GREENVALE v MARIBYRNONG PARK - Radio Game
THESE two clubs are no strangers to big games but are probably more accustomed to them in mid-September as opposed to early August.
Both Greenvale and Maribyrnong Park have been shaky with their form but both sides have suffered personnel issues and as a result, neither has really put their best foot forward.
So this could well come down to who has the better complement of their best 22 out on the park.
Last week’s list of outs for Maribyrnong Park included Caleb Vearing, Robbie Castello, Connor Maher, Sam O’Brien, Scott Clarke, Josh Pickess and Jake Byrush.
That’s a lot of VFL and EDFL Interleague experience out of action.
Greenvale’s injury woes have been well-documented as well, with Addam Maric (six games), Nick Parthenopoulos (six), Daniel Burns (eight), Courtenay Dempsey (two) and Ryan Townsend (four) all missing large chunks of the season.
Maric’s clearly being managed while Dempsey returned last week but had little impact on restricted minutes against Aberfeldie.
The loser could well miss the final four, so it’s nearly a virtual final where the fitter team will emerge victorious.
ABERFELDIE v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Rivalry games often don’t follow the script.
Back in Round 7 the first meeting between these two local foes certainly did pan out as expected, with Jayden Foster slamming through eight goals in a 123-point Aberfeldie win at Nipper Jordan Oval.
But 70 days is a long time in EDFL football.
Round 7 was the low-point of Douttas’ season and since that gloomy late May afternoon, the Stars have been much better.
Relegation is now no longer fait accompli and they’ve done enough to lift themselves off the bottom of the ladder.
After two wins, their season now has a completely different complexion and they’ll be primed for a big showdown against the arch enemy.
Aberfeldie will be very confident about its finals chances after a disciplined performance against Greenvale last week.
It was an even contribution across the board but to have premiership players Ryan Allan and Nic Cattapan return to the side and have an immediate impact will give Adam Potter plenty of confidence.
This will come down to depth, which is clearly in Aberfeldie’s favour here.
PASCOE VALE v AVONDALE HEIGHTS
Pascoe Vale’s naysayers were silenced last week.
After easily accounting for Maribyrnong Park last week, the Panthers now have the scalps of four of the five teams above them on the current ladder (Keilor is the exception).
Their run home includes each of the bottom four teams of the division, so that win over the Lions was vital, especially given the long list of key players that were missing at Monk Oval.
Some of Pacco’s most dangerous playmakers stood up against Marby, including Matt Watson (four goals), Daniel Harris (three) and Eamonn Ogden.
That group alone is enough to overcome Avondale Heights, but if Lachie Hansen, Ben Ross or Giles Guest return this week, then Avondale Heights’ already slim chances of a win will dwindle even further.
Luke Edwards and Scott Clouston need to have a big day in front of the sticks for the Heights to be any chance.
STRATHMORE v WEST COBURG
West Coburg’s horror run of form might not get any better this weekend, because Strathmore is on a mission.
The Mores are an EDFL powerhouse but haven’t been on Windy Hill on the last day of the season for four years.
Nathan Grima did last year lead his side to the hallowed turf for the first time in since their 2014 premiership, but the Mores were knocked out of the finals by Maribyrnong Park.
With the next generation of Strathmore stars now at his disposal, Grima is hellbent on taking his side back to the top and they have the right mix of youth and experience to maybe go all the way this year.
To do that a top two finish is vital.
A currently poor percentage could well keep them away from a second semi final berth, so the Mores would be wise not to let up against a struggling West Coburg outfit.
With Daniel Archer enjoying a solid day up forward, West Coburg played well at Keilor last week but couldn’t keep up with the Blues the longer the game went.
Percentage could well be the deciding factor in the Burgers’ fight to avoid relegation, so the final margin here is as important as the result itself.
KEILOR v GLENROY
Back in Round 7, Keilor was coming off back-to-back losses to Aberfeldie and Maribyrnong Park and sitting fourth on the ladder.
With key players out of the side, the Blues took their frustrations out on a helpless Glenroy outfit and the final margin ended up at 125 points.
The Blues haven’t lost since, are now on an eight-game winning streak, and sit on top of the ladder as the premiership favourite with one month to go before the finals.
For Mick McGuane, the most pleasing thing about last week’s win over West Coburg would have been the return of premiership duo Andrew Browne and Mick Tanner.
Add to that another outstanding performance from Nick O’Kearney and it’s hard to look past Keilor as the team to beat right now in Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division.
That makes Glenroy’s challenge nearly impossible, but they’ll have a crack.
The Round 7 loss dented Glenroy’s pride and it will be fresh in their minds come Saturday.
With nothing else to really play for, Glenroy will come out firing and play with freedom, which will hopefully provide for a good show at Joe Brown Oval.
