EPPING all but assured its Division 2 status for 2015, and it now seems that we are in for a three-way relegation dogfight between Panton Hill, Diamond Creek and Hurstbridge.
With three games remaining, there is everything at stake for every side in the competition.
The Blues were one of last weekend’s big surprises, snaring their fifth win of the season with a big 57-point victory over Panton Hill at Cracknell Reserve, kicking 18.10 (118) to the Hillers 8.13 (61).
It was a big turnaround for Steve Power’s men, who were defeated by 16 points when the last ventured to the ground in Round 9.
Epping punished a wasteful Hillers outfit with a seven-goal to two third quarter which sealed the game. Jarrod Agosta, Josh Stavely and Aaron Willitts kicked three goals each, while their most consistent performers came to the fore once again in Shane Wood, Daniel Moore and Thomas Hughes.
With a two-game gap over bottom placed Hurstbridge now established, the Blues can guarantee safety with a win over the Bridges this week, and dedicate the last two games to building for 2015.
Panton Hill could be left to rue this heavy defeat at the end of the season if it is not careful, with a big eight-point game up for grabs between itself and Diamond Creek this weekend.
Nick Lowther kicked three goals, and Callum Still kicked two, while Travis Miller was their best player in the weekend’s loss to Epping – where coach Dean Haydock pulled the jumper back on.
Both Panton Hill and the Creekers will be coming into this game off defeats, with Diamond Creek losing a high scoring game to Fitzroy Stars at home.
The Creekers were well in the game at three quarter time, with just nine points separating the teams. However, an eight-goal final quarter from the Stars quashed the Creekers’ hopes of a second straight win against last year’s runners-up, after their upset victory in Round 10.
Simon Buchanan kicked three goals, with Lucas Campitelli and Brent Gutterson kicking two each. Trent Fallon was Diamond Creek’s best player, alongside Buchanan and Ryan Burrell.
The win for the Fitzroy Stars, coupled with Mernda’s shock 10-goal loss to Lalor, gives the Stars the chance to seal the double chance with a victory over the Demons at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval this weekend.
Patrick Davis made it 14 goals in two weeks with another haul of seven goals against Diamond Creek, with Allan Murray kicking four. Alex Isailovic was the best for the Stars, who are still an outside chance of top spot if results go their way.
They now take on a Mernda outfit that was outclassed by Lalor for the second time this season. Inaccuracy plagued the Demons in their 7.15 (57) to 18.6 (114) loss, with their double chance chances all but up in smoke.
VFL player Jai Robinson kicked three goals, but was also sent off in the final seconds of their loss, while David Hutchinson and Joel O’Reilly were two of their best players.
For Lalor, it was easily their best performance of the season and secured their spot in the finals for the first time since 2011 in the process, ahead of a big game with rival North Heidelberg this week.
Todd Hughes kicked seven goals, including four in a stunning second quarter, with Marc Ventura, Shannon Smith and Jarrod King putting in big performances.
Meantime, the Dogs can secure top spot with a victory and a Mernda win this afternoon, following their 39-point victory over Hurstbridge at Shelley Street Reserve last Saturday.
However, the 16.7 (103) to 9.8 (62) victory did not come without a fright , with a Mitchell Thompson goal getting the Bridges within 23 points in the third quarter after the Dogs kicked nine of the first 10 goals of the game.
Shane Harvey kicked four goals, taking his tally to 72 for the season, while Daniel Bramich and Andre Habchi were impressive for the Dogs.
The Bridges now must take some of their second and third quarter form into this week’s match against Epping if they want to survive the relegation battle. Jack Donnelly and Tieren Barbara were their best players for the afternoon, with Tom Simpson, Brett Woodhouse and Thompson kicking two goals each.
