What will your Holmesglen story be?

Underdog Unicorns are raring for Top Four

The top four is shaping up. Brunswick, Parkside, South Melbourne Districts and Whitefriars all neck and neck, with the underdog Unicorns raring at the gate to snag a spot for themselves.

MHSOB put on a show on Saturday with an inspirational team effort against Whitefriars. In the first quarter the Friars played their classic footy, high pressure and disciplined with a 26 point lead, but the Unicorns had other things in mind. William Hellier, William Cardwell and Mitchell Wilson turned the tide by winning the in-and-under and placing pressure along the corridor. Opportunities for forwards came along with them, Matthew Pereira (4 goals) and Chris Tetaz (2 Goals) held the line, while William Suhr dominated the ground with four goals. Their skill with the footy only improved as the game prolonged, taking lead in the third and continuing to concert in the fourth.

The Unicorns are officially in-form with four wins in a row. Round 7 sees them home at the Woodfull-Miller Oval against the leaders of the pack Brunswick for what is bound to be an exhilarating battle for top four.

The Brunswick boys fix their crown as they re-start their winning streak and return to the top spot in the Division 2 Men’s ladder. Brunswick came out of the gate with thunder, setting a 36-point lead over St Mary’s Salesian by the end of the first quarter. Best and Fairest, Lewis White worked well behind the ball with the help of Ben Wilson’s flair. Josh Hedley, Nick Burgin and Gus Ross played their classic footy and it showed on the scoreboard. Hayden Parker (4 goals) and Thomas Wilson (2 goals) worked wonders in front of goal, Johnny Haddad was a monster for opportunity but couldn’t quite convert going 1.7. Tahj Haddock put in the work once again setting up well defensively and limiting any opportunity for Saint’s goals. Overall, another impressive performance for Brunswick with the combination of intensity, pressure and midfielders providing opportunity after opportunity. With a few accuracy-drills they’ll be sure to bring their classic brilliance to MHSOB in Round 7.

Old Paradians fans were all smiles after their first win in 2023. The Raiders played a promising brand of footy from the first quarter to the last and went home with their chins high because of a convincing 28-point win over Bulleen Templestowe. Harrison Colomer ran his laces off, won the in-and-under and forced heavy pressure on the Bullants. James King Struan Thomson and Thomas Philp spread their talent all over the ground and put their body on the line for inside fifties. Michael Boundy (4 Goals) made sure his expertise showed up on the scoreboard finishing with accuracy and style. With the Raiders finally making their mark on the division’s ladder, we’re excited to see what they have up their sleeve for weeks to come.

As a result of the Devil’s 5-point loss against the Bullants in round 5, the Old Yarra Cobras faced a ravenous Parkside in Round 6. A competitive first quarter saw the teams neck and neck, but the skill, ball movement and flair of familiar faces Jack Hamilton, Luciano Logozzo and Michael Romano put the pressure on the Cobras. The chemistry of the Parkside midfield is one for the ages and gives rise to golden goalkickers

Mitchell Lawson and Benedict Douglas. Not to mention Benjamin Radford who kicked the leather off his boots with an unstoppable 8 goals to his name. By the final siren, Parkside played all four quarters with expertise,

Round 6 Results

2023 DIVISION 2 MEN’S

GOALS: Brunswick: H. Parker 4, T. Wilson 2, A. Coverdale 1, J. Haddad 1, B. Wilson 1

St Mary’s Salesian: B. McNally 2, C. Tait 1, L. Russell 1, J. Elliston 1, N. Catherwood 1, H. Macmillan 1

BEST: Brunswick: A. Ross, N. Burgin, L. Bonney McKenzie, T. O’Farrell, B. Wilson, J. Hedley

St Mary’s Salesian: M. Herbert-Morgan, J. Mattiske, N. Catherwood, M. Flora, M. Healey, N. Evans hungry for the footy and those four points. They’ve proven to be a squad filled to the brim with talent, versatility, and shown to capitalise on their opportunities, coming home with a 51-point victory over the Cobras.

