On a day which saw North Heidelberg welcome Alan Didak for a one-off game, it was another ex-AFL player who stole the show in Round 7 during the first meeting between North Heidelberg and Epping since their epic 2012 Division 2 Grand Final.
Shane Harvey was simply superb against the Blues, kicking 10 goals as the Dogs romped to a 20.10 (130) to 13.13 (91) victory. Harvey began his day with four opening quarter goals, including a burst of three in seven minutes, and added another three in the third quarter. It is the best haul in Division 2 thus far this season. Unsurprisingly, Harvey was adjudged North Heidelberg‘s best player, alongside Lachie Dowling who kicked two goals, as well as Jarrod Spurrell.
Although Epping was beaten, it had the consolation of kicking the highest score against the Dogs this season, thanks to a six-goal last quarter. Adrian Totino kicked four goals in a losing effort, with Brenton Keating and Nick Krstevski the best players for the afternoon. The result sees North Heidelberg continue to remain unbeaten, while Epping, who travels to second-placed Mernda, now clings to fourth spot with Lalor hot on its heels.
The Bloods bounced back after losing four on the trot with a 32-point victory over Panton Hill, kicking 15.11 (101) to 9.15 (69). The final margin was also the same as the first change, with Lalor piling on six goals to one to get out to a lead that would not be recovered. 12 goal kickers shared the load for the Bloods, led by Tim Keily, Todd Hughes and Scott Dowell kicking two each. Dowell, alongside Shannon Smith and Jarrod King, were Lalor’s best players for the afternoon. The Bloods now host Fitzroy Stars – where a result can propel them back into the top four.
The Hillers, for the second week in succession, were left to rue their opening quarter tardiness. After falling 10 goals down the week before, they were once again forced to play catch up football from the second quarter onwards last Saturday. Tait Forster was their only multiple goal kicker, kicking three goals for the afternoon. Reid Staples and Tyler Scarce have been two of Panton Hill’s better performers this season so far, and were once again named their best players on this occasion.
Fitzroy Stars, as was the case last season, have built into form very nicely and recorded their second win in succession with an impressive 75-point victory over Hurstbridge, kicking 23.12 (150) to the Bridges’ 10.15 (75). 13 players got on the scoresheet for the Stars, with John Hayes leading the way with five. Inspirational captain Lionel Proctor kicked four goals and was also one of Fitzroy Stars’ best players for the afternoon, along with David Welsh who kicked two goals.
The loss means Hurstbridge remains rooted to the bottom of the ladder, having now suffered six consecutive losses since beating Diamond Creek in Round 1. Aron Burns kicked three goals against the Stars, and Jack Furlong kicked two goals. James Currie and under-19s player Joel Dale, in his first game for the season, were amongst their best performers for the afternoon. The Bridges now face a big contest against Panton Hill, with a win to either side becoming crucial towards the upcoming relegation battle.
The Stars’ still sit one game behind Mernda, who themselves kept the pressure on North Heidelberg by recording a 58-point victory with a 14.20 (104) to 6.10 (46) victory over Diamond Creek, condemning the Creekers to a sixth defeat in seven games. Saul Caddy was the leading goal kicker for Mernda, kicking four, while Adrian Stefanile kicked three goals, all in the second quarter. Nicholas Brannelly maintained third on the goal kicking charts with three goals of his own. Andrew Oliver was solid, however a downside for Brett Wilson and his charges was an injury list which saw them field only 17 men in the final quarter.
The loss for Diamond Creek was their first to Mernda since Round 14, 2010. Mitch Johnson was the Creekers’ only multiple goal kicker for the afternoon, kicking two of his team’s six goals. Josh Whitehouse-Summers was dominant for the Creekers, who had Hugh Kavanagh and Ryan Burrell put in solid performances, however it was not enough to prevent defeat. As if sitting 1-6 was not enough, the Creekers now welcome unbeaten North Heidelberg to Coventry Oval in a big game for the club.
