The top four teams in the competition have confirmed their place in this year’s finals series following a wet day of football in Round 15.
Despite the heavy rain that greeted Melbourne last Saturday, Panton Hill, Watsonia and Reservoir each recorded big wins in tough conditions, justifying their places at the top end of the ladder.
As a result there is now a four-game differential between the top four and the bottom three. Given each of the chasing pack has only three games of football remaining in 2013, there is not even a remote mathematical chance that any of the current top four will miss out on finals action.
The pick of this week’s games takes place at A.K. Lines Reserve where second-placed Watsonia hosts fourth-placed Reservoir in a crunch game for both teams.
A win to the Saints would further secure their hold on second place following a healthy percentage boost last weekend. Their 77-point win over Heidelberg West helped lift their percentage from 125.83 up to 133.26 – giving them a four-point and 13 percent advantage over Thomastown in third, although the Bears do have an extra game to play.
Daley Bear and Brendan Cottier (four goals) were the Saints best in the win at Heidelberg Park, while Jeremy Bennett’s five-goal haul moved his season tally along to 41, four more than Panton Hill full forward Ben Finnin.
Reservoir recorded consecutive victories for the first time since winning the opening three games of the season when it accounted for St Mary’s by 41 points at Crispe Park. A third successive win this weekend would keep its slim top-two hopes alive, ahead of matches against bottom side Heidelberg West and ladder-leader Panton Hill.
The Mustangs led at every change last Saturday and ran away with the victory in the final term when they booted four goals to the Burra’s solitary behind. Leading the way up forward was Toby O’Meara who slotted six majors – one more than St Mary’s could manage for the afternoon.
St Mary’s returns to Whatmough Park after consecutive away games when it hosts Panton Hill. With a third successive finals campaign officially ruled out, the Burra can still affect the final order of the four if they can produce upset results against the Redbacks and then Thomastown in their next match.
They have had their problems containing Panton Hill in two prior meetings this year, losing the Round 2 NFL Match of the Day by 49 points, before succumbing to a heavy 76-point loss when the sides last met over the Queen’s Birthday weekend.
Panton Hill had no trouble accounting for Parkside in Round 15 and looks to have all but secured the minor premiership for the second straight year.
An even contribution from all 22 players helped produce the 81-point win, although Will Box, Tristain Kreymborg and Anthony Bryce did deserve high-praise for their efforts. Even more pleasing was the successful return of Abe Williams who was dominant in his first game of the season.
Finally, Thomastown returns from its final bye of the season to take on Parkside at Pitcher Park. The Bears have twice romped to victory over the Devils this year, winning by a combined aggregate of 142 points in their two outings, which included an 84-point victory in their most recent encounter.
While its endeavour could not be questioned in difficult conditions last week, Parkside was no match for Panton Hill last Saturday. A number of basic early misses at goal cost the Devils dearly, as they failed to keep touch with the Redbacks on the scoreboard despite a relatively even opening 40 minutes.
As it played out, the Devils went goalless from midway through the first term until late in the last quarter, despite the best efforts of Darren and Jamie Gresham, Jordan Venables, Brad Hockey and Michael Sabelberg.
