After enjoying some time off the football field last weekend, the junior competitions are heating up with only three weeks to go until finals.
With teams trying to cement their places in the top four, let’s preview some of this week’s games and see who is in fighting form heading into the finals.
In the Under-17 Blue competition, Eltham is in fine shape, sitting pretty at the top undefeated so far this season. The Panthers have a blockbuster top of the table clash this Sunday against second-placed Montmorency, who has lost just two games for the year.
Mill Park and West Preston round out the top four, with both expected to keep their spots in the top part of the ladder. Mill Park tackles Hurstbridge, with West Preston facing another bye. Meantime, Research and Epping round out the competition and take on each other in a bottom of the table clash. Research is looking for a win to stay in finals contention and Epping to avoid the wooden spoon.
The Under-16 Blue competition is really heating with only 10 points separating the top five sides in a six-team competition. Research sits four points clear at the top of the table and will be looking to extend its five-game winning streak against third-placed South Morang, who, coincidently, is the team it beat to start its winning streak.
Second-placed Montmorency takes on West Preston Blue, with the Magpies looking to secure a double chance in the finals, whilst West Preston Blue will be looking to keep in touch with the top four. Diamond Creek rounds out the top four and takes on the bottom-placed Yarrambat and will be looking for a win to keep its top-two hopes alive.
The heat is seriously turning up in the Under-14 Red competition with the top six teams separated by only six points. Research and Mill Park sit at the top of the table, both on 28 points with Research ahead by percentage. They take on Montmorency and Keon Park respectively this Sunday, with Keon Park occupying third place and looking to snatch back a higher place on the ladder. West Preston’s sits in fourth with Diamond Creek and Yarrambat snapping at its feet below.
In the Under-13 Green competition, Diamond Creek sits clear at the top by six points and faces off against the second-placed Yarrambat in a much-anticipated game this Sunday. The Bats will be looking to extend their six-game winning streak, a remarkable effort.
Eltham, who is on equal points with Yarrambat, sits in third and plays second-bottom side Mernda. Fourth spot is occupied by West Lalor who this week is faced with South Morang Maroon. A win would further elevate West Lalor’s chances of securing a spot in the finals. It currently sits on equal points with Hurstbridge and Lalor, with that duo set to take on each other this week.
In the Under-11 Blue competition, Eltham sits in first place, four points ahead of Research with both playing each other this weekend in an exciting battle. South Morang Blue, who is in third, takes on fourth-placed Diamond Creek. Perhaps the finals series has come three weeks early for the teams in Under-11 Blue?
Mill Park and Bundoora Park take on each other and both sit fifth and sixth respectively. They are both only one game outside the top four so they’ll both be looking for a win to keep their finals chances alive. The side who loses will find it tough to play finals from here.
The Under-10 Silver competition sees Wallan and Kinglake sit at the top, both on 28 points. The sides take on Eltham and Panton Hill respectively, with both looking to edge each other out. Hurstbridge and Bundoora Park are equal on 20 points and sit only two points outside the top four. The Bridges take on Epping and Bundoora Park plays West Ivanhoe, with both expected to win this weekend’s fixtures. Meanwhile, fourth-placed Reservoir will be favourites when it meets Keon Park.
Good luck to all sides returning to the field this weekend. Enjoy your footy!
