The final round of the 2023 Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 home and away season will see some sides tune up ahead of finals while others will still look to confirm their place in September action.
Montmorency will host a North Heidelberg side looking to keep their double chance hopes alive at Montmorency Park.
It’s been another strong season from the Magpies, who’ll go one step better than last year regular season wise and finish in second place on the ladder.
Despite just getting over the line against Banyule, Montmorency come into this clash winning their last four games and will look to continue that winning run this weekend.
They claimed an 11-point victory over the Bears but had six more scoring shots, and along with strong efforts once again Marcus Lentini, Patrick Fitzgerald and Liam Wale-Buxton, they ensured they remained in control throughout.
So, with the Magpies’ spot locked in ahead of finals, the Bulldogs could see this as an opportunity to not only claim a scalp but potentially jump into the top three depending on other results.
Like their Saturday opponents, North Heidelberg had to rally hard against a side not in finals contention last weekend, as they eventually broke away from Whittlesea to win by 37 points.
Captain Kyle McDonald has been one to watch in recent weeks, with his terrific efforts earning him a place in his side’s best in four of his previous five matches.
The Bulldogs have struggled to defeat sides currently in the top five, with just two wins from seven clashes against those opponents.
But with more at stake, the Bulldogs will look to cause an upset and head into finals with a burst of momentum.
Having jumped back into the top five last weekend, Hurstbridge will look to book a first ever finals appearance in the top flight when they welcome Macleod to Ben Frilay Oval.
Joel Cordwell’s side took a massive step towards featuring in September last weekend, with a strong four quarter effort against Greensborough away from home.
Mitchell Moschetti produced arguably his best game of the season for the Bridges, with his fierce tackling and extraordinary ability to win the footy in almost any stoppage allowing his side to have control of the contest throughout.
Will Cookson also continued his impressive form while Benjamin Beaven did the damage up forward with three majors.
While it was a famous victory for the club, this weekend is still a must win if the Bridges are to confirm their spot in the five, as a loss would put them in real danger of falling short.
They face a Macleod outfit who have had a challenging three weeks, facing the current top three sides in the competition.
In those three defeats, Craig Hayes men’ have averaged just 26 points whilst conceding an average of 125 points per game.
The side could potentially be bolstered by the return of Justin White and Michael Hurley who both missed last weekend’s loss to Bundoora.
They will be out to end a streak of losses in the final game of the home and away season, dating back to 2018, but with Hurstbridge looking as determined as ever to seal a finals spot, expect another challenge for the Roos to overcome away from home.
Greensborough will look to gain a much needed four points when they play Whittlesea at Greensborough War Memorial Park.
The Boro’s yo-yo season continued last week when a disappointing defeat to Hurstbridge saw them slip down to sixth spot.
They will now need to ensure they defeat the Eagles and hope that Macleod upset Hurstbridge if they are to avoid missing finals for the first time since 2013.
Encouraging sides from the loss last week included Harrison Andronaco and Zac Hart, who’s brilliant seasons are promising for the future of the side.
Captain Jack Johnston will also run out for his 150th senior game for the club this weekend, adding a further incentive for Greensborough to grab the four points.
The Eagles will hope to end the 2023 season on a high as they prepare for life in Division 2 in 2024.
Despite still failing to register a win this campaign, their previous fortnight has been positive, highlighted by keeping up with finals bound North Heidelberg for three quarters before falling short by 37 points.
They registered their second highest score of the year thanks to three majors from Taidhg Bland, while skipper Xavier Dimasi continued his great patch of form into another week.
The Boro kept Whittlesea to just 29 points in their 76-point victory at the Showgrounds back in Round 9, but while Saade Ghazi’s men go in as favourites in this clash, Whittlesea will aim to improve on the result of their previous meeting.
Heidelberg can make it 15 games unbeaten to end the regular season when they face Banyule at Warringal Park.
Vin Dattoli’s men continue to dominate any challenger in their path to back-to-back premierships, with last weekend seeing them claim consecutive 100+ point wins.
Speaking of dominate, it would be the best way to describe Matthew Smith’s form of late, with the 2022 Coaches MVP Award winner playing excellent football in midfield.
Zane Barzen has kicked 21 majors in his last five games while Brayden Sier has been a handy goalkicker of late too, with 11 majors in his previous four matches.
Their opponents in Banyule though have continued to improve in recent weeks, as they look ahead to another season in the top flight in 2024.
They pushed second placed Montmorency to their limits last week and despite going down by 11 points, were able to take plenty of positives out of the contest.
After kicking a season high of three goals and being named as his side’s best last week, Kurt Aylett will look to end his inaugural season with the club on a high, as will Kye Yodgee, who has been named in the Bears’ best in seven of his last eight games.
The first ever game between these two sides in Round 9 saw the reigning premiers get off to a fast start on their way to a 52-point win at Beverley Road Oval, a margin Banyule will hope to reduce this time around.
Bundoora can confirm back-to-back top three finishes when they battle with West Preston-Lakeside at Yulong Reserve.
As they did this time last year, the Bulls have started to gain form ahead of finals and have currently won five of their last six games.
Their intent to be a serious contender in September was highlighted in their huge 89-point triumph over Macleod, which saw Jedd Longmire star around the ground once again, finishing with three majors.
Jesse King and Peter McEvoy also strung together great performances as did Sam Lloyd, who has kicked goals in six of his previous seven matches.
The Bulls will be determined to claim the four points this weekend, as a loss and a North Heidelberg win over Montmorency would see them fall to fourth position by season’s end.
With their fate sealed weeks ago, West Preston-Lakeside will look for some positive signs to take into 2024.
Adam Valeri has been a shining light for Luke Giles’ side in recent weeks, with Beaudie Maroney also earning back-to-back appearances in his side’s best throughout the last fortnight.
Their record against Bundoora has been far from impressive however, having gone down by a combined 228 points in their last two clashes with Michael Ryan’s men.
It’s something the Roosters will at the least, want to avoid again when they take the field for the final time in 2023.