It’s been a world class two rounds for South Melbourne Districts, a win over the Friars in round 5, and a 19-point win over the ambitious Aquinas in Round 6. From the get-go there was nothing stopping the Swans. Jesse Andrew ripped up the field and the footy, Luke Money and Dominic Tesoriero were too slick and quick for the Bloods. Sam Bradford refused to miss in front of goal kicking six in a most convincing fashion, ultimately converting their hard-earned talent to the scoreboard. Overall, the Swans are looking high and mighty, a tough physical team with some height, flare, and the capacity for brilliance, they are most definitely to remain in the top four if they continue with more solid performances.

GOALS: South Melbourne Districts: S. Bradford 6, C. Wilson 2, J. Clifford 1, J. Brooker 1, S. Wilson 1, L. Sfetkidis 1, D. Stewart 1

Aquinas: H. Dwyer 4, L. Robb 4, D. Mc Mahon 2, L. Choucri 1

BEST: South Melbourne Districts: J. Andrew, L. Money, D. Barlow, D. Tesoriero, J. Clifford, T. Murphy

Aquinas: L. Robb, J. Glennie, H. Flack, H. Leigh, J. Clinton, J. Nicosia

GOALS: Old Paradians: M. Boundy 4, A. Cafari 1, M. Nolan 1, B. Healy 1, L. Gough 1, D. Comande 1

Bulleen Templestowe: N. Hamzovski 2, B. Wilson 2, A. Murphy 1, M. Moore 1

BEST: Old Paradians: H. Colomer, J. King, S. Thomson, T. Philp, D. Comande, D. Boundy

Bulleen Templestowe: M. Moore, J. Torouno, H. Mcclean, N. Hamzovski, D. Dakin, A.

Round 7 Tips

Mhsob

Cobras

South Melb Districtsv Bulleen Templestowe

GOALS: Mhsob: W. Suhr 4, M. Pereira 4, C. Tetaz 2, J. Lawson 1, N. Volk 1, L. Littore 1

D. Wood 2, J. Coates 2, M. Nitas 2, A. Jenkin 1, J. McKenzie 1, T. Di Carlo 1, N. Garratt 1

BEST: Mhsob: W. Hellier, W. Suhr, W. Cardwell, M. Wilson, P. Pirozek, A. Munukutla

Whitefriars: N. Garratt, N. Sealey, J. Coates, D. Massarotti, R. Turner, S. Kieseker

GOALS: Parkside: B. Radford 8, M. Lawson 3, B. Douglas 3, B. Salmon 2, M. Holden 1, M. Romano 1

Old Yarra Cobras: A. Raso 3, K. Margaritis 3, D. Tokatliyan 2, J. Hall 1, N. Sambevski 1

BEST: Parkside: J. Hamilton, B. Radford, L. Logozzo, M. Romano, M. Lawson

Old Yarra Cobras: N. Zappala, L. Mitchell, T. Bell, J. Bell, D. Tokatliyan, A. Cook

2023 DIVISION 2 RESERVE MEN’S

GOALS: Brunswick: A. Avraam 6, B. Daly 6, P. Scamporlino

Mary’s Salesian: N. Simcocks 1, J. Reeve 1, S. Matheson

L. Pearson

L. Turner

M. Mussa

C. Mitchell 1, D. Roberts 1, L. Boyack 1

R. Nuttall

BEST: Brunswick: A. Avraam, M. Dickson, P. Scamporlino, C. Mitchell, D. Heenan, B. Daly St Mary’s Salesian: F. Fennell, R. Nuttall, T. Coyle, A. Roddam, Z. MacDermid, T. Shaw

GOALS: South Melbourne Districts:

Aquinas: J. Robertson 2, J. Baxter 1, D. Pelosi 1, A. Reichart 1, D. Malvaso 1

BEST: South Melbourne Districts:

Aquinas: L. Holewa, H. Kerr, T. Freeman, C. Wright, J. Robertson, J. Westwood

GOALS: Old Paradians: M. Raponi 4, N. Spencer 4, T. Dimasi 2, D. McInnes 1, J. Iliopoulos 1, R. Spencer 1

Bulleen Templestowe: C. Burridge 2, P. Voglis 1, S. Lambropoulos 1

BEST: Old Paradians: J. Christelow, M. Marangon, S. Esmore, J. Alfonso, N. Spencer, N. Gleeson

Bulleen Templestowe: T. Matthes, J. Caridi, C. Whiting, D. Bone, S. Harisiou, T. Bone

GOALS: Mhsob: B. Gunn 5, J. Cusack 3, D. Owens 2, T. Golz 1, E. Riddle 1, M. Fennessy-Kent

