ROUND 4 looms as a defining match-day for a number of top-flight sides, with early-season wins at a premium in what shapes as an even competition in Division 1.
ANZAC Day provided a close round of results, with four of five matches decided by less than five goals – the other result being Greensborough’s 38-point win over Northcote Park for the Neale ‘Cowboy’ Carroll Cup.
This weekend, the competition’s only undefeated side Heidelberg travels to West Preston-Lakeside for the first game of the year at J.E. Moore Park – a venue which has hosted many close matches between these sides in recent seasons.
The Tigers moved into first place after escaping with a two-point win over Macleod in the top-of-the-table clash at Warringal Park. After leading all day, the Tigers fell behind late and needed a last-gasp bomb from Kieran Andrew to secure their third straight win. The goal capped off a great day for Andrew, who was best afield ahead of Josh Gribben and Daniel Archer.
West Preston-Lakeside couldn’t muster a goal in the final term as it fell to a 15-point loss at Bundoora last week. It was a close affair throughout, with the Roosters trailing by a goal or less at each of the first three breaks. Youngster Adam Valeri was amongst the best for a second successive week, alongside Brad Sanderson and Shaun Gannon. Having missed the past two matches, David Rodan could be a key inclusion this week.
It’s a crunch game when Montmorency travels to Bill Lawry Oval to take on Northcote Park, with both sides going into the game with 1-2 records. The past two matches between the sides at this venue have ended in one-point victories to the Cougars.
Despite the return of skipper Bronik Davies for his first game of 2015, Northcote Park was no match for Greensborough in Round 3. The Cougars were again on the back foot early, falling five-goals behind in the first term, and unable to bridge the gap despite strong efforts from Wayne Schultz, Tom Walliss and Harmit Singh.
A five-goal to one second quarter saw Montmorency head into half time 44 points behind Eltham in its traditional ANZAC round clash. Strong showings from Jesse Donaldson, Ben Fennell and Liam Nunan helped the Magpies halve the margin by three-quarter time, but it wasn’t enough as they succumbed to their first defeat to the Panthers since 2012.
Full of confidence after back-to-back wins Eltham again heads to Para Rd, this time to take on fellow 2-1 side Lower Plenty, where the winner will further entrench itself inside the top five.
The competition’s most improved side over the opening three rounds, the Panthers have an opportunity to level last year’s wins tally if they can record a third-straight win. Co-captain Josh Merkel was outstanding in the win over Montmorency with seven goals, as were Anton Woods, Bradyn Taglieri and Billy Glasgow.
Without a host of its injured stars, Lower Plenty found a way to grind out a tough win at North Heidelberg last week – overcoming a three-quarter time deficit to win by 26 points. Matthew Vasilevski continued the form which saw him claim last year’s Frank Rosbrook Trophy, with solid support from Matthew Duckworth and in-form defender Cameron Elmore.
With its first win for the season banked, Bundoora faces a tough road trip when it faces a Macleod outfit on the rebound from its first loss of the year.
In his first game for the season, reigning best and fairest winner Kent Delbridge led the way for the Bulls last Saturday, kicking four goals in a best on ground performance. Dale Marshall continued his impressive start to his senior football career, while Brenton Keating continued to thrive after switching from Epping.
Macleod was gallant in the defeat but, ultimately, made to pay for a poor second term which left it 24 points in arrears at half time. Midfielders Hamish Paynter and Lucas Hobbs were again named in the best, while young gun Laurence Schubert offered plenty of drive.
The reigning Division 1 premier meets last year’s Division 2 premier when Greensborough hosts North Heidelberg at War Memorial Park.
Dominant performances from defenders Daniel McLinden, Matthew Hyde and Brent Ryan ensured the Boro restricted Northcote Park to just seven goals in last week’s win, while Josh Grubb, Rhys Boyden and Tristan Stead each booted three goals as Greensborough moved up to third place.
Despite another loss, North Heidelberg’s performances are improving by the week after a tough initiation back to the top flight. Last week Marc Lonergan, Jarrod Spurrell and Matthew Mahony all performed strongly in a fadeout loss to Lower Plenty, where the Bears kicked five-goals to one in the last stanza.
