By JARROD POTTER
VAFA DIVISION 2 – Round 14
FIGHTING off the frigid cold and a howling wind, St John’s put behind a squalid month of form by brushing aside finals’ contender Eltham Collegians.
With a two-and-three record in the last month of Division-2 action, St John’s needed the win to continue its push for the VAFA double-chance.
Battling fourth-ranked Eltham Collegians, the match only started to ramp up dramatically through the second half, as the wind became a major factor as the mercury dropped at Thomas Carroll Reserve.
The third quarter belonged to the JOCs as the forward line started to heat up.
With expert delivery from Rhys Dyker, Keith Ash and Manny Jakwot – who stormed through the midfield – it gave Tim Edwards (5 goals) and Aaron Abela (3 goals) plenty to pump their fists about slamming on eight-goals-one in a dominant third term for the JOCs. It was a one-sided performance aided by the great wind buffeting the Box Street end.
Two goals against the typhoon kept the visitors’ hopes alive and despite staring down a 44-point deficit at the final change, the Eltham Collegians didn’t quit even as the scoreboard started to favour the home side heavily.
Every one of that eight-goal margin for St John’s would prove necessary as Eltham chipped away at that lead through the final term.
St John’s didn’t throw everyone back immediately – trying to push for a few more goals to seal the deal – but eventually Ben McGee marshalled his best and brightest and sent them to defend the rapidly decreasing lead.
Abela, Ash and Dyker shifted their focus and excelled down back – repelling countless Eltham inside-50s to hold onto an eight-point lead at the final siren.
St John’s football manager Chris Horbury was pleased the JOCs turned around their indifferent form by knocking off a major player in the Division-2 finals’ race.
“Third quarter won us the game – eight goal third quarter – and we kicked straight today,” Horbury said.
“We had to grind out the win and we did that… these are the games we have to win.
“Lots of positives out of the game – 18.5 – you’re going to win many games when you kick like that.”
Horbury praised the aforementioned players as well as Carson Strobel through the centre.
St John’s goes a game clear in second place and heads out to Albert Park on Saturday to face South Melbourne Districts.
