VAFA: Everything you need to know from the weekend’s action

Hampton Rovers on fire under Marty Pask, Whitefriars’ stunning form and the twists and turns of the relegation battle. It’s all in the VAFA Verdict.

Hampton Rovers are flying under Marty Pask.

The race for VAFA finals is heating up.

Here are all the talking points from the weekend.

REMEMBER THOSE FEARS FOR ROVERS? THEY’RE GONE

Earlier in the season, Hampton Rovers went through a slight rough patch but they’re now firing after getting the better of Ajax by 41 points. And they held their visitors to just two points in the first half. It’s now created a three-way tie at the top of the ladder with the pair along with Old Carey who lead the way of percentage. Christian Carnovale, Max Coughlin, James Prosser, Austin Parker, Max Van der Straaten and Liam O’Driscoll were all named among the best. Van der Straaten was almost faultless at fullback.

OLD SCOTCH’S STATEMENT WIN BUT AT WHAT COST?

In recent seasons, Old Scotch hasn’t performed as well as they would have liked against Premier Men’s best but on Saturday they did. The Cardinals secured a 25-point win over ladder leader Old Brighton. Young gun Oli Badr proved the game changer with three goals while Aidan Franetic and Ben Hays found plenty of the footy. There will be a big watch on gun forward James Tarrant who suffered a hamstring injury while Charlie Jackson was sidelined in the first quarter with concussion.

IS THE DIVISION ONE TOP-FOUR SET?

The weekend’s results saw a gap emerge with just three games to play. After Old Peninsula suffered a shock one-point loss to relegation threatened West Brunswick, UHS-VU now holds a two-game advantage in the top-four. That’s despite UHS suffering a loss of their own to Ormond who hold a one-game advantage in the race for the double chance. Therry Penola secured its own vital win, beating Old Yarra Cobras by 43 points, to give its chances of survival a major boost.

WHITEFRIARS ARE WHITE HOT

Whitefriars has been the hottest team in Division 2 since the bye, winning four straight games. Luc Matthews’ side has now jumped to second on the ladder after overcoming South Melbourne Districts on Saturday in a thriller by five points. Off-season recruit Tom Jacotine was brilliant again with a best on ground display — he’s been in the best 10 times this season. Jacotine has been a spark on several occasions this season with his pace and power a highlight of his form. Hudson Findlay is another exciting story emerging at the Friars. After breaking into the senior side in round 8, he’s been consistent and produced his best game yet.

Whitefriars have been in hot form since the bye. Photo: VAFA Media/Cath Coady.

BROWN ON TRACK FOR A TON?

Ex-AFL forward Mitch Brown is eyeing off in the VAFA. He booted nine goals to take his tally to 66 for the season as Parkdale Vultures recorded a massive win over Monash Blues in Premier C. It wasn’t even enough for best on ground honours, an award which was given to Vultures skipper Jack Edwards who has been impressive in the last fortnight. Young gun Nathan Sullivan’s impressive season also continued.

DE LA SALLE WITH A BEAUTY

De La Salle is now eyeing top spot on the Premier B ladder after recording a 26-point win over Old Haileybury to close the gap between the two sides to just half-a-game. An eight-goal to zero second quarter was eventually the difference between the two sides. Young gun Nathan Scollo was best afield with Patrick Bohan, Sebastian Filipovic, Thomas Docherty, Luke Healy and Steven Karvellas also impressive.

Williamstown CYMS are eyeing off a great escape. Photo: VAFA Media.

IS THE GREAT ESCAPE ON IN PREMIER B?

If recent form is anything to go by, Williamstown CYMS will climb its way out of the Premier B relegation zone by season’s end. After beating fellow relegation candidate Caulfield Grammarians on Saturday, the boys from the west are now just a game behind their opponents. The result came just a week after earning a draw with ladder leader Old Haileybury. With four games to play, their form says the great escape could happen.

WATTLE PARK SLIPPING

Alarm bells are well and truly going off at Wattle Park. The Animals have dropped into ninth spot and the relegation zone on the Division 2 ladder after a horror run of form. They’ve now dropped nine in a row after being pushed aside by Hawthorn on the weekend.

RICHMOND CENTRAL RECRUITS FIRING AT THE RIGHT TIME

On a weekend where it gained a key advantage in a race for finals footy it was Richmond Central’s recruits leading the way in Division 3. The Snakes recorded a 29-point win over Swinburne University to move one game clear in fifth. What would be most pleasing for the club’s supporters is several recruits were at the forefront led by Charles Spring, who was named in the best for the seventh time, after a dominant display. Other new faces this season who impressed included Eric Nelson and Francesco Muscara. Cody Brook kicked three.