EIGHT Division 1 teams return to action this Saturday, refreshed from a week’s rest following a bruising and competitive 2014 season to date.
Following Heidelberg’s win over Northcote Park in last week’s opening match of the Round 13 split round, Greensborough has momentarily slipped to second place on the ladder. The Boro will be searching for a swift return to top place when they visit De Winton Park to take on fourth-placed Macleod.
The Boro are yet to lose on the road in six away matches and have a point to prove following a 16-point home loss to the Roos in Round 4 – one of just two defeats they have suffered this season.
Prior to the bye they comfortably accounted for a red-hot Lower Plenty, where ruckman Michael Hooper and midfielders Jason Rogers and Matthew Fowler continued their impressive form. Cameron Jordan booted four goals in his third senior game as he looks to cement his place ahead of finals, following 23 majors in 17 appearances last year.
Macleod heads into the encounter buoyed by its first win over Montmorency at Montmorency Park in over four decades. The Kangaroos took the four points in remarkable fashion, overcoming a seven-goal deficit early in the second quarter to win by 18 points.
Cathal Corr was the dominant player on the ground, relishing the heavy conditions to finish with five goals. Justin White was back to his best and gave the visitors the lead with a 70m bomb from the centre square, while Hamish Paynter and John Andrew offered great service from midfield.
In a season-defining battle, Lower Plenty welcomes Bundoora in a game that has the potential to shape each sides’ finals prospects. The fifth-placed Bears sit one game clear of this week’s sixth-placed opponent, however the Bulls superior percentage will thrust them back in the top five if victorious.
Undermanned by a number of early injuries, Lower Plenty’s four-game winning streak was ended at Greensborough a fortnight ago. The Bears did have opportunities to upset the Boro, losing by four goals despite registering two more scoring shots on the day. After the defeat, the Bears confirmed Campbell Brown will play another two games for the club this season against Macleod (Rd 15) and West Preston-Lakeside (Rd 17).
Bundoora continues to struggle with a mounting injury list and fell to a third-successive loss against Heidelberg at Warringal Park in Round 12. The Bulls were unable to win a single quarter in the 30-point defeat, despite the best efforts of Brent Marshall, Ricky Dyson and Ned McKeown. A fourth loss this weekend could see the reigning premier slip two-games outside the top five with five rounds remaining.
Having all but assured its place in Division 1 next season, Eltham will be searching for successive wins when it hosts Montmorency.
A three-goal to nil third quarter was decisive in a low-scoring five-point win over Whittlesea prior to the break. Gavan Connelly had a huge return in his first game since Round 1, while James Kroussoratis (three goals), Brendan O’Sullivan and the Glasgow brothers, Billy and Lewis, were all instrumental in the Panthers second win over the Eagles.
Montmorency has had two weeks to ponder over its disastrous loss to Macleod and will need to respond with a win if it is any chance of featuring in another finals series. Six goals against the Roos enabled Pat Fitzgerald to take a share of third place on the goal kicking charts. There was no rest for Fitzgerald, Ryan Jackson, Jesse Donaldson and Shane Tennant last week, with all four featuring prominently in Vic Metro’s win over Vic Country in the AFL Victoria Community Cup.
With its hold on third place weakened by a loss to Northcote Park last up, West Preston-Lakeside will be desperate to return to the winners when it hosts Division 2-bound Whittlesea.
Aside from a six-goal to one second quarter, the Roosters could not contain the Cougars run and carry in the 32-point home defeat. Michael Batey and Peter Shepherd fought against the tide, while Oliver Dufficy snagged three of his side’s eight goals.
Aaron Davey will be amongst the ins for the Roosters this week as they push for their eighth win of the season.
Whittlesea looks all but certain to be relegated after it suffered its third single-digit loss for the season. The Eagles threatened to pinch their first win with the first three final-quarter goals, but were unable to land another major to snatch back the lead deep in proceedings. Ben Barker and Paul Higgins were best in another heart-breaking loss, while Andrew Fairchild booted three goals.
