On a bitterly cold and wet Saturday afternoon at Gillon Oval, top-of-the-ladder Brunswick did enough to overcome a spirited Aquinas outfit fighting to avoid relegation, eventually holding on by 12 points.

This was one of those mid-winter fixtures that needed to be endured, more than enjoyed, but it was pleasing to take the points in front of a crowd bolstered by a matchday luncheon paying tribute to the club’s very first premiership winners from 1964.

Kicking with the wind to the Sydney Road end in the first quarter, the NOBs got off to a relatively fast start considering the slippery conditions, with Oscar Watt the beneficiary of an excellent handball from Hayden Parker to slam through the opening goal, quickly followed by major from directly in front to Parker himself. Rowan Hogenbirk then took a strong mark at centre half-forward and duly converted, but for the next 15 minutes a number of opportunities were spurned as seven straight behinds were recorded.

The true worth of those misses was exemplified in the second term as Aquinas took their turn with the wind, kicking three goals of their own and holding Brunswick to 0.1

At halftime, coach Hunter implored his charges to put a space on the Bloods in the pivotal third quarter and they responded with four majors in six minutes, sparked by a snap from the returning veteran Aidan Pollock, then Hogenbirk slotted his second on-the-run, followed by Anth Alexandris with a nice snap and topped off by another goal to the busy Watt. Frustratingly, despite getting out a five-goal lead so early in the term, the NOBs couldn’t put the game to bed, with a couple of misses then followed by an unfortunate ruck infringement and 50m penalty enabling Aquinas to kick the first major of the day into the wind. Watt restored the five-goal buffer with his third, also from a 50m penalty, but then an undisciplined act on the three-quarter time siren gifted Aquinas another major and they were up-and-about heading to the final term with the wind and only 24 points down.

Another goal to the Bloods in the opening minute of the fourth quarter had them even more excited as the upset of the season was a real possibility. But it was that man Watt again who came to Brunswick’s rescue, with his fourth from a strong mark, with Zephyr Hooke slotting a set shot of his own soon after to make it 31 points, but Aquinas would not go away, and they utilised the wind to kick the next two goals to close to within three kicks with time enough to win. The sealer was finally slotted by Paul Scamporlino after 28 minutes, although another two goals very late on to the Bloods meant it was only a 12-point margin in the end.

Watt’s four goals were the difference on the day, as the Bloods couldn’t curb his run and smarts. Hogenbirk was also excellent, as was Marcus Foti across half-back. The McKenzie brothers, Will and Lewis, both handled the wet conditions very well, while Scamporlino enjoyed the opportunity to spend time in the midfield and kicked a crucial late goal. Debutant Rory O’Connor also performed well on a tough day for tall players.

This week the NOBs travel to Bulleen Templestowe for a twilight game when coach Hunter will be hoping to see his defenders in a less generous mood than they were against Aquinas, as the Bullants are also fighting to avoid relegation. See you there!