In a one-sided round of football, it was Fitzroy Stars and North Heidelberg who asserted the two biggest statements in Round 11.
Fitzroy Stars were arguably the most impressive performer last Saturday, completely outplaying Diamond Creek in the last three quarters – including a devastating 9.7 final quarter – in disposing of the Creekers by 11 goals in their best performance of the year. After trailing by 17 points at quarter time, the Stars took control in the second quarter and should have lead by more than 12 points at half time after kicking 6.9 in the second.
However, they made amends by kicking eight straight goals in the third, before the aforementioned last quarter. Up forward, it was a shootout between forwards Patrick Davis and Rikki Stephens, who kicked eight goals each. However, Fitzroy Stars had more winners in their forward 50m, with Corey Wanganeen and John Hayes kicking four goals each. Oliver Parks and Stephens were Diamond Creek’s best performers, as their side slipped from second to fourth on the ladder.
North Heidelberg disposed of Round 10’s surprise winners, Lalor, with a devastating first half. The Dogs opened up a 101-point lead by half time, before winning by a massive 170 points – easily the biggest win Division 2 has seen this season.
Shane Harvey and Leigh Gilbert combined for 20 goals in the 35.10 (220) to 7.8 (50) demolition, with Harvey extending his lead at the top of the goal kicking charts with a 12-goal haul. Blake Holmes also put in another solid performance for the Dogs. After defeating Mernda in such an impressive performance the week before, it was a discouraging performance from the Bloods, who conceded 10 goals in both the second and the third quarters. Daniel Cobbett was the pick of Lalor’s players in their most disappointing performance for years.
Whittlesea maintained its two-game gap at the top of the ladder with another solid performance. The Eagles kicked 10 goals in the third quarter goals to easily beat South Morang 21.22 (148) to 3.7 (25). The Lions were encouraging in the first quarter, trailing by just eight points and looked to be in the game. However, they failed to add to their two first-quarter goals until the last term. The ever-present Andrew Fairchild kicked nine more goals for the Eagles, who also had solid contributions from Marcus Webb and Max Dyson. The Lions were well served by Daniel Heatley and Luke Manning.
Mernda reduced the number of finals challengers for the Division 2 title to five with a 26-point victory over Hurstbridge. The first half was entertaining as neither side could wrest control, with Mernda taking a 10-point lead into the long break. However, the Demons kicked out in the second half, with three goals each to Matthew Rees and Luke Drakes. Matthew Duggan continued his solid form since arriving at the club, while Jesse Owens-Draper, Keegan Dingo and David Hutchinson were also good.
For the Bridges, Nick Milne was immense, while Mitch Thompson and Jack Donnelly were also solid. The loss all but rules Hurstbridge out of finals contention, sitting three games and much inferior percentage behind fourth-placed Diamond Creek.
Round 12 is the most pivotal round of the year, with all four games huge for every club. Lalor and South Morang take each other on in a massive relegation battle at Lalor Reserve, with the winner taking a big step towards securing their place in Division 2 in 2014.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, Fitzroy Stars welcomes North Heidelberg to Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval, with the winner set to take control in the battle for a top-two spot. North Heidelberg has had great success against the Stars in the recent past, while the Stars have been in fantastic form since their Round 3 loss to the Bulldogs.
Schotters Road hosts the second derby of the season between Mernda and Whittlesea. The Round 2 battle saw a great game, with Whittlesea prevailing after a familiar last quarter charge. The Demons need to win this game to stay in finals contention should one of North Heidelberg or Diamond Creek slip up.
Finally, the Creekers take on Hurstbridge at Coventry Oval looking to arrest their two-game losing slide. The Bridges will look to win to keep their very slim finals hopes alive, where a win would be their second triumph against a top-four side this year.
