HILLSIDE v AIRPORT WEST
THIS is a must-win match for the Sharks as they look to stay in touch with the top four sides.
The Sharks took it up to Tullamarine on the weekend for three and a half quarters, before the Demons found another level late.
Raafat Rachrache was the Sharks’ best, while Mitch Church kicked three goals in the loss.
The loss meant the Sharks slipped to fifth and are still without a win against the top three sides.
It doesn’t get any easier here, coming up against the current ladder leader.
The Eagles had a similar match to the Sharks on the weekend, but they came out on the right side of it against Craigieburn.
Airport West kicked the last two goals of the game to get the win and hold onto top spot.
Daniel Sinnott and Lachlan Di Sebastiano were the best for the Eagles as they yet again showed they could get the points in close matches.
Another win here for the Eagles would all but seal a top two finish.
TULLAMARINE v EAST KEILOR
The Demons left it late to get the job done against Hillside, in what was a preview of what finals could be like.
Not for the first time, the Demons found another level late and this time knocked off another potential finalist.
Ryan Pretty kicked three goals, while Jack Kennedy starred in his return from suspension.
With results falling their way, only a couple of upset losses would see the Demons fall outside the top two.
The Cougars kept their small finals hopes alive with a good win against Jacana.
They got the jump early on and that was all that was needed to get the win, with Dion Hill and Scott Eldridge kicking four goals.
Sitting eight points outside the top four, the Cougars need to win every match in the run home.
With a favourable draw, this match is vital for the Cougars.
TAYLORS LAKES v JACANA
Taylors Lakes is doing most things well as its looks to return to the finals.
The Lions are winning the games they should be winning and they’re more than competitive against the top sides, so it’s no surprise they’ve moved into the top four.
On Saturday, they had no troubles after quarter time in accounting for Westmeadows as they had 11 more scoring shots.
Rory Alexander continued his good run of form and kicked six goals in a best-on-ground performance.
He had good support from Rhys Deacon, who kicked four.
On paper, this is the last of the easy games for the Lions, so a win is important in the context of their season.
If Airport West beats Hillside, the Lions will have a six-point gap on the Sharks if they can win here.
It was a big week for the Jaguars with Robert Fletcher telling the club that he is not going to coach on next season.
The Jaguars had offered Fletcher a new contract, but being unsure whether he wanted to coach again, he decided to step down.
On the field they were competitive for three quarters against East Keilor, but a poor first quarter cost them.
Having played some good football for three quarters, the Jaguars will take some confidence into this week.
CRAIGIEBURN v OAK PARK
It was another case of close, but not close enough for Craigieburn against one of the top two sides.
The Eagles have been in every game against Airport West and Tullamarine but haven’t been able to get the job done.
On Saturday, it was only in the dying minutes that Airport West got over the line.
For Craigieburn, Ben Fynch and Nathan Perrone were the standouts, but that wasn’t enough.
The Eagles need to return to the winners’ list this week, with a number of teams chasing finals spots.
They will take on a fresh Oak Park side that is coming off the bye.
The Kangaroos had been a little up and down before the bye… most recently going down to Taylors Lakes.
While still mathematically in the finals race, a top four finish is unlikely, but the Kangaroos can help shape the final four.
