LOWER PLENTY will look to continue its giant-killing run in Round 12 when it makes the short trip to War Memorial Park to take on new ladder-leader Greensborough in a clash between the competition’s two form sides.
Having never previously won more than two consecutive matches since returning to the top flight, the Bears extended their winning streak to four following a dominant second half against Heidelberg in Round 11.
Led by skipper Darcy Barden – who continues to stake his claim as the competition’s best player – the Bears romped to a 29-point victory to spoil the Tigers’ party in Blair Harvey’s 300th senior match. The Bears booted eight goals to one after half time to move into fourth place on the ladder.
They now take on a Greensborough side which is also brimming with confidence following its ninth victory. The Boro kept their unbeaten away streak going when they outmuscled Northcote Park at Bill Lawry Oval in a comfortable 44-point result. Ruckman Michael Hooper and defender Daniel McLinden were the standouts as the Boro claimed a third successive win over the Cougars, while youngster Chris Clark also impressed.
Having slipped to second on the ladder following a second loss at Montmorency Park this season – this time on the South Oval – Heidelberg returns to Warringal Park to host struggling Bundoora.
Despite having the best of the first half last week, the Tigers were unable to put Lower Plenty to the sword, leading by just 11 points at half time. Their chances were then seriously dented when star midfielder Michael Brunelli was stretchered from the field early in the third quarter with what looks a season-ending ankle injury. From there they were strangled on the smaller oval, finding only three goal kickers in defeat.
Bundoora suffered consecutive losses when it too suffered a fadeout against Montmorency at Yulong Reserve. Like the Tigers, the Bulls managed just two goals after quarter time in a 28-point loss. The result leaves the reigning premier’s finals hopes in danger, sitting inside the top five on percentage alone.
Both Montmorency and Macleod continue to snap at the heels of the top five and both claimed important victories ahead of a crunch game at Montmorency Park in Round 12. The Magpies snapped a two-game losing run with a gutsy away victory at Bundoora – winning without Ryan Willits who was red carded in the opening five minutes for an incident with Cameron Cloke. Captain Ryan Jackson and Jesse Donaldson were the standouts in the win.
Kicking with a stiff breeze, Macleod flew out of the blocks against Whittlesea – booting the opening seven goals to take a 38-point lead into quarter time. The lead was cut to just two points at the main break, however the Roos were able to recover to claim a 16-point home win. With Nick Lynch out injured, the Roos shared their 13 goals across nine goal kickers, led by John Andrew who was best afield with three majors.
With the aforementioned three matches all set to shape the top five, Whittlesea hosts Eltham in a game which may decide this year’s relegation battle. The Eagles remain winless in 2014, but have lost by an average of only 19 points over the past five weeks. Poor discipline cost them at crucial stages at Macleod, however they will fancy their chances this weekend with key players Andrew Fairchild, Lucas Hobbs and Jeremy Page all in good form.
An Eltham win would all but hand the Eagles this year’s wooden spoon, although the Panthers injury list continues to grow with Jay Neagle and Mat Edwards ruled out for the season, while speedster Tom Rogers was also a notable absentee against West Preston-Lakeside last week. Young guns Billy and Lewis Glasgow led the way last week, while Gavan Connelly is set to return for his first game since Round 1.
On Sunday, West Preston-Lakeside will look to strengthen its place inside the top three when it hosts Northcote Park. The Roosters overcame a strong challenge from Eltham last week to turn a two-goal half time lead into a 46-point away win. Glenn Robertson snagged six goals to take his tally to 19 from the past four weeks, while Anthony Bonaddio and Shaun Gannon controlled the midfield.
A season that promised so much for the Cougars looks set to end at Round 18 following last week’s loss to Greensborough. The 2012 premier struggled to find an avenue to goal and stayed in the game for two and half quarters on the back of solid defensive efforts from Ben McNiece and Luke Svarc, before the floodgates eventually opened as a result of Greensborough’s constant attacking pressure.