1, A. Mourtikas 1

Whitefriars: D. Hughes 3, B. Galtieri 3, V. Midolo 2, E. Wu 2, J. Coates 1

BEST: Mhsob: T. Golz, M. Fennessy-Kent, B. Gunn, J. Cusack, E. Riddle, A. Mourtikas

Whitefriars: H. Hobbs, E. Wu, J. Domingo, W. Pyers, B. Galtieri, H. Findlay

Parkside

Old Yarra Cobras

GOALS: Parkside: L. Chilcott 7, C. Osullivan 2, M. Doyle 2, J. Clarke 1, A. Bianchi 1

Old Yarra Cobras: D. Esdaile 2, L. Marshall 2, M. Scott 1, B. McHugh 1, M. Stone 1

BEST: Parkside: K. Howes, L. Chilcott, D. Vickers, C. McFadyen

Old Yarra Cobras: F. O’Gorman, C. Docker, R. Pollard, N. Paton, D. Esdaile, T. Bisinella

Williamstown’s domination continues while St Marys secure their first win of the season.

Round 6 brought with it a display of heart and grit with all teams in for some tough, wet weather footy.

Williamstown continued their winning streak coming up against Old Trinity, while St Mary’s brought home their first win for the season in a close game against Therry Penola.

As Old Trinity took on Williamstown at Hudson Oval it was a match up set to test both teams. A low scoring first quarter highlighted the challenge these top sides posed to each other. Williamstown started to run away with the game late in the second quarter as they kept Old Trinity goalless going into halftime. Despite Old Trinity’s best effort to advance the ball downfield in hope of adding to the scoreboard, Williamstown’s ability to control the play combined with their fierce offensive pressure proved too good for Old Trinity.

Old Trinity toiled away despite a fifty-five-point margin going into the last quarter, with Larni Dibben kicking the teams only goal of the game. Kiara Palmar was best on for Williamstown and Sofi-Kristin Georgas kicked 4 majors to help secure the win.

Just next door at Ivanhoe Park, Ivanhoe took on Albert Park Falcons. In a strong first quarter effort the Falcons left the Ivies scoreless going into quarter time. Ivanhoe started to find their rhythm as the game progressed, with Molly Uwland showcasing her ability across the ground with impressive run and carry efforts. With Ivanhoe ramping up the pressure in the second half and kicking 7 goals,

Tessa Vandergriff, an Ivies veteran and experienced defender, exhibited her versatility by playing forward and kicking the first goal of her footy career.

Despite Ivanhoe’s strongest attempt to take the lead, Albert Park made the most of opportunities in front of goal and eventually were victorious.

Across town MCC were in for a big day as they faced off against Parkdale Vultures at Beaumaris Secondary College. Coming into the game as underdogs, MCC put on an impressive first quarter, matching Parkdale with one behind each. The Vultures began to assert their dominance in the second quarter despite the dreary conditions and continued to extend their lead into the second half of the game.

Bella Daddo starred up forward for Parkdale, kicking three goals, while the backline managed to keep MCC goalless for the entire game.

The highlight of the round was St Mary’s Salesian securing their first win of the season against Therry Penola at Ferndale Park. A close first half showcased the ability of each team, neither seemingly able to get the edge on the other. With St Marys going into the third quarter three points down, the Saints utilised their ability to skilfully transition the ball from their defensive fifty to their scoring end and performed in front of goal. Anna Vrsecky was an integral part of St Marys success, taking strong defensive marks, rucking and kicking a goal. An impressive 40m goal from Gabby Rawlings also helped secure the 20-point victory for St Marys.

The VAFA is looking for volunteer reporters to cover Divisions 3 & 4 Women’s for the 2023 season. If you’re interested, please email media@vafa.com.au

Round 6 Results

GOALS: Parkdale Vultures:

I. Daddo 3, L. Burgess 2, S. Symons 2, T. Ingram 1

Melbourne Cricket Club Football Club:

BEST: Parkdale Vultures:

I. Daddo, L. Burgess, S. Symons, B. Allen, C. Pate, N. Russo

Melbourne Cricket Club Football Club:

