NORTH HEIDELBERG made its biggest statement yet that it is ready to make the move back into Division 1, with a 100-point drubbing of Mernda in the NFL Match of the Day.
The Dogs were simply breathtaking in their 25.8 (158) to 8.10 (58) victory over the Demons, kicking 13 straight goals to end any chance of a competitive game. 14 goal kickers shared the load for the Dogs, with John Green leading the way with five goals.
The Dogs kicked the opening five goals of the game, before Mernda briefly fought back to reduce the margin to eight points early in the second quarter. Alas, it would be the closest the Dees got all afternoon.
It was a very disappointing performance by Mernda, which could have ramifications for percentage in what is now a tight battle with the Fitzroy Stars for second position on the ladder. Les Adams and Luke Shelton (three goals) were better players for the Demons last Saturday.
Having come into the game a game and 25 per cent ahead of the Stars, the Dees now find themselves in third place, two per cent behind the Stars – thanks to their 61-point victory over Panton Hill.
The Stars were not troubled in the 15.16 (106) to 6.9 (45) win over the Hillers – a vastly different victory to their last encounter which saw the Stars prevail by a kick. This time, the work of players such as Corey Wanganeen, who was best on ground, Lionel Proctor (three goals) and Djye Morgan saw the Stars ease past the Hillers and take control of the double chance.
Fitzroy Stars now travel to Coventry Oval to take on Diamond Creek, fresh off a big victory which sees it off the bottom of the ladder.
The Creekers moved from last to sixth-place courtesy of its 15.14 (104) to 13.14 (92) victory over Hurstbridge. It was a tight game where the margin was no more than 12 points at each change.
Rikki Stephens, Brett Gutterson and Mitch Johnson kicked three goals each in Brian Hardman’s maiden victory as senior coach, while Hugh Kavanagh once again starred for the Creekers. The win also sees them remain in the finals race, sitting two games behind fourth-placed Lalor with nine rounds to go.
It doesn’t get any easier for bottom-placed Hurstbridge this week, who now hosts North Heidelberg at Ben Frilay Oval.
Daniel Francis and Aron Burns combined for seven goals in last week’s loss, and Michael and Matthew Ryan were their best players. The Bridges were 11 points in front at half time, but could not hold on to the lead.
Such is the nature of the season, had the Bridges won, they would have been just a game behind the Bloods. Instead, they now sit bottom of the ladder – with top three sides North Heidelberg, Mernda and Fitzroy Stars their next three assignments.
Lalor assumed pole position for fourth place on the ladder with a strong 30-point victory away at Epping It could have been a bigger victory, with the Bloods leading by seven goals at three quarter time before Epping finished strongly.
Shane Morrison kicked six goals and was best on ground. Beau Delcus was another strong performer and kicked two goals, along with Todd Hughes. Lalor now faces a trip to Mernda and will hold no fears after it defeated the Demons the last time it played at Mernda Recreational Reserve.
Epping now sits in the unusual position of remaining in the finals race, but could now be dragged in the relegation battle, sitting fifth, with one game separating it from both fourth and the relegation dogfight.
Daniel Moore once again was Epping’s best player, while Josh Stavely kicked five goals in an impressive performance. However, the Blues were outclassed from the outset, falling 37 points behind at half time, before winning the last quarter. The Blues now face a big game this weekend when they travel to Cracknell Reserve to take on Panton Hill.
The Hillers were last week outclassed by a Stars side which is growing in confidence weekly, and had few winners in their ten-goal loss. Nick Lowther kicked two goals, while Jeremy Gercovich and Simon Amore were good performers on the day.
Again, such is the nature of the season, a win for Panton Hill not only keeps them one step closer to ensuring survival for 2015, but also keeps them in the finals race for 2014.
