The Division 1 competition returns from its final bye of the season and we are poised for a massive final five rounds ahead of this year’s finals series.
Round 13 produced some huge results a fortnight ago, with Montmorency all but securing the minor premiership with a big win at Heidelberg, West Preston-Lakeside moving inside the top five for the first time of the year and Lower Plenty etching clear of the relegation battle.
It sets up a massive weekend of action in Round 14 heading into the final month of the home and away season.
West Preston-Lakeside rolls out the welcome mat for Northcote Park in a game that pits fifth against fourth. After looking like relegation prospects early in the year, the Roosters have reversed their form dramatically of late and now sit one-game clear of sixth-placed Eltham.
They made it three wins from their past four starts with a come from behind victory over Macleod a fortnight ago, where forward Oliver Dufficy and defenders Brendan Nannery and Travis Stevens were superb in the four-point result. Dufficy’s third goal came in the final minute of the game to give the Roosters a memorable win.
Northcote Park moved back within percentage of Heidelberg in the battle for third place following a 20-point win at Eltham. Leading by 12 points at the main break, the Cougars split the game open with the opening four goals of the third quarter. Importantly, Paul Scanlon played his best game of the season and looks to be back to his best after missing the opening half of the year with injury.
Lower Plenty will be looking for consecutive wins for the first time in 2013 when it hosts Heidelberg. The Bears famously upset the Tigers at Warringal Park in Round 9 and will head into this encounter with high hopes after over-running Greensborough in their last start. A seven-goal third quarter turned a 23-point half time deficit into a seven-point lead, before going on to win by 15 points.
Despite hot form heading into the game, Heidelberg proved no match for Montmorency for the second time this season. The Tigers kicked the opening two goals of the day, but that was where the good news ended as they added only a further six majors in a 45-point defeat. Jamie Allan and Michael Brunelli tried gamely, while Jordan Treloar booted three goals.
Macleod had its finals hopes dashed following its close loss to West Preston-Lakeside, but the Roos will still give themselves a good chance of becoming the first team to beat Montmorency when they clash at De Winton Park. Having beaten Northcote Park and pushed Bundoora within five points, the Roos have been in good form against premiership contenders of late. Ryan Storey played a blinder in his last game, arguably his best game of senior football.
Montmorency claimed arguably its best win of the year when it accounted for Heidelberg and will use the final five weeks of the regular season to finetune its game ahead of the finals. Harley Ryan produced a best afield effort against the Tigers, while Rowan Nayna, Jesse Donaldson and Ryan Jackson ensured the Magpies won the midfield battle. Underrated forward Ben Walton kicked four majors and now has 35 for the season.
The final two matches of the round see Bundoora travel to Greensborough, while Epping hosts Eltham in a game the Blues simply cannot afford to drop as they try to secure their place in Division 1 next year.
Even without Cameron Cloke, Bundoora had no problem sweeping by Epping prior to the bye – thanks largely to nine goals from forwards Gary Moorcroft and Salvatore Mamone. Greensborough’s losing streak extended to six games following the shock loss to Lower Plenty and the Boro are now two games out of finals contention. They will have to win at least four of their final five matches to feature in September.
Epping is again sitting last by one game and percentage and must get a result this week against Eltham, ahead of tough matches against Montmorency and Heidelberg. Peter Shepherd kicked four goals against the Bulls and has 15 in his past four matches, while Daniel Moore continues to lead from the front.
Eltham slipped out of the top five after its last start loss to Northcote Park but can move back inside the top half of the ladder with a win this Saturday. Tom Rogers has been in good form of late, while Brendan O’Sullivan made a successful comeback from injury prior to the bye.
