Old Paradians have confirmed their position in MC Labour Division 2 for season 2026 with a spectacular 70-point win over Watsonia at Binnak Park.
The Raiders went out to Binnak Park with a goal to win and that was exactly what they did, kicking 18.10 (118) whilst keeping Watsonia to 6.12 (48).
Ben Turner’s men remain in eight spot, equal on points with Panton Hill and Lower Plenty, and have confirmed their spot in Division 2 for next year after securing their fifth win of 2025.
Watsonia on the other hand remain a game and percentage behind Thomastown at the foot of the table ahead of the final fortnight of the regular season.
Kyle O’Sullivan and Sam Philp lit up the midfield and paved the way for the Raiders forwards to work their magic.
Elias Stapleton started his four-goal game by kicking the first two in the first term and continued to present as an option throughout the entire four quarters.
Saints young gun Jai Bartzis kicked three important goals for his side. The nine-gamer stood up for the Saints in the forward half, continuing to create options and putting his body on the line.
Luke Whyte was the key midfielder for the Saints, making his presence know in every contest and stoppage trying to provide good inside 50’s for his boys.
It was Anthony Cafari who kicked off the Raiders by kicking their first goal within the first 50 seconds, bagging his third goal of the season.
Another two goals were added by the Raiders after that Cafari goal before the Saints responded with three consecutive goals to hit the front entering time on of the first.
Old Paradians then kicked the last two goals of the quarter to enter quarter time with the lead.
Energy was high in the second for both sides as they looked to continue building on the momentum they generated in the opening period.
Kyle O’Sullivan came out and showed the Saints how hard they were going to have to work for the win in the second term.
Lachie Kerr and Sam Philip were working their magic all over the ground, Philp taking a huge pack mark in the Raiders backline while Kerr worked hard to present options going forward.
Kerr was one of three Raiders to impact the scoreboard in the second quarter, with Watsonia only kicking one in that period.
Trailing by 21 points, the Saints came out with intent to start the third term as they looked to reduce their deficit once again.
Bartzis was fighting to keep the Saints hopes alive, continuously putting in efforts in to creating options and dragging backman with him which resulted in his teammate, Phil Bastick kicking his sixth goal for the season to start the second half.
After the Raiders hit back, Luke Kenna then goaled to provide the immediate response for the Saints and keep their deficit at 15 points early in the third.
From there it was all the Raiders, dominating the territory and kicking the final three goals of the quarter through Stapleton, Rufus Jones and Jack Nicolo.
It looked to be going the Saints way in the 4th, winning all of the initial centre clearances in the term.
But unfortunately for them it was getting bounced straight back out by the Old Paradians, who then moved the ball well and quickly into the 50 to then conceive six goals in the last quarter.
The Raiders ran over the top of the Saints to secure an important win for their season, letting them stay in the MC Labour Division 2 for another season.
