TAYLORS LAKES v AIRPORT WEST
TAYLORS Lakes’ hopes of getting a grip on a top four spot suffered a setback, with the Lions surprisingly losing to East Keilor last week.
It was a game that could have gone either way, with the Cougars taking the points and closing the gap between the two teams.
Chris Vulic kicked three goals for the Lions and was named their best, in a match they would have been disappointed to drop.
A loss this week to Airport West could see them two games outside the top four depending on other results.
The last time these two teams met, the Lions took it up to Airport West for a half, before the Eagles found another level.
The Eagles will have to make sure they are on their game, after a disappointing last off performance.
While they had the bye last round, the Eagles were disappointing in the top-of-the-table clash the previous round.
Tullamarine gave them a lesson and maybe it’s the kick that they needed, as while they had been winning matches, they hadn’t been putting four quarters together.
CRAIGIEBURN v EAST KEILOR
Craigieburn continues to put the pressure on the top sides, with another strong win against a finals contender.
For the second time this season, the Eagles kicked away from Hillside in the final quarter to get the win.
It was no surprise that Dean Limbach was leading the way up forward for the Eagles, kicking seven goals.
Samuel Laffan provided support with three of his own, while Damien Bugeja was named the Eagles’ best for a second straight week.
East Keilor won’t be easy beats, with the side starting to click.
They’re coming off their best win of the season, defeating Taylors Lakes by five points.
The Cougars are starting to find different options up forward, with Dion Hill the man on the weekend kicking five goals.
While their win against the Lions was their best win for the season, a win this weekend will kickstart their campaign and get them back among the finals conversation.
TULLAMARINE v WESTMEADOWS
There seems to be two versions of Tullamarine at the moment, and we don’t know which one will show up.
In some games, both the good and bad are on show and on other occasions, it’s just one or the other.
We saw the best of them against Airport West, before a disappointing letdown against Oak Park in the upset of the season so far last weekend.
The Kangaroos were able to find another level in the second half, with the Demons unable to go with them.
A few of the Demons’ more experienced players in Anthony Franchina, Adam Scott and Jack Kennedy stood up, but there was little support.
The result shows that if the Demons are just a little off, they can get beaten.
Westmeadows is hoping that the poor Tullamarine shows up on Saturday.
Like the Demons, they have been inconsistent at times this year.
Against Jacana, they played one good quarter of football to get over the line, with the Jaguars in the game at three-quarter time.
Despite some debate over whether he would play, former AFL star Corey McKernan pulled on the boots for the Tigers for the first time since his junior days.
He kicked three goals and was named one of the Tigers’ best.
Ben Drummond also kicked three goals and was named best-on-ground.
HILLSIDE v OAK PARK
It’s taken 10 rounds, but we are finally seeing why Essendon Ford Division 1 is known as one of the closest competitions in the state.
After losing their first six matches, the Kangaroos have found their groove and found it big time.
They caused the upset of the season so far, knocking off Tullamarine on Saturday.
Most impressive was the way they did it, controlling the game after half time.
Former captain Alex Gleeson starred with seven goals in his first game back at the club this season.
The result means they are just two games outside the top four and that could close even further this week if they can knock off Hillside.
The Sharks fell short against Craigieburn for the second time this season.
They’ve been able to win against the bottom five sides but have fallen short against the sides above them.
On Saturday, the Sharks stuck with the Eagles for three quarters.
Mitch Church continued his good form kicking seven goals and is now up to 34 for the season.
