In a tough contest Brunswick NOBs ultimately overcame another finals contender in Yarra Valley OG at Gillon Oval on Saturday, scrapping to a 14-point win to make it seven in-a-row at the half-way mark of the season.

Despite a wet centre square, conditions were good for football but still scoring was at a premium during a tight first quarter. It took 15 minutes for us to notch our first major through the excellent Ben Wilson, who is enjoying a sensational year in the midfield. As the term went on our dominance in general play grew, but we could only manage one more goal, which was the result of a piece of Dom Sullivan magic as he volleyed a kick from the boundary to the waiting arms of Jed Carey in the goal square.

The opening 10 minutes of the second quarter were again a struggle, before we managed to break the game open with four goals in eight minutes, two of them to the dominant player on the ground in Geremie Ganino, who was relishing the heavy conditions. With a lead of 37 points it appeared as though the home team might be in for a comfortable win. But there was still plenty of time left in the game and the visitors were having none of that as they fought back, with the next five scores before halftime. Unfortunately for Yarra they were all behinds, including some bad misses.

The complexion of the game changed after the main break, as Yarra broke their goal-drought in the opening minute. We answered soon after through Chris Ford, who, after missing some easier shots in the first half, slotted one from an angle. Yarra kept pressing but after the veterans Ford and Ganino each scored to take us to a game-high 39-point lead at the 19-minute mark it again seemed as though the match was safe. But there was another twist as Yarra came again, kicking the last two goals of the term.

In the final quarter, things really got tense as Yarra took charge of the contest and our legs grew heavy, perhaps a result of it being our first game in three weeks. By the 18-minute mark the gap was closed to eight points and we were looking extremely vulnerable. Enter Dom Sullivan, who had for the whole quarter looked the most likely Brunswick player to score as he continued to run on top-of-the-ground as others battled. A thrilling run down the ground and flying shot from 50 would produce what turned out to be the sealer after 23 minutes. Testament to the struggle was the fact that neither team scored in the last seven minutes of the game.

In an important victory that saw us solidify a spot in the top two, it was Geremie Ganino who the best player on the ground. Ben Wilson was also tremendous over four quarters, while Luka Vlassopoulos was a brilliant defender and lively when thrown forward. Sullivan started slowly but was a match-winner late, while James Moverley was an absolute warrior in the ruck against a man-mountain of an opponent. Other good contributors on the day included James Schmidt, Danny King, Liam Whelan and Chris Ford.

Next week we travel to Albert Park Lake to face Power House as we look to keep our winning run going. See you there.