With two rounds remaining, the finals schedule and relegation places are locked in. All that is left is to determine who wears the home shorts in the first week of finals.
Whittlesea moved tantalisingly close to the Division 2 minor premiership with a 56-point victory over South Morang, which officially confirmed the Lions’ relegation in a season which they have occupied eighth place from the start of the season. However, it was not before they gave the Eagles a fright, as they lead by two goals at half time after playing excellent football.
It was the third quarter, in which Whittlesea produced another traditional onslaught, that ultimately made the difference. The Eagles kicked 10.4 to the Lions’ scoreless quarter. Andrew Fairchild kicked nine goals in the 18.18 (126) to 11.4 (70) victory – making it 28 goals against South Morang in three outings this year. He was assisted well by Todd Behan and Garrett Heenan. Nicholas Johnston was excellent for the Lions, kicking three goals, while Daniel Watson led the Lions’ goal kickers with four.
Fitzroy Stars secured a second semi final date with Whittlesea after recording a stirring come from behind victory over Diamond Creek at Coventry Oval. Diamond Creek led at every change, before the Stars took the ascendency late. In claiming the 13.20 (98) to 13.11 (89) victory, the Stars not only confirmed the double chance, but also kept alive their slim minor premiership hopes. Patrick Davis kicked four goals for the Stars, who were also well served by frequent contributors Malcolm Dow and Lionel Proctor. For the Creekers, who have missed the chance to move within half a game of the Stars, Simon Buchanan kicked six goals and Travis Knight was excellent.
The loss meant that Diamond Creek lost third place to their upcoming first semi final opponent North Heidelberg, who recorded a 19.19 (133) to 13.11 (89) victory over Hurstbridge. The Bridges had reduced a 38-point half time deficit to 25 at the last change, before the Dogs’ kicked away in the last quarter. Shane Harvey kicked six for the victorious Dogs’ in a much improved effort from their game against Whittlesea the week before. Daniel Francis kicked five goals for the Bridges.
Mernda survived numerous scares from Lalor to secure fifth place on the ladder with a 13.16 (94) to 10.12 (72) victory at Lalor Reserve. The Bloods had defeated the Demons in their previous outing, and another upset was on the cards when they kicked four successive goals to lead by nine points midway through the last quarter.
However, the Demons, in a game of massive fluctuations, booted the last five goals of the game to ultimately take victory. Andrew Smith and David Hutchinson kicked three goals each for the winners, who were marshalled well by Matthew Duggan and Andrew Douglas. Todd Hughes and Nick Mafilovski kicked three goals each for the Bloods, who had Jarrod Parry and Ben Curtiss put in terrific performances.
Round 17 promises to be another good round of footy, which sees Whittlesea attempt to secure the minor premiership when it hosts fierce rivals Mernda at the Whittlesea Showgrounds. Whilst Whittlesea defeated Mernda by 135 points last time out, they will be wary of the last time they took on Mernda at home – where the Demons defeated the previously unbeaten Eagles by two goals in 2010. A similar result will bring the Fitzroy Stars into contention for the minor premiership.
The Stars themselves take on a side which has given them trouble in the recent past, as they take on Hurstbridge at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval. The two sides have split their past four meetings, with the margin being no more than 16 points in any game, and another close game could well be on the cards here.
Lalor travels to Shelley Street to take on North Heidelberg, eager to put in a better performance than the last time they took on the Dogs – when they were smashed by 170 points. The Dogs’ will look for some more winning form before taking on Diamond Creek in the do-or-die first semi final in a fortnight’s time, a side which they have had problems with this season.
Finally, the Creekers host South Morang across town at Coventry Oval as the Lions look to put a bit of respectability into their campaign and add to their win tally.
