As September draws closer the massive upsets continued in Division 1, with pundits still no clearer as to how the season may unfold over the next three home and away rounds.
Four of five games in Round 16 were decided by less than two goals, with the exception Bundoora’s 24-point win over ladder-leader Montmorency at Yulong Reserve.
Perhaps the biggest loser from last week was reigning premier Northcote Park. A prospect to move into second spot on the table leading into the round, the Cougars slipped to fourth after suffering a shock loss to Greensborough.
The Cougars led by 41 points early in the second term but trailed at half time. They then opened up a 23-point lead midway through the last quarter before conceding the last five goals of the game to suffer their fifth loss of the season.
They now face the difficult task of a rebounding Montmorency who also conceded the last five goals of its game to fall to its second loss in three weeks. The aura of invincibility surrounding the Magpies no longer exists and the loser of this week’s clash at Bill Lawry Oval will certainly be heading into September without the desired form line.
Eltham moved back inside the top five after a one-point win over Macleod at De Winton Park, and now plays its final home game of the season against second-placed Bundoora.
Six goals to young gun James Kroussoratis enabled the Panthers to overturn a run of four consecutive single-digit losses at Macleod. Brad Perry and Andrew Sturgess also impressed as the Panthers took a four-goal lead into quarter time, before rallying from behind in the last term to steal the victory late in proceedings.
Bundoora’s firepower proved too much for Montmorency, as Cameron Cloke, Gary Moorcroft and James Lord combined for 12 goals. The Bulls’ defence was also exceptional, with Ben Shelton, Neil Gloury, Trent Barbero and Brent Marshall all producing stellar performances as they kept the competition’s highest scoring team to just 13 goals.
West Preston-Lakeside fell to sixth place on the ladder after succumbing to a five-point loss to Lower Plenty and the Roosters now square off against Heidelberg.
Despite taking a nine-point lead into quarter time, the Roosters trailed at all remaining quarter breaks against the Bears and now sit outside a finals place by percentage. Recent form against the Tigers has been good, despite a five-point loss at Warringal Park in Round 5.
The Tigers moved up a spot into third but continue to meander along in season 2013. A week after losing at home to Macleod, they never completely shook off Epping last week in an 11-point win. Mark Lynch was his side’s best for the third week running, while Brad Miller and Jason Kennedy were also important.
Greensborough broke its eight-game losing streak when it twice fought back from near-impossible positions against Northcote Park and the Boro have now secured their spot in the top flight in 2014 ahead of this week’s home game against Epping.
Josh Griffiths and Lachlan McQuilken starred, while Rhys Boyden booted five goals and returning forward Tim Bongetti four as the Boro won their fifth game of the season.
Despite a spirited effort against Heidelberg, Epping fell a game behind the pack in last and the Blues must now win their final two games of the season to avoid relegation.
Regular contributors Luke Lirosi, Daniel Moore and Matt Dornauf were again prominent, while Peter Shepherd booted four of his side’s 10 goals in a low-scoring affair.
Lower Plenty’s fourth win of the year gave it breathing space in this year’s relegation battle and the Bears have now recorded three of their victories against sides inside the top six ahead of a home match against Macleod.
Patrick Flynn returned from VFL duties and put in a best afield display with three goals. As has been the case throughout the season, others amongst the best included Matt Vasilevski, Matt Duckworth, Will Morley and the ever-reliable Clint Monger.
Macleod suffered its fourth-single digit loss of the season when it succumbed to Eltham in Kane Shaw’s 200th match, however remain in finals contention because of Lower’s win over West Preston.
The Roos have done themselves no favours with a 0-4 record against the Panthers and Roosters – the two sides they are fighting with for fifth place – but can still make their way inside the top half of the ladder by week’s end if results go their way in Round 17.
