SOME TIME just after 4:30pm, Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval, Thornbury, on July 12, 2014 – the moment North Heidelberg’s unbeaten crusade ended, turning the Division 2 season right on its head.
The first half of Round 13 saw the Fitzroy Stars cap off NAIDOC Week with a stunning three-point victory over the raging flag favourite. The game went right down to the final kick of the afternoon, where a shot from Marc Lonergan, attempting to steal the game from the Stars, landed out of bounds on the full.
The 12.14 (86) to 12.11 (83) victory not only ensured that the Stars won their eighth game in a row, it also ensured that they were still, astoundingly, unbeaten at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval since its opening midway through last year.
Malcolm Dow was one of the most influential players on the ground, kicking the goal that would eventually prove to be the difference in the last quarter with a freakish set shot from outside the boundary line. Young gun Kain Proctor would also shine, kicking two goals for the afternoon.
The Dogs’ loss was their first since last year’s preliminary final, and their first loss to the Stars since Round 2, 2012. With Shane Harvey well held by Coree Thorpe, Bulldogs coach Stephen Saddington was forced to make changes to try and knock over the Stars, and it almost delivered with defender Lonergan moved into the forward line and kicking four goals in the second half. Jake Brown, Lonergan, Trent Scannell and Leigh Gilbert were the best performers for the Dogs’.
While the top two sides enjoy a week’s break, the rest of the competition is back in action. A rejuvenated Diamond Creek will look to keep its slim finals hopes alive as it hosts Epping at Coventry Oval.
The Creekers came from four goals behind in the final quarter to defeat Mernda last start, kicking 10.17 (77) to 10.13 (73) to put a huge dent in the Demons’ double chance aspirations. Four players kicked two goals for the Creekers as their victory was achieved by kicking the last four goals in 12 minutes.
They now face an Epping side simply outclassed by North Heidelberg last time out, as they lost by 81 points to the rampant Dogs, only managing 7.6 (48) to North’s 19.15 (129), despite solid contributions from Aaron Willits (three goals), Thomas Hughes and Josh Stavely.
At Schotters Road, Mernda will look to bounce back as it hosts Panton Hill. In positive news for the Demons, they were able to begin training on their new grounds during their bye week, which are due for completion in time for the start of the 2015 home and away season, located at Woodland Waters.
However, on-field matters are the most pressing issue for the Demons at the moment, having dropped three of their past four matches. In order to keep their double chance hopes alive, the Demons must simply beat the Hillers today.
Victory won’t come easy, however, with the Hillers able to boast a two- match winning streak at Schotters Road, achieved when both sides were playing in Division 3 in 2012.
The Hillers gave fourth-placed Lalor a scare a fortnight when they led by five goals at quarter time, before being overrun by the Bloods to lose by 16 points. Young gun Jonty Rushton kicked four goals for the Hillers, with Reid Staples their best performer. Had the Hillers won, it would have greatly enhanced their survival hopes.
Should Mernda lose this game, it paves the way for Lalor to potentially move within percentage of the Demons in third place. The Bloods’ comeback against Panton Hill was built off the work of Todd Hughes, who was best on ground with five goals in the hard-fought victory away from home. They now welcome Hurstbridge to Lalor Reserve.
The Bridges’ battle for survival took another hit with a 24-point loss to the Stars two weeks ago, despite a fast start. While they have lost their past two encounters to the Bloods, they took away a 10-goal victory in the last meeting at Lalor Reserve.
With one major upset already changing the course of the Division 2 season dramatically, more could turn the season completely upside down as we move into the home stretch before the finals.
