WEST COBURG v TULLAMARINE
Saturday 2:15pm at Coburg City Oval
CAN West Coburg keep its small finals hopes alive?
The Burgers, who had the bye last weekend, still remain in finals contention, with a number of the teams in the top four playing each other in recent weeks.
It’s a tough ask with the Burgers needing to pull off a few upsets and this would be the perfect start.
The Demons, though, are starting to find their best form.
Tullamarine kicked a team season-high 170 points against Taylors Lakes last weekend.
They jumped out of the blocks with a massive 17 scoring shots in the first quarter and they were able to continue that on throughout the game.
Brad Allen was again the star up forward with eight goals, but had plenty of support with Ryan Pretty, Justin Marcy, Anthony Liberatore, Travis Anderson and Dean Bartrop all kicking multiples.
Dean Simmons was the Demons’ best in the massive win.
The Demons are sitting pretty on top, having not lost since Round 2, so things are looking good down at Leo Dineen Reserve.
CRAIGIEBURN v TAYLORS LAKES
Saturday 2:15pm at DS Aitken Reserve
Craigieburn bounced back with a strong win against Westmeadows on Saturday.
After struggling in the wet the previous week, the Eagles were quick out of the blocks against a side also looking to shore up a top four spot.
With a 50-point lead at half time, the two sides had a more even second half, but the damage had been done.
Brock Chircop and John Bellino kicked four goals each for Eagles.
Anthony Righele was named the Eagles’ best, while Tye Browning continues to have an impact since returning from the Calder Cannons.
Taylors Lakes well and truly back in the relegation zone, with Oak Park getting a win last week.
The Lions currently only sit one game clear of the Kangaroos.
It was a tough weekend for the Lions against top side Tullamarine.
The Lions conceded 17 shots on goal in the first quarter and it was tough going after that.
Rhys Deacon provided a good target up forward, kicking five goals, while Trent Forbes was named their best.
It will be a tough ask for the Lions this week against a side which showed some red-hot form in Round 12.
ROXBURGH PARK v HILLSIDE
Saturday 2:15pm at Lakeside Oval
Both of these sides will be looking to bounce back after disappointing results last weekend.
The Magpies let slip the opportunity to all but seal up a spot in Division 1 for next season, losing to Oak Park.
They currently sit bottom, but still have to have a second bye to come.
While the Magpies knew how important the game was, they failed to perform on the day, putting out one of their worst displays of the year.
Luke Capuano kicked four goals for the Magpies and was one of their best alongside Jay Barbera, Jamie Grant and Tom Baker.
Magpies coach Michael Farrelly said the loss was a step backwards after improvements in recent weeks.
They will be looking to bounce back against a Hillside team that fell short against East Keilor.
After just falling short the first time the two teams met, it was a bigger margin this time round.
The Cougars won every quarter as it recorded a 50-point win.
Stephen Syme kicked three goals for the Sharks, while Victor Micallef was again named their best.
Hillside remains a game and percentage outside the top four and to make the finals, the Sharks have to win games like this.
WESTMEADOWS v OAK PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Willowbrook Reserve
What may have looked straight forward on paper a couple of weeks ago, got a lot more interesting with Round 12 panning out the way it did.
Westmeadows comes into the match off one of its worst performances, while Oak Park finally got a win on the board.
The Tigers proved no match for Craigieburn, with the Eagles leading from start to finish.
Westmeadows did finish well, though, winning the last quarter.
Tom Muscat and Mitch Church kicked two goals each for the Tigers with Simon Collis named their best.
An injury to in-form Robbie Castello didn’t help their cause.
Oak Park sparked life into the relegation battle, with their first win of the season.
It was a strong four-quarter performance from the Kangaroos, as they easily accounted for a disappointing Roxburgh Park side.
The Kangaroos got the jump early and extended the margin throughout.
Aden Harris kicked four goals up forward, while Jack Kennedy was also handy with three.
Danny Rajab, who has been one of the Kangaroos’ most consistent players this season, was named their best.
For now, they have moved above the Magpies on the ladder, though the Magpies still have a second bye to come.
With a win finally Oak Park’s belt, it might be the catalyst for a few more in the run home.
