TULLAMARINE v CRAIGIEBURN
🎥 Broadcast Game 📻
Saturday 2:15pm at Leo Dineen Reserve
TULLAMARINE is sitting pretty at the top of the table but have a big challenge this weekend in facing Craigieburn.
The Eagles are the only team to beat the Demons back in Round 2.
The Demons were impressive against Westmeadows in their last match, despite being under-strength.
Like the first time the two teams played, the Demons were the stronger of the two teams in the run home, this time kicking four goals to two in the last quarter to seal the win.
Blair Cronin, who kicked two goals, was named best-on-ground, while Tim Matson was impressive against equal division leading goal kicker Omar Saad, who was restricted to one goal.
The Eagles, who come into the game against the Demons after having the bye, were impressive in their last outing against Hillside.
They are expected to have several players return from injury this week, which will only strengthen their line-up further.
HILLSIDE v TAYLORS LAKES
Saturday 2:15pm at Hillside Reserve
This local derby is one of the more interesting contests heading into this weekend.
While the Sharks will be clear favourites on paper, the Lions will have some confidence heading into the game having won the battle between the two teams on Good Friday.
The Sharks also know the match is a must-win with their finals hopes on the line.
Hillside enters the match on the back of a solid win against Oak Park last week.
It was a strong first half for the Sharks, before a dourer second half with just four goals kicked between the two teams.
The Sharks, though, were able to build their lead throughout.
Bailey Ryan kicked four goals to now have 10 goals from his four games, while Michael Ajaimy was named the Sharks’ best for a second successive week.
Taylors Lakes enters the match on the back of a loss to East Keilor, but would be thrilled with the improvement of the side.
In Round 1, East Keilor smashed them off the park.
This time the Lions were in the game until the last quarter.
James McGrath kicked his fourth straight bag of three or more goals, this time booting five, while Brett Thorson was the standout around the ground.
While finals are out of the equation for the Lions, a win here would give them bragging rights over the old rival and lower their odds of avoiding relegation.
ROXBURGH PARK v EAST KEILOR
Saturday 2:15pm at Lakeside Oval
On paper, this is the most one-sided matches of the round, but it could be a good indication of how far the two teams have come this season.
Last time they met back in Round 2, it got very ugly for the Magpies with an 185-point loss.
But a lot has changed since then and the Magpies will be looking to make massive inroads into that margin.
Last week, Roxburgh Park had its moments against West Coburg, but weren’t able to maintain it for four quarters.
Jack Omogrosso kicked four goals, while Luke Capuano was against solid up forward with three.
Jay Barbera was the Magpies’ best.
They face a Cougars side that produced a hard-fought win against Taylors Lakes.
After a one-sided affair in Round 1, the Lions pushed the Cougars for three and a bit quarters before running out of legs.
Dion Hill was the star of the day kicking seven goals to take the outright lead in the Division 1 goal kicking race.
Joseph Palazzolo was another star to have a strong day for the Cougars.
Did that result at Taylors Lakes show that the gap between East Keilor and the bottom sides has closed?
WESTMEADOWS v WEST COBURG
Saturday 2:15pm at Willowbrook Reserve
Westmeadows has had an interesting run of matches which has seen it drop two of its last three.
The Tigers have been in every match they’ve played this season, but at times have lacked the finishing touch.
That was the case again last week at Tullamarine.
Just two points separated the teams at three-quarter time before the Demons found another level in the last quarter.
Returning skipper Robbie Castello kicked three goals for the Tigers and was named their best along with youngster Jordan Hollow.
This looms as a must-win match for the Tigers, with Hillside and now West Coburg on their tails.
West Coburg’s challenge is to beat a side above them on the ladder, something that they haven’t been able to do so far.
They’ve shown good signs over the last few weeks, including falling just short against East Keilor.
The Burgers did what they had to do against Roxburgh Park last week.
They managed to build a solid lead and extend it throughout the day to come away with a good win.
Liam Bowkett continued his good form with four goals to now sit third in the goal kicking table.
Abdikhane Fitaax was another handy target up forward, also kicking four goals.
A win here for the Burgers would have them sitting just one game outside the four and looking like every chance of challenging the top three come the pointy end of the season.
