THE BATTLE for spots inside the top five became even more fierce last weekend, as Montmorency and Bundoora showed they still have what it takes to compete among the top sides.
While North Heidelberg has now fallen two games off the pace, there are nine sides with realistic finals expectations as we enter the second third of the 2015 season.
With three of five games decided by just eight points last week, the remainder of the season will only become tighter as sides grapple for a place in the finals.
A clash between second and third headlines the action in Round 7, with Macleod and Northcote Park striving to keep the pressure on ladder-leader Greensborough.
Playing-assistant Nick Lynch made a successful return to the field last week and booted seven goals as the Kangaroos downed Lower Plenty at Montmorency Park.
The Roos were red-hot in the opening half as they booted 15 goals to take a 46-point lead into the main break. Jack Bianchin and Shaun Melican – in a shutdown role – were best as the Roos ran out 43-point winners.
Northcote Park claimed a third successive victory – and its first win on the road this year – when it downed North Heidelberg in Round 6. The Cougars trailed at the first break, before kicking 16 goals to six after quarter-time to win by 66.
Ash Close booted four goals in his first game since Round 1, while Wayne Schultz, Luke Svarc and Nick Carter all kept their great form going.
Lower Plenty and Heidelberg will both be desperate to claim their fourth win of the season when they met for the second time in six weeks, following the Tigers 52-point triumph at Warringal Park in Round 2.
Lower Plenty lost its second successive game last Saturday, despite Doug Morris playing his best game since joining the club. Playing as a midfielder and high forward, Morris kicked a team-high three goals in last week’s defeat against Macleod. 19-year-old defender Tom Keys continues to amaze in defence and was again in his side’s best.
Having suffered three straight defeats – including the past two at home – Heidelberg has slipped to fifth on the ladder and will fall outside the top five if it can’t get back on the winners’ list this week.
The Tigers slumped to a 26-point quarter-time deficit against Montmorency last week and couldn’t claim the four points despite pinching the lead in the last quarter. Chris Cullinan – on his senior return – and Chas Sargeant (three goals) were Heidelberg’s best.
Neighbours Greensborough and Montmorency resume their rivalry when they clash at War Memorial Park – with the Boro victorious in all three encounters against the Magpies in 2014.
After taking a 40-point lead into half-time last week, the reigning premiers received a major fright when Bundoora closed within four points in the last quarter.
In the end the Boro steadied to claim their fifth win of the year – thanks largely to another dominant effort from Tristan Stead and solid support roles from Josh Griffiths and Rhys Boyden (six goals).
Montmorency comes into this week’s encounter on the back of its best performance under Ben Haynes, as it recorded its fourth successive victory at Warringal Park.
Recruits Rowan Hore (four goals) and Stephen McCallum were standouts in heavy conditions, while Michael Fitz-Gerald and Craig Flint help lead a defence which conceded just ten goals.
Eltham is on the hunt for its third successive win when it welcomes Bundoora to Eltham Central Park, with the Panthers undefeated on their home ground in two appearances this year.
Mario Bandera’s side continued its remarkable rise last week, coming home with a wet sail to beat West Preston-Lakeside in a thriller despite trailing by 19 points at the last change.
Matthew Evans and midfielders Tom Rogers and Bradyn Taglieri were instrumental in the win, while James Krossoratis slotted another bag with five goals.
The Bulls lost no fans in their loss to Greensborough and proved to the competition they are capable of matching it with any side this year.
Matthew Dennis returned from injury and had an immediate impact – willing his side back into the contest after half time. He had solid support from Brendan Carlyon and James Lord (three goals), however several missed shots on goals denied the Bulls an upset win.
North Heidelberg is at home again this week and welcomes West Preston-Lakeside – a side it challenged for large parts of its Round 2 encounter at Preston City Oval.
As has been the case for much of this season, North began well last week but was unable to sustain its performance for four quarters. 19-year-old Zac Gleeson was a standout for the Bulldogs, as was 16-year-old Kyle Green. Shane Harvey’s three goals moved him to 15 for the season.
West Preston-Lakeside squandered a huge chance to move inside the top four following last week’s fadeout loss to Eltham, however the Roosters will be favoured to improve their record to 4-3 this week.
The Roosters were held goalless in the last quarter of last week’s defeat, where Joel McDonald, Aaron Willitts and Jacob Ramaekers were amongst the side’s best. A win this week could propel them back inside the top five.
