Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 returns this weekend with some enticing contests to kickstart the final month of the home and away campaign.
A determined Greensborough outfit will look to jump back into the top five when they host neighbours Bundoora at Greensborough War Memorial Park.
The Boro had a huge opportunity to join the top half of the ladder a fortnight ago but couldn’t stop a last term comeback from Banyule, going down by three points away from home.
As a result, they still sit half a game behind Hurstbridge, but with some big games to round out the campaign, they’ll need to return to the winner’s list soon if they’re to sneak in an appearance in September.
Saade Ghazi’s men continue to be sound defensively, with captain Jack Johnston leading the way in what’s been an outstanding season for the key defender.
But offensively they have struggled, and currently rank eighth in the competition for points for. It’s something they will need to get to work on improving if they’re to stay with the top sides in the competition.
Their Saturday opponents have had an up down last month, as despite picking up a vital win over Montmorency in Round 13, they went down convincingly to Heidelberg the following week, dropping out of the top three as a result.
In saying that, they are only out by percentage and do have a favourable run home, meaning a solid month on the field could still see them secure back-to-back double chance finishes.
One player that has been consistent in his own performances is Lachlan East, who has been named in his side’s best for seven straight games and has played a huge role in the defensive half.
At Yulong Reserve, Greensborough were able to get the four points when these two sides last met, with only 12 goals between each side in a largely defensive display.
But with stakes so high for both sides, we may see a more attacking mindset from each team, as both look to get back to winning ways.
Having built some form before the bye Hurstbridge will return with a massive test against Hedielberg at their home ground of Ben Frilay Oval.
The Bridges pushed Montmorency for three quarters but were unable to finish the job at Montmorency Park in their last match in Round 14.
Joel Naylor continues to be hard to stop, kicking six goals in the defeat, while fellow forward Bailey Jordan kicked four majors and now has goals in his last 12 straight games.
The Bridges still have a tough run home with games against the Tigers, Bulls and Boro to come, but if they can claim upsets in that run, they would well and truly deserve a spot in the top five.
Their first test is a Heidelberg outfit who are in the hot seat to secure back-to-back minor premierships.
Vin Dattoli’s men are in scintillating form, having still yet to taste defeat since Round 3, and are coming into this clash following a statement making 78-point victory over Bundoora.
While the regulars continue to impress around the ground for Heidelberg, 2022 Grand Final best on ground recipient Matthew Smith continues not to miss a beat since returning to the side in May.
He has been named in his side’s best in six of his nine matches, including the last three consecutive games.
Hurstbridge will take confidence out of their last battle with Heidelberg, where they pushed them all the way, only to go down by nine points at Warringal Park.
But now on their home deck, the Bridges will fancy their chances to cause a massive upset against the best side of the last two years and keep their spot in the top five intact.
Banyule will be looking to build on a terrific victory last round when they welcome a rampant North Heidelberg outfit to Beverley Road Oval for the first time.
Having not won since Round 7, the Bears came from behind to steal victory from Greensborough in a thrilling contest on their home ground.
Vivian Blackmoore-Moore was the key catalyst to the victory, kicking the match winner and starring in midfield alongside Christian Farchione in defence.
But it’s their defensive game that will be a focus for Paul Harris in the last month of action in the competition, as they rank ninth for least number of points against.
And they will face their toughest task in turning that trend around this weekend, when they face an in form North Heidelberg side, who are the number one attacking team in the division.
The Bulldogs now return to third spot having won their last four games, including a big percentage boosting victory over West Preston-Lakeside at home in Round 14.
Jason Heatley’s men have seen contributors from all over the ground in their recent victories and it was highlighted in their performance over the Roosters, with Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, Brock Chricop, Majak Daw, Parker Heatley, Liam Hunt and Brodie White all producing outstanding performances in the triumph.
They’ve also had 21 players feature in the side’s best throughout the 2023 campaign.
The Bulldogs won the first ever meeting between the two sides in Round 6, claiming a 47-point victory at Shelley Street, which was in the middle of a five-game winning streak in the first half of the season.
North Heidelberg will be favoured to produce a similar performance, but Banyule will be just as determined to finish their inaugural season in the top flight on a high.
The start of a big final month for Macleod commences this weekend when second-placed Montmorency travel to De Winton Park.
Craig Hayes’ men have won four of their last five games, with Zac Hudson (10 Coaches Votes) & Michael Hurley (four goals) playing key roles in their most recent 49-point triumph over Whittlesea.
But they now face the top three in the next three weeks of the season as well as Hurstbridge in the final round, all sides which they have yet to defeat in 2023.
Macleod will still feel that they’re in the finals race, as they only sit six points behind the fifth placed Bridges with four games to play, but if they’re to cause some upsets, they’ll need to keep the winning run going.
Kurt Manuel will have a big role to play throughout those final four weeks, with the star midfielder looking to keep up the form that has seen him be named in his side’s best for four consecutive games.
Their Saturday opponents in Montmorency come into clash with a two-game buffer from third position, after a strong final term over Hurstbridge in Round 14 that saw them finish 21-point winners.
The two standouts in that contest have been two players that have stood out all season for Jonathan Manzoney’s side in Patrick Fitzgerald and Marcus Lentini.
Fitzgerald has 61 majors to his name after a seven-goal match against the Bridges, and he kicked four goals in his last meeting with the Roos, meanwhile Lentini kicked three in that victory over Macleod in Round 6 and has been named in his side’s best in all but two of his 11 games in 2023.
If Macleod are to prove their finals credibility, it will need to start with an upset against a dominant Magpies side.
West Preston-Lakeside and Whittlesea meet at J.E. Moore Park this weekend as both sides look to gain momentum in the backend of the 2023 season.
It has been difficult seasons for both the Roosters and the Eagles who each occupy the bottom two spots on the Division 1 table, but this weekend sees an opportunity for both to grab four more points before the end of the campaign.
West Preston-Lakeside dropped back down to ninth after a 59-point loss to North Heidelberg in Round 14.
That was despite five majors from Malik Elfakahani and another terrific display from Max Dreher, who has now been named in his side’s best in six of his last seven matches.
Some new names like Liam Hagen and Jake Pulice have featured in the Roosters’ best over the last fortnight which is something the side can continue to strive towards throughout the rest of the season.
With Montmorency, Heidelberg and Bundoora to come still, this looks to be the Roosters last chance at claiming a win in 2023.
Their opponents Whittlesea still sit winless 14 rounds into the season, going down to Macleod two weeks ago despite a competitive opening term at the Whittlesea Showgrounds.
Highlights throughout recent weeks include the efforts of Thomas Falls and Riley Carter who have each been named in the side’s best in back-to-back weeks, while Christian Prestopino has kicked goals in three straight weeks.
The Roosters were able to convincingly defeat the Eagles in their previous meeting at the Showgrounds, with captain Ahmed Saad booting six majors on the day.
And whilst they’ll head in as favourites once again, the Eagles will look to achieve a four-quarter performance away from home.
