ALTHOUGH the Division 2 ladder seems to be clearing up after seven rounds, Round 8 will throw another curveball to what has already been a season of twists and turns, with the top four again set to play each other.
Thomastown and Lalor meet in a top three clash at Lalor Reserve after both recorded impressive victories in Round 7 action.
The Bears were made to do it the hard way in recording their seventh straight victory as Diamond Creek threatened to upset the applecart, leading by 26 points at half time.
However, thanks to some Matthew Ferraro heroics (seven goals), as well as a best-on-ground performance from skipper Anthony Fazzari, the Bears were able to make up their half-time deficit within a quarter, before holding out for a 10-point victory.
Lalor, in the meantime, moved up to third – only percentage behind Whittlesea in the race for the double chance – with an impressive victory over Fitzroy Stars at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval.
The Bloods took advantage of some poor Stars’ kicking in front of goal as their six-goal to one second quarter was decisive in securing a 37-point victory. Todd Hughes and Scott Dowell kicked four goals each in Lalor’s big victory, while Jason Kelly and Jhye Baddeley-Kelly were their best performers.
Second and fourth will do battle at Ben Frilay Oval as Hurstbridge hosts Whittlesea – both coming off big victories last Saturday.
Whittlesea was particularly impressive in dismantling Panton Hill by 70 points, kicking 14 goals in the second and third quarters. Andrew Fairchild and Nicholas Horman combined for 12 goals, with the skipper kicking eight – including four in the third term. Both were also adjudged the Eagles’ best in a dominant display at the Whittlesea Showgrounds.
The Bridges’ display was even more dominant as they smashed Mernda to the tune of 108 points. An inaccurate third quarter, which saw the Bridges kick 4.12, was the only barrier to a bigger winning margin.
Former Heidelberg champion Blair Harvey – fresh off signing with the Bridges mid-week – was best-on-ground in his first Division 2 outing, and Chris Burton also marked his return to the side in style, booting six goals. Tom Simpson and Joel Dale were also impressive in a victory which sees the Bridges move back inside the top four and within half a game of the double chance.
They can assume a place in the top two at week’s end provided they, along with Thomastown, prevail in Round 8.
The bottom four’s meetings will have major ramifications for the losers, with the pressure already on in the race for the finals.
Fitzroy Stars hosts Panton Hill in a must-win fixture, particularly for the Stars who could potentially return to the top four with a victory.
Inaccuracy reared its ugly head for the Stars once again, as they struggled to 4.13 at half time against Lalor, kicking themselves out of the game. Peter Hood, who kicked three goals, continued his scintillating form of late and looms as a chance for the league best and fairest at this stage of the season. Clinton Edwards and Lionel Proctor were also solid contributors in their loss.
Panton Hill was brought back to earth by Whittlesea after revitalising its finals chances the week earlier against Mernda. Daniel Haynes and Alex Dines were the best performers for the Redbacks in a game where Tyler Scarce was well held, while Nicholas Lowther and Ben Finnin kicked three goals each in the loss.
The final game of the round sees Mernda – facing an increasingly urgent need to salvage its season – playing host to Diamond Creek at Schotters Road.
All three of the Demons’ goals against Hurstbridge came from debutants, as Jake Stavrevski kicked two majors after being promoted from the under-19s. Stavrevski was Mernda’s best performer, along with Brad Kairouz who is enjoying a very solid season so far.
Diamond Creek will be lamenting a missed chance to claim the major scalp of ladder-leader Thomastown. It dominated the first half to take a well deserved five-goal lead, before being overrun. Bradley Deed was the Creekers’ best player, and had solid support from Mitch Johnson who kicked three goals.
A victory to the Creekers this week would see them edge closer to the top four, potentially sitting anywhere from half a game to a solitary game behind fourth position heading into the Queen’s Birthday weekend break.
