REIGNING premier Greensborough proved to be the big winner from an intriguing Round 10, jumping two points clear atop the ladder following Macleod’s surprise draw at Montmorency.
Greensborough this weekend hosts Bundoora and will be looking for a more complete performance than the last time against the Bulls – where it led by 40 points at half time before crawling to an eight-point win.
The new ladder-leader had to endure a massive challenge from West Preston-Lakeside last Saturday, where a six-goal to one third term from the Roosters had the Boro on the ropes.
Trailing by 26 points during the last quarter, Ben Turner’s side came storming home to claim an inspired seven-point win. Nick Riddle and Matthew Fowler were instrumental, while ruckman Michael Hooper moved forward in the last term for two crucial goals.
Bundoora’s improved form deserted it in its crunch game against Lower Plenty last week – with the Bulls falling to the Bears on home soil for the first time in the club’s history.
Trailing by 21 points at quarter-time the Bulls were never in the hunt, despite five goals to Gary Moorcroft and an impressive showing by Ben Young.
Despite the 37-point defeat, the Bulls still moved up to fifth place on the ladder – albeit alphabetically, with the same points and percentage as Eltham.
Having broken through for its first win since Round 4, Lower Plenty will be looking to make further inroads on the top five when it hosts third-placed Northcote Park – a side it lost to by 84 points in Round 5.
Laurie Naismith moved forward and kicked a team-high four goals, while Heath Ayres also starred in his first venture back to Yulong Reserve since returning to the NFL. The positive form of Doug Morris continued, while Jesse Smith was also a standout for the Bears, who are now back in finals contention after keeping their season alive last week.
While the scoreboard indicated an easy victory, Northcote Park had to battle for much of its 57-point triumph over Eltham. Scores were tied midway through the third term, before the Cougars kicked away with the final nine goals of the match.
Pat O’Connell continued his rich mid-season form and his five goals made it nine from his past two starts. Ryan Pendlebury was a rock across half back in his second match for the Cougars in between Collingwood VFL duties, while Bryn Barnes-Webb was among the best in his return to the senior side.
Despite its loss in Round 10, West Preston-Lakeside will be looking to take last week’s form into a crunch match against Heidelberg at Warringal Park.
The Roosters were well served by Luke Lirosi, Kane Heaney and Steven Hiho in last week’s defeat to the Boro, while Glenn Robertson kicked four goals in his first game since Round 2.
Leigh Cole’s side was a winner against earlier Heidelberg this year, but has averaged only 66 points on the road in five away games thus far.
Eight straight goals to Paul Bower helped Heidelberg ease to 57-point victory over North Heidelberg last week, following an even first term.
Michael Brunelli was also a standout in the Tigers’ sixth win of the season, while Jordan Treloar (three goals) and Jarrod Hodgkin also performed well. The one sour point was a shoulder injury sustained by Callum Lewis.
Following its fadeout loss in Round 10, Eltham returns home to take on Montmorency – where a win could propel the Panthers back inside the top five.
Already without Tom Rogers, Eltham’s midfield stocks took another hit when Anton Woods went down early in the first quarter against Northcote Park. Things didn’t get better after half time, with ruckman Jamie Smith sustaining a serious ankle injury prior to the Cougars’ nine-goal onslaught.
Bradyn Taglieri and the Glasgow brothers fought hard all day, while Sam Zito was named among the best after an impressive game across half back.
While disappointed to not take all four points from its clash with Macleod, Montmorency showed last weekend that it remains capable of serving it up to the best in 2015.
Given little hope in the lead up to the match, the Magpies led by two goals in the final term before coming from behind late to pinch a draw. Pat Fitzgerald was a star up forward with six goals, while midfielder Stephen McCallum and veteran Daniel Keenan also excelled.
Ultimately fortunate to escape Montmorency with two points, Macleod will be looking to put in a better display when it hosts bottom-placed North Heidelberg. The pair’s Round 1 encounter resulted in a 107-point Kangaroos’ win, although North has been much better since.
Macleod gave Greensborough a handy buffer in the race for first place following last week’s slip-up, where the margin was never greater than seven points at the end of any quarter.
Lucas Hobbs tried valiantly to will his side across the line, while Nick Lynch (two goals) was important when he moved into the midfield late in the match.
Montmorency’s result means North Heidelberg must now win at least two of its final eight games in order to stave off relegation. First and foremost, the Bulldogs will be looking for a better showing against Macleod following their opening-round hiding.
The resumption of the Heidelberg derby ended in disappointment last week after a positive start, where the Bulldogs trailed by just three points at quarter time. Simon Andrews was his side’s best with five majors in Dave Florance’s final match.
