JACANA 13.9-87 def. EAST SUNBURY 11.12-78
IT is always a full house down at Jacana Reserve and the big crowd was treated to a game of incredible standards, both individually and team-wise.
The biggest question was if one Cameron Cloke would hit the century?
Averaging seven goals a game, he was able to slot the four goals required and has now kicked an astonishing 100 goals in 14 games this season.
Not only was it the first century of Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 history but the first of his career.
This was all part of a thrilling game.
Close all day, the Thunder’s pace matched up well against the size of Jacana and were able to outrun some of the home side’s bigger players.
With their first ever finals appearance on the line, Lachlan Brne, who is having a stellar season, again lifted, distributing the ball efficiently all day.
But after being down by 34 points at halftime, the ladder leaders kicked nine unanswered goals and crushed East Sunbury's finals hopes.
Class and pride to stay at the top for the Jaguars and a boisterous home crowd willed them over the line, with a huge 10-goal-to-three last quarter.
COBURG DISTRICTS 17.16-118 def. BURNSIDE HEIGHTS 10.9-69
On a windy weekend across many EDFL grounds, Burnside Heights used it wisely to their advantage and shocked the home crowd with a 24-point lead at quarter time.
Leadership and class with the ball in hand by Anthony Fawcus helped keep the Bears in with a chance against one of the competition’s best.
Close through the first three quarters, the Lions stepped up in the final term.
It was their elite fitness that helped them through, as they were able to counter attack and lay some hard chasing tackles until the very siren, setting them up for a six-goals-to-two last quarter.
The win helped Coburg Districts build percentage with a 59-point win but they are still 1.28 per cent behind Jacana on the ladder.
ROXBURGH PARK 7.9-51 def. by NORTHERN SAINTS 12.14-86
It was a high-standard of footy at Lakeside Drive.
Roxburgh Park’s quick start with the wind had them up by 20 at quarter time but with 2.8 as their score line, they didn’t quite take full advantage of the breeze.
Hayden Farrelly led the Magpies and with great forward pressure helped set up while snagging two for himself.
After quarter time the Saints jumped on an opportunity given by Roxburgh Park’s lack of conversion and were able to control the lead for the rest of the game.
Paul Dispenzeri was a major part of this with plenty of skill by hand and foot really giving the Saints a much-needed boost through the middle of the ground.
Their consistency across the ground and variety of players in the bests each week show why the Northern Saints are comfortably third and were able to take back control in this one.
It ended with a solid 34-point win against some hard-fighting Magpies.
KEILOR PARK 6.5-41 def. by MOONEE VALLEY 10.14-74
Fighting for different spots on the ladder, plenty of heart was on display out on the field in a hard-hitting clash.
Josh Wilson helped keep the home side in it as the Devils matched Moonee Valley through the first three quarters.
Level scores at three-quarter time really proved that Keilor Park was keen to rise from the bottom of the ladder.
Moonee Valley’s desire for that last finals spot made for an impressive last quarter and in the end the Fog ended any hope of the home side.
The Fog kicked 4.9 on the back of some good form from James Moussa, who gained plenty of the ball and gave his all for the black and white.
The Fog is now comfortably in fourth position after some great footy in past few rounds.
