Half-forward Michael Bellizia runs Melbourne High School Old Boys ragged in Old Paradians’ 45-point VAFA win

MICHAEL Bellizia continued his outstanding campaign as Old Paradians made Melbourne High School Old Boys pay for a wasteful effort in front of goal on Saturday.

S45wp933 VAFA: Therry Penola versus Old Paradians play at John Pascoe Fawkner Reserve in Oak Park. Old Paradians Coach David Boundy

MICHAEL Bellizia continued his outstanding Victorian Amateur Football Association campaign as Old Paradians made Melbourne High School Old Boys pay for a wasteful effort in front of goal on Saturday.

Bellizia slotted six goals in Paradians’ 15.5 (95) to 6.14 (50) victory, taking his season tally to 28 majors from nine matches.

The medium-sized forward has been one of the most consistent forwards in Division 2, hitting the scoreboard in every match he has featured in.

Old Paradians coach David Boundy said Bellizia’s workrate regularly helped him shake the attention of opposition defenders.

“He is a very hardworking half-forward,” Boundy said.

“He gets a lot of goals just because of his workrate.

“Coming off the ground (on Saturday) one of their players said he just blew him up, he couldn’t keep going with him.

“He’s very underrated in the competition, but within our side, he’s very important for us.”

Old Paradians took its record to 7-3 after the victory, putting the club firmly in finals calculations.

Boundy acknowledged his side had been gifted a pathway into the contest due to MHSOB’s inaccuracy.

“We were very lucky that they missed their opportunities in front of goal,” he said.

“They had 10 points at half-time.

“For us to be 6.1 was really pleasing and we were really fortunate to still be able to be in the game at that point.”

Andrew Tulipano, Sean Miller and Marcus Nolan played key roles in the 45-point win.

While the final result appears clinical, it took until the last quarter for the home side to shake a stubborn opposition at Garvey Oval.

“We certainly had a bit of work to do,” Boundy said.

“We were very lucky at half-time, I think we kicked two late goals just before half-time to get our noses in front.

“We had a really good patch early on in that third quarter and then we let ourselves down in the middle.”

Old Paradians tackle Monash Gryphons away from home this weekend.

In Division 3, La Trobe University hosts Albert Park on Saturday having had a bye over the weekend.

The side sits bottom of the ladder with one win from nine matches.