With only two wins separating third to sixth place, it looms as another enticing weekend in A Plus Labour Solutions Division 2.
Eltham remains the only unbeaten side in the competition and will be favoured to keep its perfect record intact when it hosts Watsonia.
The Panthers put in a clinical second-half display in their 36-point win over Lower Plenty in the top-of-the-table clash. Trailing by two points at half time, Eltham kept Lower to just two behinds in the third term to set up the impressive win – pushing two wins clear atop the table.
Brent Macaffer’s influence was profound, bagging four goals. He was helped by Lewis Glasgow, Tim Currie and Tom Rogers – who all stepped up to turn the tide in their side’s favour, with Anton Woods, Brandon Freeman, Paul Currie and Daniel Coffield all sidelined.
Watsonia is still yet to register a win after falling for its eighth loss of the season to Thomastown to the tune of 95 points last weekend. The Saints were down by only seven points at the first break but managed just five of the last 23 goals.
Leon Danicic, Kieran Sheehan and Michael Crompton led the way for Watsonia in a disappointing day and they will need greater support this weekend against an Eltham side in dominant form.
Lower Plenty hosts Diamond Creek at Montmorency Park in a match between sides placed second and third on the ladder. It looms as a crucial game as both sides hunt a double chance in the finals.
After a strong first half, Lower Plenty was eventually outclassed by Eltham last weekend, managing just one goal after half time as it succumbed to its first loss of the season.
Ciaran Porter was the only multiple goal kicker for Lower with two majors, whilst Tom Keys was his side’s best player and always looked a cut above with his play through the middle.
Diamond Creek had a far more positive outing in Round 8 and recorded its second consecutive win against Banyule. The 49-point triumph was one of the club’s best performances this season.
Jess Cosaitis came up big once again, improving on his previous round’s five-goal haul with a bag of six. Cosaitis now sits clear atop the goal kicking table with 32 majors, seven ahead of Banyule’s James Kroussoratis.
Cosaitis was well supported by strong contributions by Rory Kavanagh, Ty Franks and Micheal McKenzie, who played big roles in the result which saw Diamond Creek move within two games of second spot.
Fitzroy Stars and Banyule lock horns for the first time and both sides will look to turn their fortunes at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval after heavy losses in Round 8.
The Stars were soundly beaten by Epping by 79 points, with the damage done in the first quarter where the Stars failed to score and fell 48 points behind their host. The second quarter saw improvement, with five goals to one, but it was all downhill after half time.
Alister Thorpe, Shawn Wilkey and Keith Morgan led the way for the Stars in the disappointing loss, while Steven Stallion, Clinton Benjamin and Marc Demaria each bagged two goals.
The return of Brent Stanton, Mannon Johnston, Michael Italia couldn’t lift Banyule in Round 8, with last year’s third division premier suffering a 49-point loss to Diamond Creek at Coventry Oval.
The Bears were on the back foot early and trailed by 18 points at the first break, with the deficit ballooning to 58 by three-quarter time. A win in the final quarter saw them reduce the margin and limit the final damage.
Riley Hogarth and former Essendon duo Scott Gumbleton and Brent Stanton were among their side’s best on a day where inaccuracy and poor decision making proved costly.
Thomastown and Epping go to battle in a match pitting fourth against sixth at Main Street Recreation Reserve. Both sides take in great confidence following big wins last weekend.
Thomastown was unstoppable after quarter time in its win over Watsonia, kicking 18 goals in the final three quarters to set up percentage-boosting win that propelled the club into the top-four, ahead of Banyule.
Josh Beare, Matthew Dirkx and Adrian Natoli featured among the best players, while there were many avenues to goal, with seven multiple goal kickers. Salvatore Mamone, Rodney Carruthers, Anthony Capeci and Matthew Ferraro each kicked three goals.
Epping had a similarly dominant performance in Round 8. The last time the Blues faced Fitzroy, it was the Stars who were victorious by a solitary point. However, Epping ensured history didn’t repeat itself, producing its most commanding performance of 2018.
Damon Marcon and Dallyce Taylor were monumental and each kicked five goals. They were aided by strong contributions of Alec Buchan and Leigh Judd, who continued stellar campaigns with starring roles to guide their side to its third win of the year.