A. Stranger, B. Lewis-Toakley, H. Brodribb, E. Baker, A. Asmanis

Round 7 Tips

Ivanhoev Therry Penola

Melb Cricket Club FC v St Mary’s Salesian

Parkdale Vulturesv Old Trinity

Williamstown CYMS v Albert Park

GOALS: St Mary’s Salesian:

A. Vrsecky 1, L. Dobbyn 1, C. Soderstrom 1, G. Rawlings 1, O. Giblin 1

Therry Penola:

R. OâHalloran 1, A. Duggan 1

BEST: St Mary’s Salesian:

C. Soderstrom, O. Vandenbossche, E. Hall, N. Martyszus, R. Kennedy, R. Prosser

Therry Penola:

R. OâHalloran, M. Halton, N. Kemp, M. Ratcliffe, C. Sandman, B. Le Roy

GOALS: Albert Park:

J. Griffin 3, H. Buur 3, S. Kenny 1, E. Shalders 1

Ivanhoe:

E. Johnson 2, T. Vandergriff 1, R. Campbell 1, C. Williams 1

BEST: Albert Park:

J. Griffin, B. Wilson, C. McDonald, H. Buur, E. Shalders, C. Goh

Ivanhoe:

E. Johnson, C. Williams, T. Vandergriff, M. Uwland

GOALS: Williamstown CYMS:

S. Georgas 4, S. Kennedy 3, A. Acquaro 2, K. Fox 1, C. Tyrrell 1, L. Winter 1

Old Trinity:

L. Dibben 1

BEST: Williamstown CYMS:

K. Palmar, C. Snow, A. Acquaro, K. Maddock, P. Mackenzie, L. Winter

Old Trinity:

S. Lin, A. Condon, M. Kolednik, K. Clark, L. Dibben, K. Woodhouse

Did we just see a grand final preview, or am I dreaming?

If you played in division three this week there was a 20% chance you were a part of a side that won by over 90 points as the cream of the crop rose to remind the competition that if you want to be the best, you better get recruiting.

Let’s kick things off with Wattle Park easily accounting for Swinburne University at home. Starting the first quarter with a bang, Swinburne left their kicking boots at home, struggling to find the majors with defenders under siege from any of the 10 goal scorers for the Animals. Wattle Park comes out of the round 6 battle with a huge percentage booster managing to run away 123-point winners to record the biggest winning margin of 2023 and sit three wins and three losses to kick start their campaign.

Moving onto the battle of the middle, it was Power House taking on the Richmond Central Snakes in a bid to ascend the ladder into the top four for one side and into the contention of a finals spot for the other. It’s been almost a theme all season for the Snakes with a hot start seeing the side run out to an early lead into the half off the back of some Jake Dillon brilliance and hard contested footy. On the back foot Power House managed to keep the visiting side scoreless in the third quarter and only allowed nine points in the final term, running out 10-point winners in what truly was a come from behind miracle for a Saturday afternoon. Big games from Michael Timmons, Max McCulloch and the defenders of Power House means the side can breathe a little easier heading into round 7.

Next up two giants went at it as the cream of the crop (as I like to put it) fought it out for supremacy of what could be a grand final preview. Elsternwick and Hawthorn were sure to be a showstopper and boy it lived up to the hype, with the Hawks coming back from a disappointing first quarter to lead into the half. Elsternwick, who you will remember played as a part of last year’s grand final then put their foot on the gas and ripped the breaks out, rectifying some errant kicking to steam ahead by 22 points from a strong Hawks side.

The final game of the round was contested between the bookends of the competition, as the only other side I believe can sneak into a grand final spot, Canterbury, took on La Trobe University. The Cobras have been near perfect thus far in 2023 having only lost one game through the first six rounds, and this past weekend was never going to

Round 6 Results

2023 DIVISION 3 MEN’S

GOALS: Elsternwick: T. Becker 2, P. Sanderson 2, C. Marinis 2, R. Main 1, T. Falco 1, D. Poletto 1, T. Tonkin 1, J. Yeatman 1, N. Materia 1, B. Pantas 1

Hawthorn: W. Meehan 4, H. Lewis 2, C. Lee 2, J. Raiti 1, H. Smith 1, L. McLeod 1

BEST: Elsternwick: B. Pantas, D. Poletto, T. Tonkin, B. Fletcher, B. Reese, M. Harvey

Hawthorn: J. Betlehem, E. Avery, J. Raiti, J. Wain, L. McLeod, E. McLaren be a question of how so but rather, how much. When the score read 89 to 3 in the first half every fan of La Trobe must have nearly packed up the car and committed to round 7 being a better time, however to their credit the side stemmed the flow of an 86-point deficit to only fall by 98 to the Cobras. For Canterbury big man Tom Lowden, it was another four goal haul whilst 11 of his other teammates decided to join the party to take honors as the most goal scorers in a singular side this round.

