Finals-bound Preston outclassed and outworked a disappointing Brunswick at Gillon Oval on Saturday, when the weather was the source of more interest than the action on the ground at times, in an eight-goal thumping.

When these Northern suburban rivals met earlier in the season they played out a high-scoring, entertaining contest, but on this occasion, the contest was short-lived.

The high-point for the NOBs came early in the first quarter when, kicking into a strong wind, they kicked the opening two goals – the first to the reliable Paul Scamporlino and the second a beautiful set-shot to Will Kempt. Thereafter, the Bullants dominated through the midfield and bombarded the hapless Brunswick defence, who battled valiantly but kept seeing the ball rebound from the wall the visitors had erected at half-forward. Fortunately for Brunswick, Preston didn’t capitalise on the multitude of chances they created, kicking 4.8 to 2.1, and the NOBs were still in the hunt at quarter-time.

An early goal in the second term to Oscar Watt, running onto a ball kicked to his advantage utilising the strong breeze, narrowed the margin to 13 points and excited the home fans, but that was as close as the NOBs would get for the rest of the match. Preston then imposed themselves, outnumbering the home side at the contest all over the ground, and four-straight majors into the wind was the result. Some frustrating set-shot misses by Brunswick followed, before a storm lashed the ground in the minutes leading up to halftime sending spectators scurrying to the sanctuary of the Glenn Stand, and the visitors led by 31 points at the main change.

In true Melbourne-style, the third term was played in sunshine and with no wind to speak of, but that didn’t change the tempo of the match and Preston continued to dominate, kicking four-unanswered goals to set up an unassailable 58-point lead at the final break.

Early in the final quarter, Scamporlino slotted his second goal for the day, before the Bullants’ captain responded with his fifth to make it a game-high 60-point margin. Late on, Tom Wilson twice got on the end of what were probably Brunswick’s best pieces of plays for the match to reduce the deficit to 48 points, and they will need much more of that next week in the final game of the season against ladder-leaders Ormond.

Rowan Hogenbirk stood out for the NOBs with his strength and willingness to work hard over four quarters. Captain Ben Wilson also battled hard, while Jackson Browne continued his recent excellent form in defence. Young-gun Liam Allman was also tremendous in the backline, especially during the first quarter bombardment, while Joe Gale started forward and was swung back to great effect in the second half. Fletcher Banfield again picked up a power of possessions in the middle.