We’re on the home stretch of what’s been a cracking Division 2 season, with the relegation battle one of the most intense in NFL history.
With four games to go, just one game and seven per cent separate fifth-placed Panton Hill to last placed Hurstbridge, with some big games ahead to determine who stays up and who goes down to Division 3 in 2015.
Indeed, it is nervous times for those involved, although Panton Hill was able to revel in a victory last weekend.
With other results also going their way, the Hillers’ 35-point victory at Hurstbridge lifted them from seventh to fifth, set up by a seven-goal third quarter.
Panton Hill brought in 2013 Grand Final heroes Joffa Byron and Zac Williams for the first time this year, and while they didn’t have a major impact on the game, the Hillers have shown they are more than capable of hanging around in Division 2.
On the back of performances from Tyler Scarce and Jarrod McGough – the best man on the ground in this particular game with four goals – the Hillers seem deserving of a longer stay in second division, although have a lot of work to do to ensure their survival given the small gap between fifth and eighth.
Daniel Francis and Tom Simpson kicked two goals each for the Bridges, with James Currie and Joel Dale their best players. Such is the nature of the season, a victory for the Bridges would have left them percentage out of fifth place, and would have consigned the Hillers to the bottom.
Mernda pushed aside its recent fadeout woes, putting in one of its better performances in a 14.9 (93) to 6.16 (52) away victory over Epping.
The Demons’ victory was built off the grunt work of under-19s player Riley Black, Jack Bianchin and Anthony Volpe, with Brent Gallachio reaping the rewards by kicking six goals. Epping’s six goals came from six different players, although Shane Wood, Peter McMahon and Aaron Willits were solid in defeat.
Fitzroy Stars continues to hold the double finals chance following a clinical 10-goal victory over Lalor.
Patrick Davis kicked seven goals for the Stars, his best haul for the season, with Alex Isailovic adding three. Jai Burns, Allan Murray and Malcolm Dow were also strong performers.
For the Bloods, Todd Hughes kicked two goals, making it 33 goals for the season, while Shannon Smith was also a solid performer.
North Heidelberg returned to its clinical best after receiving its first loss a match prior, with a clinical 73-point win over Diamond Creek. The Dogs piled on nine of the first 10 goals, before weathering a mini Diamond Creek fightback to power away in the second half.
Once again, their three big name forwards – Lachlan Dowling, Leigh Gilbert and Shane Harvey – dominated the scoresheet with 13 of the Dogs’ 19 goals. Gazi Assi and Jordan Kruger were also instrumental.
For the Creekers, Mitch Johnson and Luke Campitelli kicked two goals each, with Chris Burton and Hugh Kavanagh their best performers.
This week, the match of the round pits third against fourth, with Mernda hosting Lalor at Schotters Road.
This year’s encounters are split at one apiece, with Lalor powering away in the last quarter last time out to snare a 17-point victory. A win for Mernda guarantees a third placed finish at worst, yet also keeps them in the frame for the double chance.
Diamond Creek hosts Fitzroy Stars at Coventry Oval, where the Stars will look to maintain their one game gap over Mernda in second position.
The encounters are also split at one apiece this year, with the Stars prevailing by four points in Round 2, before the Creekers’ shock 14-point win last time out.
In a massive eight-point encounter for both clubs, Panton Hill welcomes Epping to Cracknell Reserve.
Similar to the previously mentioned games, the ledger is also shared at one-all in 2014 encounters. Both clubs will undoubtedly go hard to snare their fifth win of the season, which would almost secure their survival for 2015.
Last but not least, first plays last when North Heidelberg hosts Hurstbridge at Shelley Street Reserve.
The Bridges were competitive against the Dogs earlier in the season, losing by 35 points, however, the challenge will be to nullify Shane Harvey, who kicked 10 goals in the corresponding game in Round 10.
