With the final bye over we now approach the final lap in what has been an intriguing season in Division 2.
With five rounds remaining, Whittlesea has all but sealed top spot, while South Morang faces an uphill battle to prevent relegation. However, all other spots are up for grabs, with the second-place battle generating the most interest.
A fortnight ago, the ladder-leader was taken all the way by a gallant Hurstbridge who gave a red-hot crack at the Whittlesea Showgrounds. However, once again, Whittlesea got over the line with another good last quarter – overturning a four-point deficit to win by 17. Lucas Hobbs was the dominant Eagle, kicking four goals, while Nick Milne was Hurstbridge’s best player and kicked three goals. For the Bridges, it was an opportunity missed to take the scalp of a good opposition in what would have been one of the great upsets.
North Heidelberg hauled itself back into the double chance battle by accounting for Diamond Creek by 38 points. A devastating start saw the Bulldogs lead 13.4 (82) to 2.8 (20) at half time. However, visions of their fadeout to Whittlesea threatened to haunt Shelley Street once again as Diamond Creek halved the Dogs’ lead by three quarter time. The Dogs’ were able to hold sway this time around, prevailing 19.8 (122) to 12.12 (84). Shane Harvey once again delivered on the scoreboard, kicking nine more goals, while Pasquale Sacuzzo and Leigh Taggert were the Dogs’ best. For the Creekers, Luke Simpson and Rikki Stephens kicked three goals, and Simon Buchanan was their best.
Fitzroy Stars maintained control of second place by accounting for Lalor by an even 100 points. The margin could perhaps have been greater if not for the Stars taking their foot off the pedal, allowing Lalor to win the last quarter. John Hayes kicked six goals for the Stars, who were also well served by Malcolm Dow and Alex Isailovic. The Bloods were never in the hunt but Nick Mafilovski and Scott Dowell continued their fine form and Steven Goodwin kicked three of the Bloods’ eight goals.
Mernda kept its slim finals chances alive with a 70-point victory over South Morang at Mill Park Lakes. The victory was helped by a 10-goal second quarter which allowed Mernda to take a 67-point lead into half time. Cameron Curlis was Mernda’s best in the ruck, while David Hutchinson kicked five goals and Jai Robinson four. The Lions were able to keep pace with the Demons in the second half, but ultimately their first half cost them dearly. Nicholas Johnston and Nathan Moro were the Lions’ best.
The best game of Round 14 pits first against second when Whittlesea travels to Sir Douglas Nicholls to face Fitzroy Stars. Their previous encounter was a classic, in which Whittlesea came from 54 points down at three quarter time to win by eight at the Showgrounds. With the previous fixture amassing 248 points, and with Fitzroy scoring an average of 140 points a game since moving in to its new ground, another shootout may be on the cards. The result will go a long way towards boosting the confidence of the victor should a finals match-up occur.
At the opposite end of the ladder, South Morang will look to revive its season by travelling to Hurstbridge. The Lions were victorious in their last encounter against the Bridges, prevailing by 40 points at home. However, the trip to Ben Frilay Oval is a far more challenging prospect. A loss for the Lions will just about draw curtains for their brief stint in Division 2, while the Bridges will fancy grabbing fifth spot off Mernda if they can prevail.
Mernda welcomes North Heidelberg in a season-defining game for the Demons in which their slim finals hopes can be revived with a victory. The Demons are more than capable of defeating North Heidelberg, having taken the four points against the Dogs earlier in the season. However, with second place firmly on the line should Fitzroy Stars lose, the Dogs also have a lot to play for.
Finally, Lalor travels to Diamond Creek looking to put in a better performance against a top-four side. Their previous three games against likely finalists have resulted in an average losing margin of 132 points. However, the Bloods will be buoyed by their competitive outing against the Creekers last time. Diamond Creek can haul itself back into the double chance battle should it win and North Heidelberg and Fitzroy Stars slip up today.
