The upset results continued in Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 last weekend, with Northcote Park emerging as the new ladder-leader after ten rounds.
Macleod’s surprise loss to Hurstbridge saw the Kangas slip from top spot on the ladder, with the Bridges remaining within one game of the top-five, having now beaten both of last season’s grand finalists.
Bundoora made a timely return to form to remain locked in fourth-place, while Greensborough’s three-point win over Montmorency looms as having a massive impact on finals standings at the end of the year.
A Montmorency win would have put it one-win inside the top-five. In stark contrast, the loss now leaves them percentage and percentage from the top-half of the ladder.
It’s a top-three affair when West Preston-Lakeside hosts Northcote Park at J.E Moore Park in what looms as the game of the round.
Leading by 10 points at half time, the Roosters produced a strong second half to overpower Whittlesea by 61 points at the Whittlesea Showgrounds last Saturday – strengthening their hold on third place.
With Andrew Walker sidelined, Garrett McDonagh produced a dominant performance to finish with five majors. Luke Lirosi and Adam Valeri also contributed heavily to the victory, while four goals to Patrick Karnezis improved his season’s tally to 23.
Having spent the past three weeks on the road, West Preston-Lakeside will relish a return to its home ground ahead of an important month before their Round 14 bye. A good run of form can set up the Roosters in their push for a double chance in the finals.
Northcote Park continued its dominant form with a commanding 54-point win over Eltham last weekend. The ladder-leader has scored five wins by margins greater than 50 points this year, with its strong percentage catapulting it above Macleod at the top of the table.
After a tight opening quarter, the Cougars put their foot down after the first break – kicking 14 of the final 19 goals to record their eighth win of the season. Marty Hore was a late inclusion and produced a best-on-ground showing, while Ash Close and Jackson Starcevich combined for seven goals.
The sides produced a classic under lights in Round 1 when the Roosters kicked nine of the last 10 goals to steal a stunning 10-point win after trailing by as much as 42 points during the third term.
Greensborough and Macleod resume their strong rivalry when they meet at War Memorial Park.
Greensborough stole victory from the jaws of defeat at Montmorency last week to score its fifth win in succession. After starting the year 0-5, last year’s preliminary finalist has now moved a win and percentage clear inside the top-five.
The Boro trailed by 21 points during the third quarter at Montmorency Park and looked destined to fall to defeat when the Magpies kicked the opening goal of the final term. However, the Boro were able to mount a massive revival in the final 15 minutes and finished with four of the final five goals.
Josh Callaway was pivotal in turning the game back in Greensborough’s favour and kicked two clutch goals in the second half – including the match-winner with just minutes remaining. Defenders Michael Croxford and Adrian Cataldo, along with Jason Rogers, were also important.
With Lucas Hobbs, Cathal Corr and Reece Geary all sidelined and without any interchange rotations in the final quarter, Macleod suffered a surprise home loss to Hurstbridge. The Roos led by 33 points at the main break, but were overrun by last year’s Division 2 premier.
Surprisingly both of Macleod’s losses this year have come against sides inside the bottom half of the ladder and on both occasions the Roos have coughed up handy leads. In Round 6 they managed only two second-half goals, while last week they were kept to just one after half time.
Hamish Paynter and Ned McKeown again gave their all in defeat. Both have featured among Macleod’s best players in each of the past four games and will be leading contenders to take out the Roos’ club champion award this year.
Hurstbridge will be looking to continue its giant-killing run when it hosts Bundoora at Ben Frilay Oval.
The Bridges continue to provide the feel-good story of 2017 and must be kept in finals calculations in their first season back in the top-flight following last year’s premiership-winning campaign in second division.
Trevor Little’s side continues to exceed expectation and last week’s come-from-behind win at Macleod was another big tick for the young side, who have now won four of their past seven matches after a 0-3 start.
Jack Grimes produced his second huge game against the Roos for the season, after also starring in Round 1, Sean Jellie’s determination set the tone for his side, while Trent Barbero and Aidan Clarke both played important roles in the win.
Bundoora ended a three-game losing streak when it downed Heidelberg for the second time in 2017. The Bulls made a quick start and led by four goals at quarter-time, before holding sway for the rest of the day.
Gary Moorcroft was the match-winner, kicking six of his side’s nine goals in a low-scoring affair that was affected by a strong wind blowing through Yulong Reserve. After kicking four goals in the opening month of the year, Moorcroft has since added 22 in six games.
Scott Dowell made a welcome return to the Bulls line-up and was strong in his return, while Brendan Carlyon and Danny Younan (two goals) also made strong contributions in an important win for their club.
Local rivals Eltham and Montmorency meet at Eltham Central Park. The Magpies were 53-point victors when the sides met in Round 2.
Eltham remains just four points off the bottom of the table following last week’s defeat at Northcote Park and will view this week’s match as an opportunity to create some breathing space between itself and bottom-placed Whittlesea.
The Panthers made a positive start at Bill Lawry Oval last week but were unable to contain the Cougars’ firepower after quarter time. The Panthers themselves couldn’t break through their opponent’s defensive lines, managing just 12 scoring shots after the first break – with no Panther kicking multiple goals.
Bradyn Taglieri and Sean Currie gave their all, while Anton Woods and Jack Woodfall continued their good form despite their side suffering a third-successive loss since the Queen’s Birthday weekend break.
Montmorency was left to rue one that got away in its close defeat to Greensborough. Without as many as six of their top-liners, the Magpies led for the best part of three quarters before falling behind during time-on of the last quarter.
Patrick Fitzgerald was a dominant force and finished with seven majors – four more than any other player on the ground. Fitzgerald has now kicked 14 goals in his past three matches and was an imposing figure in his side’s most recent clash with Eltham – kicking four goals.
Billy Jenkin was outstanding across half back and repelled many Boro attacks, while Jesse Donaldson and Matt Hunt racked up plenty of the ball, thanks largely to Joel McLellan’s dominance in the ruck.
For the first time this year Heidelberg meets Whittlesea at Warringal Park.
After producing two successive important wins, Heidelberg suffered a setback last week when it was downed by Bundoora by 27 points. The result saw the Tigers slip from sixth place on the ladder down to eighth.
Now a win and percentage adrift of the top-five, the Tigers may have to win as many as six of their final seven games to make the finals this year. Despite the magnitude of the task, the Tigers will have the belief they are capable of achieving it, particularly with five of those matches against opponents currently outside the top-five.
Tom Sullivan was his side’s best in last week’s defeat at Bundoora. Sullivan – who was second in the Tigers’ best and fairest last year – has featured among the side’s best players in each of the past five matches after a slow start to the year.
Sam Gilmore also performed well for the third-straight week following his return to the Heidelberg line-up, along with youngsters Will Knight and Lachlan Wilson.
Whittlesea stuck with West Preston-Lakeside for a half last Saturday but was unable to emulate its Round 4 heroics against the Roosters and suffered 10-goal loss. The Eagles fell away in the last term when they conceded six goals to one.
Jai Robinson, Michael Brennan and Nathan Andrews tried their best in the defeat, but their undermanned side was ultimately outclassed by a finals-bound opponent.
The next three weeks loom as vital for Whittlesea in its quest to avoid relegation. With consecutive games against sides placed eighth, seventh and sixth – the Eagles will be aiming to break their sixth-game losing streak to jump off the bottom of the table.
