THE wet conditions did nothing to dampen the quality of football served up in Round 4 and this week’s round of action again provides a number of huge matches in Division 1.
On the back of last week’s results, Heidelberg jumped to outright first despite pre-season speculation of a slide in 2014, while West Preston-Lakeside and Macleod recorded vital away wins to strengthen their positions inside the top five.
De Winton Park hosts arguably the biggest game of the weekend where Macleod will look to secure its fourth win in succession when it hosts Bundoora. The Roos led at every change in last week’s 16-point win at Greensborough, staving off a final-quarter challenge by the Boro.
Hamish Paynter and Hayden Seivers both continued their red hot form, with Paynter named his side’s best player for the third time this season. 23rd player Reid Brandt kicked three goals and proved a handy foil to Nick Lynch and Mathew Pow in the absence of Justin White.
Bundoora succumbed to its first loss of the season when it was overrun by a youthful West Preston-Lakeside outfit at Yulong Reserve. The Bulls couldn’t quite handle the Roosters defensive pressure and managed just one goal in the final term. Kent Delbridge was his side’s best for the second successive week, while star ruckman Matthew Dennis sustained an injury late in the game and is set to face a period on the sidelines.
Following its first loss of the season, Greensborough again plays at War Memorial Park when it hosts seventh-placed Northcote Park for the Neale ‘Cowboy’ Carroll Cup. The Boro closed to within nine points of Macleod midway through the final quarter after trailing by four goals at the final break, before running out of gas. Lachlan McQuilken led from the front in the loss, while Brent Ryan, Matt Fowler and Sean Salmon continued their promising starts to the year.
Northcote Park registered its first win of the season in thrilling circumstances last week and will look to build momentum at Greensborough in Round 5, despite close losses at the ground over the past two years. The Cougars led for a total of four minutes in their one-point win over Montmorency last Saturday. Trailing by 30 points midway through the third term, they booted the final five goals of the game and took the lead at the 29-minute mark of the last quarter, courtesy of a Julian Violato goal.
Losses to Bundoora and Greensborough enabled Heidelberg to move four points clear atop the ladder, who will now look to stabilise that buffer when it host Lower Plenty at Warringal Park. The Tigers won all four quarters in last weekend’s 48-point victory at Eltham, where the team’s 17 goals were shared by 11 goal kickers. Ruckman Michael Finn was best in the win, while youngster Masaki Miki, Chas Sargeant and Luke Hodgkin all played important roles.
Lower Plenty improved its record to 2-2 after four rounds following last week’s eight-goal win over Whittlesea, it’s second home victory of the year. The Bears never looked trouble after racing to a 23-point lead at quarter time. Big men Cameron Elmore and Darcy Barden were significant performers, alongside usual suspects Matt Vasilevski and Bill Barden. The Bears will hold no fear travelling to Warringal Park, following last year’s seven-point win at the ground.
West Preston-Lakeside will be favourite to win its third game of the season when it takes on winless Eltham at J.E. Moore Park. The Roosters could hardly have been more impressive in last week’s 12-point win at Bundoora, where they rallied from behind to kick the last three goals of the game. The defence, led by Ali Fahour, Luke McKenna and Nathan Valladaras, played a noteworthy part in the win.
Eltham’s 32-year losing streak to Heidelberg continued despite a spirited performance from the under-manned Panthers. Matthew Keys and Lachie Richardson were their side’s best, while Nick Tieri kicked a team-high three goals.
Montmorency managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory at Bill Lawry Oval last Saturday, surrendering a golden opportunity to move within two points of the top five. The Magpies failed to kick a goal after the nine-minute mark of the third term and managed just three behinds in the final quarter to Northcote Park’s 3.4. It was the second straight time the Magpies have surrendered a five-goal lead to the Cougars. They will look to bounce back at home to Whittlesea this week.
The Eagles remain in ninth place on the ladder without a win after a disappointing performance against Lower Plenty, where they managed just two goals in the opening half. Their efforts improved in the second half but the damage had been done. Lucas Hobbs was his side’s best in defeat, snaring five goals.
