PANTON HILL condemned Mernda to relegation, Diamond Creek landed a dagger in the Fitzroy Stars’ finals chances, Thomastown kept its double chance hopes alive, while Whittlesea edged out Lalor to take top spot.
All that occurred in an eventful Round 15.
Whittlesea now has the chance to make it near impossible for Fitzroy Stars to make the finals when they meet at the Showgrounds.
The Eagles’ victory over Lalor was befitting of a 1st vs 2nd clash. A game of many momentum swings, the Bloods led by 20 points during the third, before the Eagles slowly closed in and hit the front early in the last, before a late Nathan Stefanile goal sealed the win.
Todd Behan was best on ground, while the likes of Riley Dyson, Luke Crowley and Paul Higgins – who moved onto Todd Hughes – stood up at critical moments. Andrew Fairchild kicked four goals to pass his half century for the year.
A torrid third quarter was the catalyst for Fitzroy Stars dropping a game they simply had to win against Diamond Creek at home.
Ahead by seven points at half time, the Stars conceded six goals to one to fall 27 points behind, and despite their best efforts, could not bridge the gap.
Djaran Whyman and Daniel Francis kicked three goals each, with Allan Norris, Coree Thorpe and Jamie Scott putting in good performances.
The loss means the Stars will have to win at two of their last three and rely on other results to play finals for the fourth successive season.
The door has been opened for Thomastown to secure a finals place this week should it beat Mernda and the Stars lose on the road.
Fighting for their season, the Bears were heroic at Hurstbridge last Saturday. In a game where the biggest margin was no more than a point at any of the first three changes, the Bears recorded a gripping win.
Hurstbridge half back Tyron Loader had a shot after the final siren to win the game for the home side, but his effort from 65m fell just short of the goal line.
Jacob Osei-Duro kicked three goals, with the work of James Rizzolio and the dash of Anthony Fazzari critical.
The Bears will, however, be wary of a Mernda outfit which caused the biggest upset of season 2015 in their last meeting – a 15-point victory in Round 10.
The Demons will need to improve on last week’s effort to cause another upset. Their game against Panton Hill was in stark contrast to the other games of Round 15 – a dour 11-goal scrap, very much befitting an encounter between the last and second last sides.
Les Adams, Rhys Lawrence and Krys Douglas continued their standout months for the Demons, but it was all in vain as their side now find themselves three games and percentage behind Panton Hill.
The Demons are now consigned to Division 3 – 11 months after being just a quarter away from a Grand Final appearance.
Having lost top spot, Lalor will be looking to return to the winners against Panton Hill.
Having led for much of the game, the Bloods were undone in the last quarter, but not before making one final push for victory.
Shane Jacobs cemented his place as the competition best and fairest favourite, kicking four goals from the midfield, equalling the tally of forward Todd Hughes.
The Dowell brothers and Jarrod King were also impressive in the narrow loss – just the Bloods’ fourth of the year.
The Redbacks can now focus their efforts on preparing for 2016 after comfortably accounting for Mernda. Despite the low scoring encounter, the Redbacks always looked comfortable. Jonty Rushton and Alex Dines relished the scrap, kicking two goals each, with Mitch Anderson and Daniel Haynes also enjoying good games.
The final game of the round sees local rivals Diamond Creek and Hurstbridge meet. The Demons will look to cause more carnage after outplaying Fitzroy Stars.
Jai Norman kicked five goals in a match-winning performance, with Daniel Shallard, Chris Moloney and Kieran Brick putting in standout performances.
With a win this week, the Demons would notch their fourth successive victory as they continue to make a statement of intention for 2016.
The Bridges will be relying on a victory, along with a Whittlesea win, in order to have the chance to secure a finals place next week against Panton Hill.
Aron Burns and Tom Simpson shared five of the Bridges’ eight goals last week, while Hayden Farrelly and Tyron Loader were among the best.
The two sides are split at one win each in 2015, with Diamond Creek winning the first encounter, before Hurstbridge recorded a 79-point victory in Round 10.
