ROUND 7 produced four closely-fought contests, with the only exception being Greensborough’s demolition of Lower Plenty – the Boro’s second percentage-boosting victory in succession.
While the pre-season acquisitions of Dan McLinden, Michael Hopper and Andrew Stellas were thought to bolster Greensborough, few could have foreseen the extent in which the club has improved this year, following eighth and seventh-place finishes over the past two seasons.
After seven rounds the Boro sit with a 6-1 record and have stamped themselves as a genuine premiership threat ahead of two massive home matches against Bundoora and Heidelberg. Having stood up to just about every challenge so far this season, Robert Hyde’s men will be given every chance to win both matches as they vie for first spot on the ladder at the halfway mark.
Co-captain Tim Bongetti shot to the top of the goal kicking chart following a bag of six in last week’s 82-point win over Lower Plenty. The Boro led by just seven points at the first change, before breaking the game open with a seven-goal second quarter. Josh Griffiths played his best game of the year, ably supported by Ricky Mullins and Tristan Stead.
The Boro’s opponent in Round 8, Bundoora, returned to the winners list following a dour 13-point triumph over Northcote Park in a re-match of last season’s preliminary final. The Bulls lacked their usual firepower with Gary Moorcroft watching from the sidelines and Cameron Cloke hurt in the warm-up, however they conceded just seven goals in their best defensive effort of 2014.
Old sparring partners Montmorency and Heidelberg resume hostilities when they meet at Montmorency Park in another eagerly anticipated battle. The Tigers extended their winning streak to seven after accounting for another finals contender in West Preston-Lakeside last Saturday. As per the week prior, it was a late charge that got the undefeated side home. After falling behind late in the third quarter, Heidelberg kicked five of the final six goals with Aaron Crispe named best afield.
Montmorency moved within four points of the top five following its entertaining win at Macleod. The Magpies set up the victory with a five-goal burst in the opening 10 minutes of the match and were then able to withstand numerous challenges from the home side. Yet again it was Jesse Donaldson who starred for the Magpies, while Patrick Fitzgerald booted four goals for the second successive week.
Having lost two of its past three matches, Macleod will look to steady the ship when it hosts Lower Plenty at De Winton Park. Despite the slow start, the Roos were able to close within two points of the Magpies at half time, but failed to get any closer in a nine-point defeat. Cathal Corr and Anthony Doherty combined for eight goals, while Hamish Paynter was named in his side’s best two players for the fifth time in seven rounds.
Despite the continued supreme efforts of Darcy Barden, Matt Duckworth and Matt Vasilevski, Lower Plenty’s perfect home record came to an abrupt end against Greensborough last week. The Bears will now be looking to square their win-loss ledger at 4-4 with their first away win of the season. If they are successful, it will only be percentage which keeps them outside the top five at the Queen’s Birthday break.
2013 finalists Northcote Park and Eltham are battling for eighth place on the ladder ahead of next week’s bye when they meet at Bill Lawry Oval. A win in this fixture gives either side a slim chance of playing finals this season, while defeat will keep the losing side in a much unwanted relegation battle nearing the halfway point of the year.
The Cougars succumbed to a third successive loss when they fell to Bundoora last week, while Eltham kicked the final five goals of the game against Whittlesea to register its first win of the year. Young guns Daniel Coffield, Harry Burns and Billy Glasgow were best in the victory, while James Kroussoratis kicked three of his five goals in the last term.
Whittlesea is now anchored winless to the bottom of the ladder as it welcomes fourth-placed West Preston-Lakeside to the Whittlesea Showgrounds. With Todd Behan, Roy Dyson and Jeremy Page in fine form, the Eagles looked like taking the four points from Eltham when they led by 10 points midway through the final term, before fading.
Meanwhile, West Preston-Lakeside suffered its first loss in a month when it was unable to produce a big final term at Heidelberg. Anthony Bonaddio was still able to produce another fine performance, while former Melbourne star Aaron Davey was extremely productive in his Roosters debut.
