THE DIVISION 2 competition was turned completely on its head with three key upsets in Round 10.
With an average winning margin of 20 points across all games, Round 10 will be remembered as one of the more cracking rounds of the season.
Diamond Creek and Panton Hill took huge steps to ensuring potential survival, Lalor made a big leap towards finals football, and at the end of it all, North Heidelberg all but secured the minor premiership by moving three games ahead of the competition.
Without injured key midfielder Hugh Kavanagh, Diamond Creek’s victory over Fitzroy Stars was perhaps the gutsiest win of the round. With scores level at half time, the Creekers made a huge move in the third quarter, stunning the Stars with a seven-goal to one third quarter to take a 39-point lead into the last term.
Inevitably, the Stars would come back, but despite a six-goal last quarter, the Stars would lose 11.9 (75) to 13.11 (89). Brent Gutterson kicked five goals, taking his tally to eight in two weeks. Luke Campitelli chipped in with four, with Chris Moloney and Tim Chapman best afield.
Djaran Whyman kicked three goals for the Stars, who, as it turned out, missed an opportunity to move a game clear in second following Mernda’s loss against Lalor. Keith Morgan and Damien Walker were the Stars best players on a disappointing afternoon.
Mernda itself missed the opportunity to move a game clear of the Stars with a loss to Lalor by 17 points. The Bloods’ were able to turn the tables on their Round 4 loss to the Demons by kicking away in the last quarter, after trailing by three points at three quarter time. Lalor’s hero was Scott Dowell, who was best on ground with six goals. The win became more crucial following Epping’s loss at Panton Hill.
The Hillers led by 19 points at half time and then fought back from conceding seven goals in the third quarter. A four-goal to two last term sealed a famous victory. Tyler Scarce kicked three goals for the victors, along with Haydn Bryce. Jarrod McGough was another standout performer for the Hillers.
With this defeat, Epping now finds itself two games behind Lalor in the race for fourth and is now in a four-way relegation fight with Diamond Creek, Hurstbridge and Panton Hill. Daniel Moore was once again Epping’s best performer, kicking four goals. Aaron Willitts added three more, with Josh Stavely and Leigh Judd solid performers.
At Hurstbridge, another Shane Harvey masterclass saw North Heidelberg claim a 10th-straight win. Harvey seemingly marked the occasion with 10 goals in the 35-point victory. The haul is Harvey’s second 10-goal haul this season, after also achieving the feat against Epping. Jake Brown and Jeff Ryan were able to provide support as the Dogs won by their smallest margin of the season and condemned the Bridges to outright bottom on the ladder.
Hurstbridge lost no respect in the loss, kicking the highest score against the Dogs this season, as well as kicking six-goals to two in the third quarter. Tom Simpson kicked four goals, with Daniel Francis kicking three to take his tally to 25. Mitchell Thompson and Lachlan East were amongst the Bridges’ best performers, as they now travel to Mernda. The trek last year brought good memories, as they overcame a four-goal deficit to win by two points.
The Demons were disappointing in going down to Lalor, having been in front midway through the last quarter, before conceding the last four goals. David Hutchinson kicked five goals in defeat, with Luke Howard, Andrew Smith and Matthew Duggan the Demons’ best performers for the afternoon.
Elsewhere in Round 11, Panton Hill faces the most daunting trip in Division 2 football as it ventures to Shelley Reserve to take on North Heidelberg. The Hillers fell to a 51-point loss the last time the sides met.
Fitzroy Stars hosts Epping at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval for the very first time and will look to return to the winners list after their four-game winning streak was ended by Diamond Creek. The Blues will be looking to break a run of five straight defeats.
Meanwhile, in-form duo Lalor and Diamond Creek meet at Lalor Reserve. The Bloods can further cement their place in the top four with a victory, while the Creekers – undefeated after two games under Brian Hardman – can move within a game of the four with a third successive victory.
