Back at Gillon Oval for the first time in eight months, Brunswick were slow to start against Hawthorn Amateurs before some good fortune aided them in getting their noses in front at halftime, followed by a third quarter for the ages with ten goals to zip to blow the contest apart and rise to the top of the ladder after round 2.

On a perfect autumnal afternoon, the NOBs snagged the game’s opening goal through Hayden Parker, but thereafter a tendency to over-possess the ball led to numerous turnovers, which served to embolden the visitors who slammed on the next three majors to lead at quarter-time and look the more likely side.

In the second term, Parker again goaled early, but it was immediately cancelled out by the Hawks to restore an 11-point advantage, before a free kick to Sam Kiebert in front of the sticks at the 12-minute mark would prove to be unlikely turning-point as a frustrated defender threw Kiebert to the ground after the goal was scored, then conceded a 50-metre penalty for good measure, and in the blink of an eye Brunswick were in front, where they would stay for the rest of the day. Even so, with only a two-goal margin at the long break, courtesy of conversions by small forwards Paul Scamporlino and Oscar Watt, the contest was very much alive.

The third quarter started well with a big mark and goal to Jasper Paevere, and kept on getting better, as everything fell into place for the NOBs: winning the contested ball with superior pressure, clean and direct ball-use, interceptions down back and sharp-shooting up front. Paevere led the scoring-frenzy with three for the term, while Joe Gale helped himself to a couple, as did Parker.

After 14 unanswered goals, Brunswick took an unlikely 74-point lead into the final term and, with the contest well and truly over, the quarter was highlighted by a fifth goal to Parker, with Matt Horan deservedly getting on the scoresheet, while Hawthorn showed some pluck snagging three majors.

Over four quarters, Brunswick’s best was their skipper Ben Wilson, while Tom O’Farrell was excellent in the ruck and around the ground. Paevere was back to his best at centre-half forward, with Lewis White again supreme in the key defence post. Tom Wilson marked everything that went near him, while Watt showed signs of his precocious talent and mature-age recruit Rowan Hobenbirk was also very good.

This Saturday, for the third week running, the NOBs face a team up from Division 3 in the form of the undefeated Wattle Park at Gillon Oval. See you there!