SIX rounds, five teams, four spots. That’s the outline for Division 2 for the remainder of the 2015 home and away season.
Top of the agenda for Round 13 is the top-four clash between Hurstbridge and Lalor at Ben Frilay Oval – a fixture which has seen Lalor salute in its last three encounters at the ground.
The Bridges – albeit only just – maintained top spot with a thrilling five-point victory at Cracknell Reserve over Panton Hill last weekend.
Twenty-two points ahead at three quarter time, the Bridges stopped to a walk in the last term, kicking five points as the Redbacks piled on 3.4.
Jack Furlong kicked four of the Bridges’ seven goals for the match, while John Kreuzer relished the absence of Tristan Kreymborg, and starred for the second successive week. Joel Dale was also pivotal in his first game back in the senior side after a stint in the under-19s.
Meanwhile, Lalor was clinical in a 29-point victory over Diamond Creek at Lalor Reserve.
The Bloods’ charged to a 27-point quarter-time lead and led by as much as 56 at three-quarter-time, before the Creekers’ put some respectability back into the scoreboard with a five-goal to one final quarter.
The Bloods welcomed Nick Sandy into their line-up following his mid-week signing, and he made a solid start, kicking two goals.
His inclusion makes a potent forward line extremely dangerous, with Todd Hughes kicking four goals as he reduced the margin to just three goals in his battle with Matthew Ferraro for the leading goal kicking award.
The two Jarrods – Parry and King – were outstanding in victory, while Jackson Freebairn also enjoyed a solid outing for the Bloods.
Fitzroy Stars host Thomastown for the first time at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval in the other pivotal Round 13 match, with both sides both coming in on the back of excellent victories.
The Stars put on a wet weather clinic in the Schotters Road slush, shooting to a 42-point quarter-time lead, before easing to a 64-point victory over Mernda.
John Hayes and Djaran Whyman kicked three goals each for the Stars, with a number of players – namely Daniel Francis, Jai Burns and Peter Hood – relishing the muddy conditions.
The Bears – in the face of recent adversity and injuries – scored a crucial victory over Whittlesea which kept alive their minor premiership hopes, despite a wasteful second quarter which yielded 1.8.
Only holding a two-point lead at the last change following a familiar Whittlesea third-quarter charge, the Bears held firm in the last to prevail by nine points.
The return of Jacob Osei-Duro from injury yielded dividends for the Bears, kicking three goals, with Tristain Harrower, James Rizzolio and Matthew Ferraro each kicking two. Lukas Fellows continued a solid three-week period, with Rizzolio and Daniel Chadwick also starring for the Bears.
Local bragging rights are up for grabs when Whittlesea hosts Mernda at the Showgrounds.
The Eagles were left to rue a final quarter which yielded nine straight behinds, reducing their advantage over the Fitzroy Stars to only a game and percentage.
Matt Dornauf continued his stellar season for the Eagles, contributing two goals, with Andrew Fairchild booting three goals. Jay Russell and Jordan Ormerod were also solid in a loss which hurts their side’s chances of securing the double chance.
Apart from the shocking opening quarter, Mernda was relatively competitive in the final three quarters against the Stars, but had dug itself a very muddy hole it couldn’t get out of.
Daniel Bryant – playing only his second game for the season after injury – was outstanding, with Luke Marum and Krys Douglas continuing their stellar form.
The final game of Round 13 sees Panton Hill travel to Diamond Creek in a battle which pits sixth against seventh.
The Redbacks last week produced a last quarter charge of which we’ve recently become accustomed to. However, for the second time in three weeks, they only narrowly failed to snatch the four points.
Ben Finnin kicked three goals in an inspired display, while Jason Evans and Andrew Schadendorff were pivotal in getting the Redbacks back into the game – where a win would have seen them move into sixth.
Diamond Creek was outpointed throughout the first and third quarters, but won the second and fourth stanzas against Lalor.
Reserves leading goal kicker Andrew Gray was promoted to the seniors and kicked four goals, with Chris Moloney best for the Demons kicking two. Ben Wescott and Tim Chapman were also among the best.
