Ormond win a back-and-forth nailbiter and Oakleigh keep their finals hopes alive

Round 17 of Division 1 Men’s produced what was undoubtedly the match of the season as ladder leaders Ormond survived a scare from Kew in a goal for goal final quarter, whilst Oakleigh are still in the hunt for finals after an impressive victory against second-placed Old Peninsula.

Kew’s top two hopes have significantly diminished after going down to Ormond by 4 points in a truly exciting game of footy at E.E. Gunn Reserve.

The Bears had their opportunities in the first quarter but couldn’t always convert in front of goal. Nonetheless, Kew led by 8-points at quarter-time but had their momentum halted in the second term as Ormond worked the footy inside 50 and played efficiently along all lines of the ground.

Kew trailed by a very gettable 11-points at half-time and came out firing in the third term with two early goals. The rest of the quarter played out with alternating goals between the two sides as not very much separated the teams on both the scoreboard and key performance indicators, ultimately giving Ormond a narrow 3-point lead going into the final term.

In what transpired to be a must-watch fourth quarter, this game continued to be one of goal for goal footy with each side quickly finding the goals after the other side scored. Despite some last-ditch efforts from Kew, it was the Monders who successfully navigated the dying stages to continue their undefeated streak in season 2025.

Sam Thomson was an important player for Kew with four goals going his way, whilst Aaron Taylor, Kai Seeto-Grossi and Harrison Ross were amongst the best players for the victorious Ormond.

It was not so close at Brens Oval where UHS-VU recorded a massive 94-point win over Therry Penola.

The first quarter was relatively low-scoring as neither side managed to grip a major hold of the game, with a late goal to Therry Penola’s Jarrod Egglestone keeping the Lions firmly in this contest as the Vultures led by just 12-points at quarter-time.

Unfortunately for the Lions, that was all she wrote as the Vultures put their foot down and piled on the pain from there. The Vultures lead blew out to 33 and 85 points at half-time and three quarter-time, respectively, as the Vultures time and time again transitioned the footy with ease as they found plenty of scoring opportunities.

UHS got over the line comfortably to claim their eighth win of 2025 and send a warning to the rest of the competition that their best footy can compete with the top sides in 2026 as they look

to return to finals after a slow start this year. Brandon Jackson once again starred for UHS with five goals to his name.

Oakleigh’s top four hopes are alive and thriving after a somewhat unexpected 45-point victory over Old Peninsula. Whilst the Pirates are higher on the ladder, an Oakleigh win was always on the cards given they had a top four spot on the line.

The first half was incredibly competitive with both sides showing their intent to do damage and claim the four points. It was hard to get a read of which side was further ahead.

It was in the third quarter that the game opened up as the Krushers dominated the middle part of that quarter to be leading by a valuable 18-points at three-quarter time. Ultimately, it was the Krushers who sustained a four-quarter effort as the home side booted another five goals in the fourth and restricted the Pirates to just one goal.

This win is crucial for Oakleigh who can still qualify for finals. If the Krushers win next week and fourth-placed Preston Bullants lose, then Oakleigh will make it. But should Preston win, then it will be season over for Oakleigh regardless of how they perform.

Rogan Kitts and Luke Ashen were pivotal in Oakleigh’s success with six and four goals, respectively.

The Monash Blues have locked up their Division 1 spot next season with a convincing 58-point victory over Elsternwick.

It was all the Blues in the first term with ten scoring opportunities to two, but inaccuracy cost Monash who could’ve been much further ahead, but nonetheless would be pleased with a 23-point buffer at quarter-time.

Elsternwick improved in the second quarter to bring the margin back to 15-points but were put away in the third term as the Blues were too strong across all areas of the ground, and ultimately, the Wicks 38-point deficit at three quarter-time was too much to reduce.

Oliver Armstrong starred with three goals for the Blues, whilst Damien Hookway, Dylan Jones and Paul Sanderson were some of Elsternwick’s best players.

The Preston Bullants got back on the winners list with a strong 48-point victory over Brunswick.

Brunswick set the pace early with two quick goals to start proceedings, but it was all Preston from there who dominated the rest of the first term with their midfielders and forwards linking up efficiently time and time again to give them a 19-point lead at quarter-time, but like a lot of games this weekend, could’ve been much further ahead with inaccuracy being costly.

The second quarter was similar with Brunswick having ad hoc periods of success but again being outplayed by Preston who were fighting to secure their finals spot.

The Bullants lead increased to 31-points at half-time, then to a massive 58-points at three quarter-time, by which stage it became clear that it would take a miracle for Brunswick to turn around. Whilst Brunswick deserve credit for winning the last term and not letting the margin blow out further, the Bullants were the better side and claimed the four points.

Preston’s Alex Johnston led from the front with five goals to his name, well supported by Adrian Gonnella with four of his own.

Round 17 answered a few questions about the future, with results from the weekend confirming that Therry Penola and Elsternwick will be relegated to Division 2 in 2026, whilst the results of Preston and Oakleigh’s Round 18 clashes will determine who gets fourth spot on the ladder.

Three games in Round 18 are of critical importance to the make-up of the ladder, the first being Kew (3rd) hosting Old Peninsula (2nd). Kew are one game and percentage behind the Pirates so require a significant percentage boosting win to take second spot and give themselves the double chance.

The Preston Bullants (4th) host UHS-VU (6th). The Vultures have been flying in the second half of the season and will be confident they have what it takes to knock off the Bullants. Preston’s finals hopes are in their hands – win, and they are in.

Oakleigh (5th) will meet the Monash Blues (8th). If the Krushers win, they will be relying on a Preston loss to give them a finals berth.

Elsewhere, Ormond (1st) will be looking to go through the home and away season undefeated when they play Brunswick (7th), and the two bottom sides Elsternwick (10th) and Therry Penola (9th) will look to finish their season on a positive note.