WITH seven rounds to go, the top four took a big step towards finals football last Saturday, with North Heidelberg, Fitzroy Stars, Mernda and Lalor all registering wins in Round 11.
Round 12 will be similar to Round 11, in that the top four will all be taking on bottom four sides. If Round 12 results were to follow those from Round 11, with all top four sides prevailing, fourth-placed Lalor would be four games ahead of fifth place – which is currently separated by percentage across Epping, Diamond Creek and Panton Hill – with only six games to go.
Realistically, if fourth place is at any risk at all, it is probably going to be the only finals spot on offer to all the chasing clubs, with Fitzroy Stars and Mernda all but securing their place in the finals series with wins over Epping and Hurstbridge respectively last week.
Lalor tightened its hold on fourth place with a solid 25-point win over Diamond Creek on a wind-dominated day at Lalor Reserve, where all 20 goals were kicked to one end. Crucially, the Bloods started with the wind, and were able to pile on 5.5 in the opening quarter, while holding Diamond Creek scoreless.
With a very good defensive effort in the second and third quarters, the Bloods were able to move 10 goals clear at three quarter time. Despite facing a Diamond Creek barrage in the last quarter, the Bloods had done enough damage.
Todd Hughes kicked three goals for the victorious Bloods, with Tim Keily, Scott Dowell and Shannon Smith their best performers. Simon Buchanan was Diamond Creek’s sole multiple goal scorer, with Chris Moloney and Nathan Searl their best players. Three games behind the top four, the task does not get easier for Diamond Creek as it welcomes third-placed Mernda.
The Demons bounced back from two consecutive losses with a 27-point victory over Hurstbridge in Round 11. The game took a very similar path to the Demons’ win at Hurstbridge earlier in the season, as the Demons jumped out the blocks quickly, before Hurstbridge fought back. However, the Demons were able to steady and continue to give the Bridges’ some nervous thoughts about Division 3 football in 2015.
Nicholas Brannelly kicked three goals, with captain Andrew Smith best afield, ably supported by David Hutchinson and under-19s player Matthew Golledge. Hurstbridge had reduced the deficit to 11 points during the third quarter, however the class of the Demons stood out at the end.
Brett Woodhouse and Michael Ryan were Hurstbridge’s best players for the afternoon, with Daniel Francis kicking three goals. The result means the final margin of the past three meetings between the sides has been 26, 26 and 27 points.
Hurstbridge now welcomes the Fitzroy Stars to Ben Frilay Oval, where the Bridges have defeated the Stars in two of their past three encounters at the ground. The Stars last week outclassed Epping in the final three quarters after the Blues took a slender quarter time lead in a 11.15 (81) to 7.7 (49) result, which means the Stars hang on to the double chance.
Only four players kicked goals for the Stars, however Patrick Davis was able to boot four goals, with John Hayes and Djye Morgan kicking three apiece. Jai Burns, Davis, and Malcolm Dow were the Stars’ best players for the afternoon.
Epping’s sixth straight loss means it remains in the relegation battle with a game against North Heidelberg to come. Daniel Moore kicked two goals, along with Jarrod Agosta, while Thomas Hughes was Epping’s best.
North Heidelberg’s winning streak improved to 11 matches with a gritty 11.11 (77) to 3.12 (30) victory over Panton Hill in a low-scoring game at Shelley Street Reserve. The damage was done by the Dogs in the opening three quarters as they piled on 11 goals to two in the wet and windy conditions, before Panton Hill put a little bit of respectability back into the scoreboard by winning the last quarter.
Shane Harvey extended his lead in the goal kicking charts by leading all comers with four goals, with Jeff Ryan kicking three. Louis Hill, Gazi Assi and Jarrod Spurrell were the Dogs’ best players in the victory, as they now look to extend their winning streak to 12 at Epping Recreational Reserve.
Panton Hill was led by Tim Duckworth, Scott Moran and Anthony Bryce in the loss, with singular goal kickers in Jarrod McGough, Brendan O’Connor and Jonty Rushton. The Hillers now host Lalor at Cracknell Reserve.
