CRAIGIEBURN v EAST KEILOR
Saturday 2:15pm at DS Aitken Reserve
FINALS have come early for these two teams, who could quite easily meet again next week.
It could even be an early grand final preview.
With the top two not sorted, there’s a bit of the line for both sides who will want to secure a double chance.
The Eagles need to win to ensure they finish top two, with Tullamarine sitting just percentage behind.
Craigieburn will be hoping to get a confidence boosting win against the only side they are yet to beat this season.
They enter the final round in good form, having won their last six games.
The Eagles did the damage early against Hillside last week, leading the Sharks by 66 points at half time.
While they lost the second half, it was still a comprehensive win.
Tye Browning, who was back from VFL commitments, was best-on-ground.
East Keilor, who will claim the minor premiership with a win here, have been doing what they need to do.
For a second straight week, they came from behind at three-quarter time to win, this time against West Coburg.
The Cougars kicked eight goals to three in the final term to win by 12 points.
Peter Tsavdaridis stepped up and kicked six goals for the Cougars in a best-on-ground performance.
He proved a good foil up forward, with the Cougars still without Dion Hill.
Hill hasn’t played since early July, with the club coy about his absence.
Despite that, he could still claim the division goal kicking award, sitting two goals clear heading into the final round.
TULLAMARINE v HILLSIDE
Saturday 2:15pm at Leo Dineen Reserve
Can Tullamarine move back into the top two?
The Demons know a win is vital this week if they are to have any chance, with the top two sides playing each other.
As well as getting a win, a percentage boost could well be needed.
The Demons did what they needed to against Roxburgh Park last week, where they opened up a lead in the first half, before a more even second half.
Brad Allen was again a key up forward kicking three goals, as five players kicked multiple goals.
Drew Simmons and David Scott were keys for the Demons in the win.
Tullamarine will face a side looking to send their coach out on a high.
Having already accepted they weren’t likely to play finals, the Sharks’ slight finals hopes ended last week.
A poor first half against Craigieburn was costly, with the side unable to pull back the 64-point deficit despite winning the second half.
It was the usual suspects for the Sharks, with Victor Micallef, Raafat Rachrache and Jackson Volpato named their best.
This week is the end of an era, with Steve Burns coaching his last game for Hillside.
Having had such a big impact on the club, the boys will want to send him out a winner.
ROXBURGH PARK v WESTMEADOWS
Saturday 2:15pm at Lakeside Oval
Roxburgh Park’s season is already a win, no matter what the result is this weekend.
The Magpies have done what not many teams have been able to do in recent years – stay up in Division 1 for a second season.
The Magpies have already secured Michael Farrelly as coach for next season, so things are looking bright.
They will be looking to bring win number four for the season up against the Tigers in the final round.
Roxburgh Park was competitive in the second half against Tullamarine in their last match, giving them some confidence.
The Magpies were only outscored by seven goals to four in the second half and lost the last quarter by one point.
Luke Capuano kicked four goals to take his tally 34 for the season, while Jay Barbera and Travis Cooke were named their best.
For the Tigers, this week is an interesting one.
Guaranteed to finish fourth, there are different ways the Tigers can approach it.
Do they rest players with one eye on next week, or do they play their best side and try and get some consistent form heading into finals?
Having had the bye on the weekend, you would think players will be itching to get back out there and have a run around before finals.
OAK PARK v WEST COBURG
Saturday 2:15pm at JP Fawkner Reserve
Pride is on the line for these two teams as they look to finish off their seasons on a high.
Last week’s loss resigned Oak Park to finishing last and with that, relegation to Strathmore Community Bank Division 2.
The Burgers, on the other hand, will finish in the middle of the table, out of finals contention.
It’s been a disappointing season for the Kangaroos, who have just one win to date.
They’ve been competitive in a lot of their games, but they just haven’t been able to put it all together.
Last week against Taylors Lakes, it was a poor first quarter that cost them.
They trailed by five goals to one and weren’t able to get any closer after that.
The side’s leading goal kicker, Aden Harris, was the lone multiple goal scorer for the Kangaroos with two.
Ruckman James Barnes found some form and was named the Kangaroos’ best alongside Jack Pascu.
This game will bring an end to a mixed season for West Coburg.
They beat all the teams they should have beaten and they were able to push the top sides, but fell short of finals.
A four-game losing streak early in the season proved costly.
The Burgers’ slight finals hopes ended with a loss to East Keilor last week.
Just like much of their season, it was a case of so close, but so far.
The Burgers led at each of the three changes but were overrun late.
Liam Bowkett and Andrew Careri kicked four goals each, with Mitchell Miller named West Coburg’s best.
