Two of the league’s oldest foes do battle this Saturday when Greensborough takes on Heidelberg at War Memorial Park.
It is the only Division 1 clash between two top five teams this weekend and the result holds great significant to both. The Boro are looking to sure up their place inside the top five, while the Tigers are looking to keep their spot in the top three.
Despite a 4-6 win-loss record and defeats in their past three matches, Greensborough still sits in fifth place on the ladder – a position they have held since Round 4.
With both Eltham and West Preston-Lakeside also sitting on four wins from 10 matches, the Boro appear locked in a three-way battle over the next two months for the final spot in this year’s finals series.
Most would agree the Boro have been the most consistent and competitive of that trio, however, football hands you no points for honourable losses and Robert Hyde’s men have plenty of work ahead of them if they are to feature in September this year.
The Boro have a 0-5 record against sides inside the top four, with an average losing margin of five goals indicating they have been competitive enough against the competition’s best sides.
They pushed Northcote Park all the way in a 19-point loss at Bill Lawry Oval in Round 6 and have taken it right up to Bundoora and Montmorency over the past fortnight.
Last week’s 25-point loss to the undefeated Magpies produced many positive signs, with the Boro looking poised to pull off an extraordinary upset when Michael O’Loughlin sparked a run of six consecutive goals heading into half-time.
A late call-up to replace Tim Bongetti, Alex Rintoul played his best game of the season and kicked three goals, while the promise of Jack Johnston and continued emergence of Tristan Stead offers plenty of hope for the Boro in the next 18 months.
While the Boro side appears a little way from the best sides in the league, there is no doubting they are getting closer to claiming a prized scalp.
Heidelberg recorded its most important win for the season when it accounted for reigning premier Northcote Park by 19 points on Sunday.
Needing to win to stay in touch with the top three and a double chance in September, the Tigers led at every change with Lance Oswald providing a spark with four goals and Michael Brunelli playing a lock-down role on Cougars captain Bronik Davies.
The Tigers aren’t playing to the peak of their power, however they are still excellently placed to have a massive tilt at this year’s premiership.
The return of experienced trio Josh Houlihan, Michael Finn and Brad Miller understandably gave the side a lift last week, as did the inclusion of Justin Murphy for his first game in yellow and black since the 2011 Grand Final loss to Bundoora.
Mark Favrin and Justin Powick are two key players who didn’t play last weekend and will only strengthen the side, while Dale Nolan is yet to appear this season because of a back injury.
This week’s game continues a tough five-week period for the Tigers who are also preparing for consecutive home games against Bundoora and Montmorency before travelling to Montmorency Park to take on Lower Plenty – the side which it was upset by in Round 9.
Past Three Meetings
Round 3, 2013: Heidelberg 13.10 (88) def Greensborough 8.14 (62)
Round 18, 2012: Greensborough 11.6 (72) def Heidelberg 10.10 (70)
Round 9, 2012: Heidelberg 17.8 (110) def Greensborough 9.12 (66)