GOALS: Power House: M. Timmons 4, H. Officer 2, M. Auchettl 1, M. McCulloch 1, N. Harris-Dent 1, D. Cameron 1

Richmond Central: J. Dillon 3, J. Miller 2, R. Lemke 1, J. Clark 1, J. Tucker 1, T. Rivers 1

BEST: Power House: M. McCulloch, H. Officer, S. Scotland, L. Stubbs, N. HarrisDent, M. Timmons

Richmond Central: D. McLinden, T. Forster, M. Aquilina, J. Dillon, J. Clark

GOALS: Wattle Park: T. Hernan 5, M. Hill 3, Z. Kearns 3, T. Clarke 2, J. Greensides 2, N. Baxter 2, J. Moran 2, B. Collins 1, R. Luehman 1, N. Bird 1 Swinburne University: A. Vesty 3, L. King 2

BEST: Wattle Park: M. Hill, G. Donovan, N. Baxter, S. Drummond, T. Hernan, H. Davis

Swinburne University: M. Huf, L. Randello, B. Field, A. Vesty, N. McKenna, H. Haszard

GOALS: Canterbury: T. Lowden 4, R. Murray 3, J. Dear 3, R. Di Roberto 2, M. Topp 1, M. Wheeler 1, R. Fraser 1, N. McMahon 1, J. Cutts 1, D. Desmond 1, J. Nicolopoulos 1, B. Jose 1

La Trobe University: M. Ogle 3, T. Spiteri 2, B. Dowler 1

BEST: Canterbury: M. Collins, J. Dear, R. Fraser, L. Shearer, T. Lowden, R. Murray

La Trobe University: T. Whelan, A. Conboy, N. Richardson, A. Castles, T. Spiteri, M. Ogle

2023 DIVISION 3 RESERVE MEN’S

GOALS: Elsternwick: M. Saunders 4, T. Ramsay 3, M. Mordech 2, A. De Vries 1, M. Meltzer 1, A. Gruen 1, A. Olsen 1, D. Cook 1, L. Pinnegar 1

Hawthorn: H. Kothari 2, S. Moussi 1, D. Chisholm 1

BEST: Elsternwick: A. Olsen, D. Higgins, T. Ramsay, S. Convery, D. Cook, C. Meldrum

Hawthorn: J. Pardo, B. Tekin, L. Huber, J. Milner, T. Hartson

GOALS: Richmond Central: N. O’Loughlin 2, A. Fraser 2, D. Hall 2, T. Sixsmith 1

Power House: D. Nannery 2, S. Marshall 1, D. Fogarty 1

BEST: Richmond Central: D. Martin, A. Leong, N. Maddock, O. Kelly, D. Giblin

Power House: E. Han, C. Officer, H. Terry, D. Fogarty, K. O’Flynn, J. Robinson

GOALS: Wattle Park: M. Price 5, D. Quattro 4, A. Smith 3, L. Hicks 2, J. Nelson 1, H. Jones 1

Swinburne University: T. Roberts 2, C. Kelly 1

BEST: Wattle Park: M. Price, S. Bourke, H. Jones, J. Glare, R. Kuhnell, C. Walter Swinburne University: L. McClay, T. Millard, A. Mills, C. Kelly, T. Roberts, H.

Christensen

GOALS: Canterbury: J. Scammell 3, J. Pisani 2, A. Gelsumini 2, J. Mreulje 1, B. Curtis 1, S. Young 1, C. Unwin 1, D. Tardio 1, T. Nash 1

La Trobe University: N. Oliyath 1, J. Billings 1, P. Carroll 1, J. Shelley 1

BEST: Canterbury: R. Tan, C. Unwin, J. Pisani, M. Deane, J. McGrath, N. Ramakrishnan

La Trobe University: J. Shelley, J. Toomey, M. O’Brien, R. Campbell, J. Cassells, W. Barnes

Billy Bolch