Alexandra go top

By Ben O’Brien
FOR the first time in a long time, there is a new club at the top of the Commodore Press Second Division ladder – Alexandra.
Typical of the topsy-turvy nature of the competition, one loss by Thornton saw them fall from first to third, but they are only a game out of top spot.
The Shinboners travelled to Yarra Glen on Saturday, and had no answers to a Thunder unit that hit the ground running in the first quarter and kept going, despite a lapse early in the last, to record an impressive 44-point win.
Yarra Glen took full advantage of a Thornton team that appeared disinterested for most of the match, only showing glimpses of the form that, up until the weekend, saw them premiership favourites.
Dean Selkrig claimed top spot on the goalkicking ladder with 11 goals in a BOG performance that fully capitalised on the precise delivery of his termites further up the ground.
With a game in hand over Belgrave and Alexandra, Yarra Glen must fancy their hopes of grabbing the double chance – Thornton also has a game in hand and would not have given up on the minor premiership just yet.
Alexandra hosted Yarra Junction, and got home by 22 points, in a game that was tight all day.
Michael Bretherton kicked six goals, while Jesse Ridd was Junction’s best in a more promising performance by the Eagles – the issue for them is that they are now 6 points adrift of Yarra Glen and will find it difficult to move higher over the few remaining weeks of the season.
Emerald hosted Belgrave, and very nearly recorded their second victory over a top team for the year, eventually going down by a miserly two points.
The Bombers held a 27-point lead at the final change, but couldn’t hold out a fast-finishing Magpie outfit, which kicked five goals to one to get over the line.
Marcus Stow was best for the winners, and was ably assisted by six goals from Brad Raaymakers.
In the final game, Seville won their second game on the trot, with a comprehensive victory over Powelltown – coach Scott Hunter led from the front with seven goals.
Also for the second consecutive week, the Compass Group Division One results went according to plan, with the higher placed teams all winning, although some had a harder time of it than others did.
It was back to reality for Olinda, after last week’s heroics – they ran into Silvan who were not in a particularly generous mood.
Gary Moorcroft kicked 10 goals to extend his lead on the goalkicking (83) and must be a good thing to kick the ton.
Warburton did match Healesville in one quarter (the last) but the problem was the other three, in which the Bloods were just too good, eventually winning by 59 points – Matthew Fraraccio was best-on-ground, while Jye Conrau’s five goal effort was equalled by Warburton’s Damien Lee.
A 10-goal second quarter from Monbulk put paid to Wandin’s chances, after an even opener, with the Dogs playing catchup from then on.
The Hawks won 23.17 to 14.10 – Michael Langworthy kicked six goals and Jarrod Clarke showed his class with a BOG performance.
Upwey overcame a 16-point deficit at three-quarter time to eventually subdue Mount Evelyn by 10 points. The Rovers accurate kicking kept them in the contest (10 less shots) and they would have been disappointed to only manage one major in the last quarter.
Vincent Muccitelli kicked seven goals and got his side out of jail for the second time this year.
In the final match, Woori Yallock blew Gembrook out of the water completely, winning by 140 points.
The shortest man on the ground, Matt Stolarczyk, kicked six goals and was clearly the best afield.