Two sides remain unbeaten, whilst two are yet to register a win after three rounds, with the top-three teams starting to break away from the chasing pack.
Lower Plenty will be looking to continue its unbeaten run when it hosts Diamond Creek in the match of the round. With the sides sitting in second and third place, this looms as a match that may well be a preview of what we may see comes finals time.
Last round Lower Plenty romped to a win over the Fitzroy Stars by 110 points. Lower got the match off to strong start with a ten-goal to two first half and only allowed the Stars five goals for the day – with Lower’s tall targets proving a major factor.
Tom Keys’ outstanding start to 2018 continued, bagging five goals, while Thomas Blake added four. Both featured in their side’s best players, alongside Patrick Flynn, who was best on ground and kicked three goals.
Diamond Creek also found the going comfortable in Round 3 and recorded its third win in a row with an 83-point triumph over Watsonia. The Creekers where particularly clinical during the first three terms, were they booted 17 of their 19 goals.
A seven-goal and best-on-ground performance from Jess Cosaitis contributed greatly to the big win. The Creekers will now look to extend their recent good record against Lower Plenty, after winning all four encounters last year.
Eltham will be looking to continue its unbeaten run when it travels to Watsonia. The host will be looking to register its first win of the 2018 season.
The Panthers were dominant in their 63-point win over Thomastown at Eltham Central Park last week. The Panthers booted eight goals in the first quarter and were never really troubled, even when they were outscored by six points in the third term.
Brandon Freeman had an instant impact in his first senior appearance for the season, kicking seven goals and being the best player on the park. His inclusion and performance demonstrated the depth of an already strong outfit.
After showing positive signs during its Round 2 loss to Lower Plenty, Watsonia trailed right throughout its loss to Diamond Creek last week and was outscored in each quarter at Coventry Oval.
Kyle Page was the Saints’ only multiple goal-scorer with three goals, while Matthew Gibbs, Matthew Crompton and Daniel Gervasoni each produced solid showings in their side’s third-consecutive defeat.
Epping travels to take on the Fitzroy Stars and will be looking to build on its first win of the season last weekend against Banyule.
The Blues got off to a flyer in the first term and then showed great resilience to hold off a late Yulers’ charge in their nail-biting 4-point win – one they are sure to glean plenty of confidence from as they adjust to the challenges of a higher division.
Leigh Judd yet again featured in his side’s best players, while Reed Jepson and Damon Marcon also continued their outstanding form since joining the Blues. Chris Chilcott snagged three goals.
The Stars will be looking to reset after a tough opening three rounds. The perennial finalists sit bottom of the ladder following three heavy losses and will be desperate to turn around their fortunes this week.
Fitzroy had just the one multiple goal kicker, being Roger Morris with two goals, while Steven Stallion and Cameron Hall were once again their best side’s players against Lower Plenty.
The final match of the round pits Banyule and Thomastown against each other. Both sides are coming off losses and are sitting with one win apiece after the opening three rounds – making this is match a vital one early in the season.
The Yulers suffered a disappointing loss to Epping last Saturday, with a late surge unable to get them over the line in their four-point defeat. After a promising showing against Eltham in Round 2, Banyule was left to rue handing Epping a three-goal head start.
Jacob Mitchell and James Kroussoratis were best in defeat, each kicking three goals in their attempts to bring their side its second win of the season.
Thomastown found the going a lot tougher in its clash with Eltham, going down in convincing fashion. Salvatore Mamore was one the of shining lights in what was a tough day, featuring among his side’s best with his contribution of three goals.
The winner of this match will sit inside the top-four after a month of the season.
