The top two teams in Division 3 square off this Saturday in a match that may well be a preview of this season’s Grand Final.
Panton Hill and Thomastown meet at Ben Frilay Oval, in their second clash for the season. The Bears were victorious by 20 points in the Round 7 outing, handing the Redbacks their second – and most recent – loss of the season.
Panton Hill heads into the clash fresh from a bye in Round 13. Prior to the break it defeated Reservoir by 23 points – its fifth consecutive win since the aforementioned loss to Thomastown.
As a result, the Redbacks stand one game and percentage clear of the Bears at the top of the ladder. A win this weekend would surely hand the club its second consecutive minor premiership as it quests to go one step better than last year’s Grand Final loss to Mernda.
Thomastown survived a late scare from Reservoir last Saturday as it recorded its eighth win of the season, keeping the pressure on Panton Hill at the top of the table and keeping at bay third-placed Watsonia.
The Bears led by as much as 32 points early in the game and looked headed for a huge win over the fourth-placed Mustangs. However, as was the case a week prior, the Bears faded after half time and had to hold on for grim life in the last as the visitors mounted their charge.
Youngster James Mercuri was Thomastown’s best in the win, while David Folino and Jacob Osei-Duro also played instrumental roles and shared six of their side’s 15 goals.
Heidelberg West welcomes St Mary’s to Heidelberg Park a week after missing a genuine opportunity to win its second game of the season.
Despite a slow start to the first quarter, the Hawks led Parkside by one point at half time and looked destined for their third consecutive win over the Devils.
However, they managed just four goals in the second half as they succumbed to a 33-point loss. Again it was Aidan Young, Dan Bailey and Kane Moore who were named amongst Heidelberg West’s best, while Kyl Ewart managed a match-high four goals.
St Mary’s now looks all but destined to miss out on finals football for the first time since its debut season in 2010, following last week’s 61-point loss to Watsonia.
The defeat was the Burra’s fifth in succession and leaves them languishing in sixth place on the ladder with a 3-8 record.
They were wasteful in the first term last week when they managed six behinds from their six scoring shots, before being outscored by seven goals to one in the second term. A five-goal final term was perhaps the highlight of a disappointing day, however they were still outscored by Watsonia’s six goals.
Finally, Reservoir hosts Parkside at Pitcher Park looking for its first win in a month after succumbing to two consecutive losses following its Round 11 bye.
The Mustangs have been gallant in defeat for the past two weeks however, as the side is acutely aware, honourable losses earn you no points and Reservoir’s chances of claiming a double chance in the finals look completely diminished.
In the absence of Ashley Flavel, Dallas King returned to the senior team last week and managed four goals, as did Toby O’Meara.
Parkside won its fourth game of the season when it overcame Heidelberg West and the Devils remain a remote chance to play in this season’s finals series.
A win over the Mustangs this weekend would move the Devils within four points of the top four, however tough matches against Panton Hill and Thomastown in the next fortnight will mean the Devils will need to be at their absolute best to feature in this year’s post-season.
