Yarra Cobras get on the board in a round of upsets

The Division 1 Men’s competition had a massive shake-up in Round 9 with three upset victories on the weekend. The effects of the bye round last week have made the race to the top four intriguing and hopefully we can expect more to come in the second half of the season.

Ormond defeated the Old Peninsula Pirates by 26 points in a close affair. The Monders’ ball movement by hand in the middle of the ground set the tone for a free flowing game. The Ormond midfield stood up early with Jackson Hille doing the grunt work inside to give it out to the likes of Rhys Kennedy who looked dangerous when delivering the ball inside 50. Lachlan Crnogorac was one of the receivers and certainly made most of his opportunities kicking five goals.

Meanwhile, a scuffle between both teams on the half-time siren seemed to have fired up the Pirates who knew they needed to be bold if they were to have any chance in drawing back the 25-point deficit. The defence of the Pirates was superb in the third quarter as Killian Doyle and Jake Lovett were great in the aerial battle and the aggressive ball use from Jake Williams helped their side put four goals on the bounce. A freakish goal from the boundary by Bailey Payze tied the scores up at three-quarter time and instilled belief in the Pirates.

The Monders were under the pump with a goalless third term but found a way just like good teams do. The domination in possession and territory in the last term proved too much for Old Peninsula as Harrison Burt finished the job with a classy goal from long range.

The Old Yarra Cobras are off the mark, earning their first win of the season over Preston Bullants by 30 points. Coming off the bye the Old Yarra Cobras were wanting to build on their competitive last couple weeks and were off to a flyer. The Cobras were on top in the midfield, putting some needed attention Preston Bullants midfielder Sean Calcedo to get on top in the contest. The likes of David Tokatliyan and Anthony Raso were extremely efficient in front of goal, resulting in a 3-goal lead at quarter-time.

The midfield of the Old Yarra Cobras played a great game around the contest and provided elite defensive pressure which pleased Old Yarra Cobras coach Nathan Monaco. Leaders Nicholas Zappala and Tom Bell stepped up against a strong Preston Bullants engine room. The Old Yarra Cobras were a step ahead for the majority of the match defending well against a strong breeze in the last quarter to come out trumps. A victory at the half way mark of the season will give them a spring in their step as they head for the home straight.

The Kew Bears made a statement defeating UHS-VU by 9 points, to serve the Vultures their first loss of the season. The Bears understood the gravity of the game needing a scalp to get themselves back into the top four discussions and certainly achieved it. The Bears dominated through the middle of the ground as Max Polettit took it up to the big-bodied Vulture midfield. The dash from Irishman Richard Hughes was too hard for the Vultures to defend, giving the Bears forwards one-on-one contests which helped the Bears kick six goals straight in the first quarter and put some scoreboard pressure on UHS.

The Bears were full of confidence in all facets of their game as they continued to kick away in the third-quarter. For most of the day, the Vultures struggled to put enough pressure in their forward half which resulted in the Bears being able to exit comfortably. Vultures defenders Fraser Campbell and James Gilfillan did well, given the quality of the ball coming into defence as Ned Waters and William Llewelyn contributed again. In the last term the Vultures kicked four goals in a row to give them some life but it was too late.

Another big upset was at Ransford Oval where the West Brunswick Magpies defeated the Parkside Devils by 6 points. From the outset the Magpies midfield dominated the Devils in the contest with Ben Ablett having an outstanding game but it was the ball movement from the likes of Steven Logozzo which gave the Devils a minor lead at half-time. The Magpies continued their domination in the stoppages and in the second half began to dominate aerially with ruckman Max Risstrom having a huge game.

With a 9-point lead at three-quarter time Brunswick knew the Parkside midfield would be a threat with the likes of Benedict Douglas in good form but an important goal by Magpies forward Thomas Zafiropoulos steadied the ship and helped them get their most impressive win of the season.

Prahran continued their great run of form defeating the Therry Penola Lions by 71 points. It was an even game in the first half with both teams attempting to gel better after the bye round. Therry Penola were competitive in the first half trailing by only 9 points but after half-time the game opened up giving Prahran more space in their forward 50.

It was a tough second half for Therry Penola and a challenge in managing Prahran’s Matt Clifford, who was a standout kicking six goals for the game and is proving a tough matchup for opponents this season. An eight goal to one third term removed any chance of another upset for the round as Prahran moves to second on the ladder.

Round 10 entails season defining matches and opportunities for young sides to disrupt the race for the top four.

Therry Penola is back at home as they take on Ormond. Efficiency inside 50 and scoreboard pressure for Therry Penola will be crucial against a team who can punish when given the chance. Aidan Soria continues to be clinical in front of goal this season kicking two goals against the Pirates and will prove a tough matchup this weekend.

Old Peninsula play the Preston Bullants in what is a must-win game for both teams. Both sides have a great core group but at times this year their depth has been tested. The team that prevails will have a whole team effort this weekend.

West Brunswick host Kew at Ransford Oval this weekend. The battle between the two midfields will be intriguing as the Bears form in the past fortnight has been strong.

The game of the round will be a top four clash between Parkside and the UHS-VU at Pitcher Park. Both teams will be looking to respond after disappointing losses.

The Old Yarra Cobras have another challenge against a well-drilled Prahran side. If the Old Yarra Cobras played the way they did against the Preston Bullants and play a four-quarter effort they will be in with a shot.