NORTH Heidelberg and Lalor will resume their rivalry when they meet in a Division 2 top-four clash at Shelley Reserve on Saturday.
The Bulldogs sit atop the ladder after an unbeaten opening month of the 2014 season, while Lalor has shown great improvement under Steven Marshall and sits fourth with a 2-2 record.
Despite their improved form, the Bloods go into this weekend’s match up with North Heidelberg on the back of a disappointing 22-point home loss to Mernda in Round 4.
What must be even more annoying for the Bloods and, indeed Marshall, is their inaccuracy in front of goal.
The Bloods could only manage an extremely wasteful 2.17 in last week’s loss to the Demons, and have recorded an inaccurate 41.55 for the season – an accuracy rate of just 42 per cent.
Against a side like the Bulldogs, who have conceded an average of just 57 points per game in 2014, chances to score won’t come often and shots must be converted when on offer.
Having lost their past two matches, the Bloods would love nothing more than to beat one of their fiercest rivals to get back on the winners list.
After finishing in third place in 2013, the Bulldogs are playing an amazing brand of footy under first-year coach Stephen Saddington.
His men have amassed an incredible 77 goals in the opening month of the year, with recruit Lachlan Dowling leading the way with 19 majors, followed closely by captain Leigh Gilbert and Shane Harvey, both on 13.
With an average winning margin of 70 points, they have been dominant to say the least, but as we know, fortunes can change quickly and Saddington knows the risk Lalor poses this week.
“We have got off to a fantastic start but it’s only four games in and I think all sides will improve as the year goes on, as I think we will,” he said.
“I think Panton Hill have shown this year is pretty even and you can’t afford to be off or you’ll lose.
“Us versus Lalor is a huge match no matter where we are on the ladder. It was one of our biggest rivalries through the years and nothing’s changed. I reckon both sides get up for this game.
“They still had plenty of shots on goal last week and if they kicked straight they would be second on the ladder."
Having topped the Division 2 goal kicking table for the past two years, it is a surprise to not see Shane Harvey’s name at the top of North’s goal kicking tally.
But Saddington said it’s a stat that might change quickly if Harvey can find his range in front of goal.
“Harvs has kicked 11 points the last two weeks,” he said. “And he normally never misses.”
“We know we probably have the three best forwards in the division and with confidence really high they are getting a lot of opportunities at the moment.”
With both sides aware of the importance of a victory this weekend, it could prove to be one of the games of the year.
