Jets Put A Hammer In Marby's Finals Coffin
GREENVALE bravely withstood a late Maribyrnong Park charge to win the closest Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division game of the weekend on EDFL Match of the Day.
At a windy Section Road, the injury-hampered Lions had the breeze at their backs in the final term as they attempted to mount a six-goal comeback.
While they were successful in keeping the Jets goalless in the last, Marby eventually fell seven points short of victory in a result that could well spell the end of their bid to make this year’s finals series.
The Jets were more reliable in front of goal and their cleaner ball-use around the ground was a key difference in the game, with Courtenay Dempsey (two goals) and RAWFORM Seamless Compression Player of the Day Jarryd Bonello both starring for the hosts.
Greenvale rose to third spot on the ladder while Maribyrnong Park was the big loser of the weekend, slipping three spots down to fifth spot.
The Lions are now outside the top four with Keilor, Aberfeldie and Glenroy to come in their run home.
Final: Greenvale 11.6-72 def. Maribyrnong Park 9.11-65
Sharks Circling For Top Four Finish
HILLSIDE is another step closer to sneaking into the Essendon Ford Division 1 final four after taking care of East Keilor at Overland Reserve.
After a slow start on Saturday, the Sharks kicked clear of the Cougars in the second term and never looked back, going on to record a 29-point win that keeps them in touch with the top four.
Hadfield premiership playing-coach Raaf Rachrache was the star up forward with four goals while Liam Johnstone and Jackson Volpato both starred for the Sharks.
Hillside’s final home-and-away fixture is this weekend at home to Jacana and they’ll be looking to increase their percentage gap on Taylors Lakes as the two local rivals fight for fourth spot.
The Lions had the bye on Satruday and will play two massive games against Tullamarine and Craigieburn in their run home, while Hillside will have a bye after this weekend’s clash against the Jaguars.
Final: East Keilor 9.14-68 def. by Hillside 13.19-97
Eagles Get Another Win As Coach Announces Departure
A SEVEN-GOAL haul from Brent Gordon helped Craigieburn make easy work of Westmeadows at DS Aitken Reserve.
Gordon was an easy choice for best-no-ground as the Eagles broke clear from the Tigers after quarter time, going on to record a 76-point win.
The Tigers couldn’t keep up after the first change and as has been the case for most of their year, they simply didn’t have the cattle to compete with one of the better sides of Essendon Ford Division 1.
Dean Clare kicked three goals and Justin Taylor was good again, but the Eagles weren’t troubled on Saturday.
A finals berth is not yet locked in, as the Eagles could slip out of the final four if both Hillside and Taylors Lakes remain undefeated in each of their remaining fixtures.
After a bye this weekend, Craigieburn will go to Lionheart Reserve to face Taylors Lakes in what could be a virtual final in Round 18.
Following Saturday’s win, Craigieburn coach Peter Bugden told Leader Newspapers he will be stepping down from the Eagles job at season’s end.
Final: Craigieburn 20.12-132 def. Westmeadows 8.8-56
Another Close Loss Adds Drama To Thunder Finals Chase
EAST Sunbury is still clinging onto fourth spot on the Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 ladder after again falling narrowly short of a win on Saturday.
In a game that followed a very similar script to the one played on the same ground seven days earlier, the Thunder was engaged in a tight arm wrestle with Roxburgh Park from start to finish.
The Thunder stormed out of the blocks with four goals to one in the opening term but were held scoreless in the second as the Magpies made solid use of the scoring end to go into the main break up by 11 points.
By three-quarter time East Sunbury was back in front, but the Thunder couldn’t hold on in the last for the second game in a row, eventually going down by a point in eerily similar fashion to the week before.
Osama Saad returned to the line-up and was crucial with three goals for the Magpies.
Final: East Sunbury 10.8-68 def. by Roxburgh Park 10.9-69
Valley Remains On Top, Takes Care Of Saints
MOONEE Valley might be on its way to a top two finish in Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 after beating the Northern Saints for the second time this season.
The Fog made a statement from the get-go at Charles Mutton Reserve, kicking six goals to two in the opening term and never looking back.
With three goals each to Jack Newman, Braden Padmore and Matthew Brown, the Valley had no issues dealing with the exclusion of leading goalkicker, Jordan Faba.
The Saints also lacked some star power with Rocky Ferraro, Ryan Lofaro and Ahmed Abdul-Wahed all missing from Saturday’s 32-point loss.
The result had no impact on the top two on the ladder, with both clubs still on track to meet again in the September 1 Semi Final at Coburg City Oval – the winner of which will advance to the grand final.
Final: Northern Saints 13.9-87 def. by Moonee Valley 18.11-119
Women’s Final Four Locked In As Tigers, Roos Advance
WESTMEADOWS pulled off an impressive upset to advance to a preliminary final berth against Burnside Heights this coming Sunday.
The Lions avenged their six-point Round 7 loss to Aberfeldie by knocking the Gorillas out of the finals in a Semi Final thriller at Lionheart Reserve.
The Lintons were in fine form, contributing two of Westmeadows’ four goals in a tight affair, while best-on honours went to Stephanie Andrews.
The result confirmed a straight sets exit for Aberfeldie.
Meanwhile the Sunbury Kangaroos were able to take care of their crosstown rival Lions at Canning Reserve in Sunday’s other Semi Final.
The Kangaroos led from the front for the entire day, with star duo Bailee Said (two goals) and Tylah Bell (best-on-ground) helping the favourites advance to a prelim final date with Pascoe Vale.
Yolanda Jones was best-on for the Lions.
PRELIMINARY FINAL 1
Pascoe Vale v Sunbury Kangaroos
Sunday 2pm @ Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve
PRELIMINARY FINAL 2
Burnside Heights v Westmeadows
Sunday 2pm @ Hillside Reserve
