FITZROY Stars host North Heidelberg in this weekend’s stand alone Division 2 clash at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval.
It looms as the ideal clash in the opening week of second division’s split round over Round 13.
First-placed North Heidelberg, the team who has conquered all to this point, against the second-placed Fitzroy Stars, who have been building nicely after a slow start, where they lost two of their opening five games after playing off in last year’s Grand Final.
It promises to be a vastly different meeting to that of Round 1 – a match which saw the Bulldogs make their intentions for 2014 extremely clear with a 14-goal drubbing of the Stars at Shelley Street Reserve.
Fortunes for the Stars have changed since that earlier meeting, with the club claiming wins in six of its past seven games, since getting overrun when undermanned against Mernda in Round 5.
Big names such as Malcolm Dow, Lionel Proctor and John Hayes have yet again been behind the Stars’ run to the double chance thus far this season, while the club’s potent forwards in Patrick Davis, Allan Murray and Djaran Whyman are starting to near full fitness after interrupted starts to the year.
The Stars fitness in matches has come to the fore this season, having come from behind at three quarter time on three separate occasions to claim big wins.
In Round 2 they came from two goals behind Diamond Creek late in the piece to win with the last kick of the day. It was a similar tale against Panton Hill in Round 4, when the Stars overturned a three-goal deficit at the last change to claim victory with 30 seconds remaining.
In Round 8, the club produced an eight-goal to three final quarter to edge past in-form Lalor away from home. And as recently as last Saturday, the Stars booted seven goals to two to beat Hurstbridge by 31 points. It was a sensational effort given the side had no interchange rotations in the last quarter.
While the slow starts would concern coach Travis Hodgson and his assistants, the club must also be thrilled with the playing group’s ability to fight and scrap until the final siren.
For all the talk of the Stars’ attacking style, North Heidelberg has a forward line which is currently the envy of all others in the competition.
Shane Harvey, Lachlan Dowling and Leigh Gilbert have dominated the goal kicking charts in season 2014, combing for 137 goals to sit first, second and fifth respectively on the goal kicking ladder.
North also boasts some big names around the field such as Jeff Ryan, David Florance and Marc Lonergan to complement their extremely talented forward line.
The Bulldogs have scored an average of 128 points a game in 2014, having kicked 359 points more than the league’s second-highest scoring team, this week’s opponent Fitzroy.
Defensively, North has been just as impressive. The ladder-leader has coughed up only a measly 720 points in its 12 match – also ranked first in the competition.
Defenders Lonergan and Jarrod Spurrell are holding up the key defensive posts, while the attacking run off half back from Gazi Assi and co often leads to coast the coast plays for the star-studded side.
The last meeting between the two sides at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval, played late last season, was a classic. The end result was a draw following Corey Wanganeen’s goal after the final siren.
It remains the only time the Stars have not won at the ground since moving back to their spiritual home midway through the 2013 season.
With a win this Saturday, the Dogs would all but secure the minor premiership – if they have not already done so.
On the flipside, the Stars would be favourites to secure the double chance ahead of Mernda and Lalor if they can inflict upon North its first defeat of the year. A loss, however, could see just one game separate second and fourth as we enter the home straight before finals.
It promises to be a belter at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval.
Fitzroy Stars
9 wins – 3 losses
Ladder Position – 2nd
Points For – 1176, Average For – 98
Points Against – 996, Average Against – 83
Average Winning Margin – 36
Average Losing Margin – 47
Leading Goalkicker – John Hayes (33)
North Heidelberg
12 wins – 0 losses
Ladder Position: 1st
Points For – 1535, Average For – 128
Points Against – 720, Average Against – 68
Average Winning Margin – 68
Average Losing Margin – N/A
Leading Goalkicker – Shane Harvey (65)
