The A Plus Labour Solutions Division 2 competition returns from the representative break, with four massive games set to take place in Round 6.
Prior to the break, Eltham and Lower Plenty extended their lead over the remainder of the competition, with the two undefeated sides now firmly entrenched inside the top-two.
But with more than two-thirds of the season still to be played out, there is still plenty of time for the chasing pack to close the gap on the current premiership favourites.
That begins when third-placed Diamond Creek aims to become the first side to defeat Eltham when the two sides go to battle at Coventry Oval in their second outing this year.
The Creekers enter the match on the back of consecutive losses following a poor final term in their defeat to Thomastown in Round 5, where the managed just one goal for the quarter in their 30-point defeat.
Diamond Creek was down by just six points at the final change at Main Street Reserve but conceded five goals in the final term to suffer a disappointing defeat – one of its worst under Craig Hayes’ guidance.
Ryan Pingree was the only multiple goal kicker for the Creekers, whilst Daniel Shallard and Danyon Kambouris were amongst the best players in their side’s third loss of the season.
Eltham continued its unbeaten start to the year with a comprehensive 63-point win over the Fitzroy Stars at Eltham Central Park.
Thanks to five and four-goal hauls to Brandon Freeman and Paul Currie respectively, the Panthers kicked six goals in the opening term to set up the big win. Freeman’s haul took his tally to 17 goals in three weeks.
The only sour point of the victory was a serious injury to Patrick Turnbull, which made for a long delay during the first term.
Watsonia travels to Epping for the first meeting between the two sides since the 2016 Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 grand final, which the Saints won by 47 points.
Watsonia put in a spirited performance against Banyule two weeks ago, managing to stay within two goals of their fourth-placed opponent at three-quarter time, before falling by 31 points. It was a much-improved showing from the 13-goal loss to the same side in Round 1.
Kyle Kemp and Graeme Hines were also influential for the winless Saints, while Sam Peet kicked a team-high three goals.
Epping tried valiantly in its Round 5 loss to Lower Plenty but was eventually outpowered by Lower’s star players in the 49-point loss at Montmorency Park.
After a positive start, the Blues trailed by just 11 points at half time, before the home side kicked 10 goals to five after the main break.
Corey Middleton, Josh Stavely and Jake Cullen led the way for their side, while 19-year-old Tyler Peirce was the Blues’ only multiple goal kicker.
Fitzroy Stars and Thomastown meet for the second time this season when they square off at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval. The Bears were 94-point winners in their Round 3 outing.
Thomastown should enter the game with great confidence after scoring one of its best recent wins in Round 5 when it overran Diamond Creek for its second win of the year. It was a vital result for Ben Chapman’s side and keeps it firmly in touch with the top half of the ladder.
Dylan Chapman continued his outstanding season and now sits in equal-second place on the Coaches MVP leaderboard, after scoring top votes from both coaches for the second consecutive game.
Fitzroy was unable to back up its first win of the season in its 63-point loss to ladder-leader Eltham prior to the representative break.
Not even a four-goal haul from John Hayes and impressive games from Shawn Wilkey and Hedley Smith were able keep the Stars in the contest.
Banyule and Lower Plenty go head-to-head at R.J. Brockwell Oval in the first meeting between the two sides in the Northern Football Netball League.
Banyule consolidated its place inside the top-four when it made it two wins on the trot with a strong second half performance in its 31-point win over Watsonia.
Star forward James Kroussoratis was amongst the goal scorers once again, with a four-goal haul, while Matthew Yarwood and Devin McDonald found plenty of the ball and Alex Dunnachie played his best game for the year.
Starring roles from Tom Keys and Patrick Flynn ensured Lower Plenty did what was required against Epping to score its fifth-straight win to start the season. Keys went forward late and bagged four goals, while Flynn and Fraser Delbridge snagged three apiece.
Sitting two-wins and percentage inside the top-two, Lower will be looking to strengthen its grip on a double-chance in the finals when it comes up against a fellow top-four side this week.
