IT’S crunch time in Round 10 for teams positioned third to sixth on the ladder, while the top two face off against the bottom two for a second consecutive week.
Hurstbridge travels to Coventry Oval to take on Diamond Creek after winning what was arguably the game of the season against the Fitzroy Stars in Round 9.
In a see-sawing game, which saw multiple lead changes and momentum shifts aplenty, the Bridges held on to record an important victory which sees their top two ambitions remain well and truly alive.
Stand-in captain Tom Grimes kicked the goal which would end up deciding the game as Hurstbridge held on after a late barrage from the Stars, which saw them record three behinds.
Tom Simpson, Brayden Shaw and the returning Aron Burns kicked three goals each, while the outstanding seasons of Jarrod Tilley and Tyron Loader continued in the tense victory.
Meantime, Diamond Creek’s finals ambitions took a big blow, with an inaccurate opening half, combined with a third-quarter Whittlesea charge, costing the Demons dearly in a 20-point loss.
The Demons were nine points up at half time, but a seven-goal to two third quarter put pay to any chance of reducing the gap between the Eagles, Stars and Demons to percentage only. Hugh Kavanagh was terrific once again, while Jai Norman and Trent Fallon kicked two goals each.
Just as it is an important game for the Bridges to keep their top two hopes alive, so it is for the Demons who need a victory to remain in the race for the top four.
The fixture earlier this year saw Diamond Creek take away its best victory of the season, in a 15-point result at Ben Frilay Oval.
Whittlesea and Fitzroy Stars also partake in an important fixture which could be pivotal in the finals race.
A win to the home side at Whittlesea Showgrounds will see the Eagles move two games clear of the Stars, while a Stars victory closes the gap to percentage.
The Eagles’ victory over Diamond Creek was built off the back of five goals from Brenton Briffa, with Jordan Ormerod prominent once moved into the midfield from defence. Joel Bramble and the returning Scott McAuliffe were also named amongst the best in their victory.
The Stars were left to rue losing the lead twice in the last quarter, after a Clint Edwards goal put them 11 points up early in the last stanza. Edwards kicked three goals, while Peter Hood racked up plenty of the football.
Last time these two sides met at the Showgrounds, we were treated to a classic, as Whittlesea recovered from a 54-point three quarter time deficit to overrun the Stars with a 13-goal last quarter.
Top meets bottom as Thomastown plays Mernda at Main Street Reserve, with the Bears maintaining their six-point advantage atop the ladder after a solid 47-point victory at Panton Hill.
A six-goal to two second quarter was the catalyst for the Bears, who were once again able to provide silver service to leading goal kicker Matthew Ferraro, who finished with five goals. The work of Adrian Natoli and Matthew Cupo was pivotal in the victory.
Mernda was unable to maintain its solid first quarter form in its loss to Lalor, but the 58-point defeat had a silver lining, with many young players putting in solid performances.
Off the back of the efforts of Matthew Golledge and James Maraschiello, the Demons were able to hold a slim quarter time lead, before the Bloods took hold with 10 of the next 13 goals. Brad Kairouz was also good for the Demons, who have slumped to 0-9.
Mernda made Thomastown earn victory in the sides’ last meeting in Round 5, leading at half time before the Bears kicked away in the third quarter. Ferraro kicked eight goals in that meeting and will be relishing a chance to kick another big bag.
The final game of Round 10 sees Lalor travel to Panton Hill, with the Redbacks desperate to establish a three-game cushion over Mernda ahead of a crunch meeting with the Demons next week.
The Redbacks – sans Ben Finnin – were forced to call upon former captain Will Box and Tristan Kreymborg in their meeting with Thomastown.
While the Redbacks were able to generate scoring opportunities, a 1.5 opening quarter hurt any chance they had of upsetting the ladder leader. Jarrod McGough and Daniel Haynes kicked two goals each, while Thomas Blake enjoyed another solid outing.
Despite converting only 17 of their 40 scoring shots, the Bloods eased to victory against Mernda. Todd Hughes kicked another five goals to keep the pressure on Ferraro in the goal kicking charts, while Shane Jacobs was again best on ground, accumulating possessions at will and kicking three goals.
Since the Redbacks’ promotion from Division 3 in 2013, the sides have shared many tight encounters, with the most recent clash a 10-point Lalor victory earlier this season.
