By Jarrod Potter
VAFA DIVISION 2 AND 4 – ROUND 7
THE JOCs juggernaut continues to roll on in VAFA Division 2, this week smashing premiership contender Eltham Collegians by 48 points.
Starting with a bang, St John’s nailed five goals to push aside Eltham in the first quarter. The likes of Keith Ash, Carson Strobel and Rohan Scott kept the home side on the back-foot and set up countless forward entries.
Aaron Thornton (seven goals) gobbled up his chances in the forward-50 – and coach Ben McGee said the JOCs full forward “had his kicking boots on all day and was mentally switched on”. Thornton has taken a comfortable four-goal lead in the Division 2 goal kicking race – booting his way to 37 for the season.
Despite rallying late in the clash – booting four goals in the final term – Eltham Collegians was no match for the mighty St John’s – who continues its unbeaten VAFA campaign so far this season.
McGee said St John’s brushed off the cold to smash through its hillside competitors and continue its stellar start to a big season in Dandenong.
“We were up in Eltham in the hills – you think you’re cold I still can’t feel my toes,” McGee said.
“Was probably our best win to be honest – we haven’t won up there traditionally it’s been a bit of a bogey ground.
“Just came to play – kicked five in the first.
“Got that momentum and carried it on in the second and was about a seven-goal difference at half-time and we were in a position that we controlled the game the whole day.”
McGee said all that’s left for St John’s to knock over from the top ranks is Ivanhoe AFC, who will travel to Thomas Carroll Reserve in round 9 in a blockbuster premiership-preview on 13 June.
“Just like last week – Strobel is a breakaway – and the contributors were random and throughout the team.
“We’ve got one more – Ivanhoe – we haven’t played them yet and they’re sitting second and we play them in round nine,” McGee said. “There will be a lot of eyes as far as the competition goes on that game because they’ve only lost the one.”
The 7-0 JOCs travel to face ninth place Monash Gryphons on Saturday.
DIVISION 4
Masala was completely outclassed by Westbourne Grammarians, downed by a whopping 174 points as the Warriors booted 30 goals.
Dale Collins took half of those – leaving with a massive bag of 15 goals for the afternoon. Jordan Toikalkin was best afield for the Tigers alongside Ben Nugent and Adam Gleeson. 10th place Masala hosts Point Cook at WJ Turner Reserve from 2pm Saturday.
