In a big weekend of football which just about set in stone the top four, the clear highlight of last weekend was the goings on at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval.
In a thrilling result, a shootout between Fitzroy Stars and North Heidelberg was decided after the siren, where a goal to Fitzroy Stars utility Corey Wanganeen ensured the points would be shared, 18.20 (128) to the Dogs’ 20.8 (128).
In a free-flowing game it would be the Stars who shot out to an early lead, kicking six goals to the Dogs’ one in the opening quarter as they lead by 33 points. However, the Dogs kicked into gear over the next two quarters and kicked seven goals in the second quarter, followed by eight in the third quarter.
Eight goals from super-boot Shane Harvey, as well as the work of Trent Scannell and Daniel Bramich, helped the Dogs lead by eight points by three quarter time. However, the Stars would fight back to prevent all four points from heading back to Shelley Street Reserve. John Hayes kicked five goals for the Stars, and Jai Burns was their best performer.
At the other end of the table, Lalor rebounded after its 170-point demolition by North Heidelberg with an 11-goal victory over South Morang.
The Bloods started strongly, matching their previous weeks’ goal tally of seven goals in the first quarter, before the Lions threatened a renaissance of not only the game, but their season – reducing the margin to 27 by half time.
However, it was not to be for South Morang. Lalor peppered the goals and perhaps should have gone into three quarter time leading by more, having kicked 3.9 in the third quarter.
Nick Mafilovski kicked four goals for the Bloods, as Scott Dowell continued his solid 2013 form. For the Lions, Dale O’Donnell was their best in a result which makes them the red-hot favourite to head back to Division 3 next year.
Ladder-leader Whittlesea once again asserted its dominance at the top of the table, annihilating an injury and suspension-hit Mernda to the tune of 135 points.
The Demons lost captain Rohan Davies within the first 10 minutes, but defied the odds to lead at quarter time. However, Whittlesea kicked 28 goals to five from then on.
Andrew Fairchild booted nine goals for the second successive week, Ben Russell and Paul Harrison kicked five each, while Lucas Hobbs kicked four. For the Demons, Tom Deayton and Nathan Mills were their best performers, but it was by far their worst performance under Brett Wilson.
Hurstbridge‘s slim finals aspirations were officially put to bed as Diamond Creek dominated its clash at Coventry Oval to win by 54 points.
The Creekers’ damage was done in the first half as they kicked 10 goals to three to lead by 47 points, before maintaining their margin.
In a steady spread of goalkickers for the Creekers, Luke Simpson and Ryan Constance kicked three goals each, whilst Travis Knight was the best man on the ground. Mitch Thompson and Bryce Mullane were Hurstbridge’s better performers, who can take heart from matching Diamond Creek in the second half.
Third place is on the line this weekend, as Diamond Creek travels to North Heidelberg in a season-defining game. The Creekers have already defeated North Heidelberg twice this season, and another win will not only give them the ascendency for third place, but it also keeps them in the hunt for a top two position. The same applies to North Heidelberg who has not beaten Diamond Creek since Round 6 last year.
Fitzroy Stars, who now assume second position by only half a game, travel to Lalor looking to extend a five-game unbeaten streak. However, a victory for the Bloods would all but assure them of Division 2 football in 2014, if they haven’t already done so.
Mernda will look to rebound from its disastrous loss to Whittlesea as it makes the short trip down Plenty Road to South Morang, a team it accounted for by 95 points in Round 8. The Lions are now firmly under pressure to win games, as their loss against Lalor now puts them two games behind with five games remaining.
Meanwhile, Hurstbridge faces a daunting task when it is welcomed to the Whittlesea Showgrounds. The Eagles further extended their break in first place last weekend, and will aim to push on in their relentless task of gaining promotion to the top echelon of the Northern Football League.
