VAFA Divisional wrap: Whitefriars thrive, new contenders emerge

Despite being faced with injury challenges, including the loss of a star forward, Whitefriars are continuing to dig deep. Go inside the Friars’ start to the season.

Whitefriars are off to a flying start at 3-0. Photo: Facebook.

Whitefriars is being thrown challenges on and off the field but Luc Matthews’ side continues to succeed.

The Friars are 3-0 to start the VAFA Division 2 and have won their last two games by a combined margin of seven points including a five-point victory against Canterbury on Saturday.

It was a game where they were forced to dig deep with just one fit player on the bench heading into the last quarter. Picking up these early season wins is an indication of the growth at the club according to Matthews.

“We were dropping games early in the year last season and then had to scrape through the back end to make finals,” Matthews said.

“We’ve scrambled and these early wins are hopefully going to hold us in good stead later in the year. I said to the boys at three-quarter-time to be prepared for anything, it was going to take 100 minutes of effort.

“Every week you’ve got to play the four quarters or you’ll lose by four or five goals. It was just guts. We could have laid down but we fought through until the end of what was a cracking game of footy.

“Canterbury were brilliant, they might not have won a game but they’re a quality opponent.”

Whitefriars line-up has already endured plenty of change to start the season. One of the competition’s leading forwards, Sam Kieseker, could miss the rest of the year with the club awaiting the results of scans.

Dan Hughes suffered a serious knee injury on the weekend with the full extent to be confirmed in coming days.

But there are positives after Nicholas Garratt, who kicked 45 goals last season, made his return to action with four goals in the reserves.

“Hopefully we get a few more back in the coming weeks as well,” Matthews said.

“I like to think your best 22 is an available 22. We don’t like to look at the injury list and make excuses, every club is faced with these challenges.”

Whitefriars next face South Melbourne Districts with last year’s preliminary finalists looking for their first win of the season.

CULLIAN’S MAGIC MOMENT

Dan Cullinan might not have to buy a beer at Therry Penola for a while. On his club debut, Cullinan kicked truly as the siren sounded to hand Therry their first win of the season in the most dramatic of circumstances. His goal capped a remarkable comeback for the Lions who booted five goals to two in the final term to snatch a one-point win. Nick McIntosh was best afield while recruits Sean Callender and Nathan Thomas impressed. Pat Carracher finished with four goals.

MILESTONE MEN THRIVE FOR UNICORNS

AS MHSOB picked up its second win on the trot, milestone men Charles Pearson and Mitchell Wilson were named best afield in a statement 12-point win over Brunswick. Pearson was described as one of the club’s “unsung heroes” while Wilson is renowned for his “professionalism”. Mathew Pereira jumped into contention for the league goalkicking award with five majors, taking him to 13 for the season.

Charles Pearson and Mitch Wilson celebrated milestones. Photo: Facebook.

MOURANT LIFTS ST JOHNS

St John’s picked up its first win of the Division 2 season after prevailing by 62 points against Aquinas. The JOCs were lead by Josh Mourant who produced a powerful display with seven goals while Nick Beer was named best afield. Beer joined the club after previously playing at Keysborough and has made an impressive start to the campaign.

BULLANTS GOOD RUN OF FORM

Preston Bullants have won two on the trot and impressively they’re putting big scores on the board. In pre-season, the club said it was an area it wanted to improve in and they’ve managed to do so already. Recruit Dominic Douglas was best afield after booting four goals in the 68-point win over Elsternwick while Alex Johnston finished with five. It was also a historic day for the club as it fielded its first senior men’s thirds team.

KEW PROVE PREMIERSHIP CREDENTIALS

Kew has proven why it will take some beating in the race for the Division 1 premiership with a comprehensive 39-point win over Oakleigh. The Bears had 22 scoring shots to 13 as Will Llewelyn had a dominant day in front of goal with six majors. Llewelyn has been in brilliant form to start the season with 15 majors in three games.

RICHMOND CENTRAL’S STATEMENT

Michael Motta’s Richmond Central proved why it is among the teams to beat with a 74-point win over La Trobe University. Campbell Mellor enjoyed a fine best on ground display as Jack Bilson and Mitch Gleeson kicked three goals apiece.

LEE IMPRESSES FOR NORTH BRUNSWICK

North Brunswick picked up its second win of the season as skipper Cameron Lee produced a best on ground performance against Box Hill North. The Bulls ran out one-point winners with Adam Tsardakis, Massimo Iannuzzi, Matt David, Samuel Watt and Kenny Thomson also impressive.