A look at the Round 6 matches in A Plus Labour Solutions Division 2.
Round 5 will go down as one of the most one-sided weekends in the competition’s history.
Three of the four matches were won by over 100 points and the match that didn’t reach the century was still a 57-point difference. Round 6 is headlined by some intriguing fixtures that could make us forget the results of the week prior.
Third plays fourth on Saturday when the Fitzroy Stars host Lower Plenty at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval.
The sides are two of the most entertaining in the competition and their battle in Round 1 was one of the games of the season.
Smooth transitional play and ruthless attacking pressure was the mantra for the Stars in their 57-point victory over Thomastown. Surprisingly, the Stars slipped to third on the ladder due to the superior percentage of North Heidelberg.
The Stars piled on seven first-quarter goals to set up the victory. Vassili Tuifao led the way with six goals, while Max Maynard, Lionel Proctor and Clinton Edwards also had stellar games as their side won its fourth-straight game.
Lower Plenty recorded its biggest win since Round 15, 2015 as it ended a two-game losing streak with a 115-point triumph over Lalor. The Bears controlled the match from the start, but it was the 13-goal to two goal second half that really amplified the margin.
After missing his side’s previous loss, Darcy Barden was instrumental in his return with eight goals, while Mark Favrin chimed in with four. Fabian Dorbolo also found plenty of the football.
Top of the table Diamond Creek will be looking to remain the competition’s pace setter when it hosts Watsonia at Coventry Oval.
The Demons are undefeated since their entertaining Round 1 loss to North Heidelberg and sit atop the ladder with a percentage of 216.60.
They brought up their second triple-digit victory for the season when they defeated Panton Hill by 131 points in Round 5.
Jess Cosaitis moved into second spot on the goal kicking leader board with seven goals, while Jai Norman and Oliver Parks both contributed four majors in the win at Cracknell Reserve.
Jacob Booth continued his fantastic start to the season and was among his side’s best players for the third time this year, capping his performance with three goals.
Watsonia will be looking to bounce back from a big home loss to North Heidelberg.
The Saints have been impressive in their return to second division, winning two games and sitting sixth on the ladder, however were unable to contain the Bulldogs.
Watsonia was goalless in the opening term and only managed to kick four goals for the game, with their final score one point less than North Heidelberg’s quarter time total.
Despite the defeat, Matthew Crompton continues to lead strongly from the front and again tried valiantly. Jarryd Allan and Ben Sutherland were also among the Saints’ better players, while Kelby White played his best game for the club.
North Heidelberg moved back into second position on the table after a 126-point victory over Watsonia and now takes on a Panton Hill side looking for its first victory.
With his brother Shane out injured, Brent Harvey put on a clinic at A.K. Lines Reserve and finished with seven goals in a best on ground performance.
Leigh Gilbert was also handy for the Bulldogs, kicking four majors, while the Tardio brothers were again in their side’s best players.
The Bulldogs spread of goal kickers was a major positive, with 10 players getting among the goals in the percentage-boosting win, with five players kicking multiple goals.
With Mitch Anderson sidelined, Panton Hill struggled to contain the talls of Diamond Creek in last week’s big loss in the twilight game.
Scott Conte was the Redbacks’ best performer, kicking a goal and competing in the midfield, while Matthew Hunt and Dane Robertson gave their all on a difficult day for the side.
Lalor and Thomastown will be looking to return to the winners’ list when they clash at Lalor Reserve.
The Bloods will be looking for an improved performance after struggling to compete with Lower Plenty. Shane Jacobs and Jhye Baddeley-Kelly again proved they are the Bloods’ best players, while Harley Nancarrow kicked two of his side’s five goals.
A poor start put the Bears on the back foot against the Fitzroy Stars, losing their third-straight game. However, Thomastown showed fight by outscoring the Stars in the final term.
Matthew Vasilevski, David Folino and Ricky Mercuri were the shining lights for the Bears, who surprisingly moved up to fifth position on the ladder because of results in other games.
Thomastown has had the wood over Lalor in recent times, winning three of their past four clashes, including their Round 1 encounter at the venue by 39 points.
