Whittlesea and Fitzroy Stars look to have all but booked the double chance with devastating performances in Round 15. Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, South Morang has been condemned to Division 3 in 2014.
The Eagles’ victory over North Heidelberg reaffirmed their status as the team to beat in 2013, leading by as much as 63 points at half time before the Dogs’ secured some respect in the final two quarters, kicking seven goals to five as they went down 16.19 (115) to 9.7 (61). Shane Harvey notched up his 100th goal in a rare highlight for the Dogs’ as Whittlesea completely dominated from the outset in the Plenty Valley FM Match of the Day. Andrew Fairchild led the goal kickers for the Eagles, with four (and five behinds), whilst Roy Dyson and Garrett Heenan were their best performers. Harvey kicked three goals to take his tally to 102 for the season, but the Dogs had few winners in a disappointing performance.
Meanwhile, Fitzroy Stars continued to firm as the team who has the best platform to challenge the Eagles, defeating South Morang by 155 points. The result has sent the Lions to Division 3 unless a miracle occurs, as they now trail Lalor by 12 points and close to 20 per cent with three games left. The Stars’ second half was exceptional as they banged on 16 goals to the Lions’ four as they barged to a 28.26 (194) to 6.3 (39) victory. Fitzroy had 12 goal kickers, with John Hayes kicking six goals, David Welsh five and captain Lionel Proctor four. Hayes and Welsh were the Stars’ best for the afternoon in a result which sees them move six points clear of third-placed Diamond Creek.
The Lions’ demise from Division 2 was all but confirmed when the final siren blew at Ben Frilay Oval, as Lalor took the points in a 15.10 (100) to 15.8 (98) thriller against Hurstbridge. In a tight game, the margin was no more than nine points at any change. The victory meant that Lalor moved within one game of Hurstbridge, albeit with inferior percentage. Todd Hughes kicked four goals for the victors, who were well served by Shannon Smith and Kane Toronis. Daniel Francis kicked four goals for the Bridges, whilst Jack Donnelly was their best with two goals.
At Mernda Recreational Reserve, Diamond Creek held out an inspired Mernda challenge to prevail by 15 points and took third spot off North Heidelberg in the process. The Demons recovered from a five-goal deficit to close the gap to seven points at three quarter time, but the class of Diamond Creek prevailed. Brent Gutterson kicked five goals for the Creekers, who were well served by Brenton Hoppe and Levi de Pyle. For Mernda, Andrew Smith stood out, kicking three goals, whilst Luke Howard performed well in defence.
With three games remaining the most important game of the round sees Fitzroy Stars looking to further cement the double chance when they travel to Diamond Creek. With two wins over the Creekers this season, the Stars will be confident of securing their highest ever finish since joining the NFL in 2008. The Creekers also have a lot to play for, where a win would move them within two points of the Stars with two rounds to play.
North Heidelberg hosts Hurstbridge at Shelley Street knowing a win can move it to third or to within one game of the second-placed Stars’. The Dogs’ were taken all the way by the Bridges last time around, prevailing by just eight points. The Bridges’ would be disappointed by their loss to Lalor, but have otherwise enjoyed a better patch of form against top four sides this season. An upset victory would keep them in contention for fifth place at season’s end – a much better return than last season where it took to the last quarter of the year to secure their place in Division 2.
Mernda travels to Lalor wary of their encounter last time, in which the Bloods upset the Demons by five points on their home patch. The Bloods will be buoyed by their fourth victory of the season last weekend, while a victory for the Demons, coupled with a North Heidelberg victory, will all but secure fifth place at the end of the season.
Across town, South Morang hosts Whittlesea in a match that pits the competition’s bottom-placed team against the likely minor premier.
