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Round 21 Preview - Strathmore Community Bank Division 2

By JULIA MONTESANO


MOONEE VALLEY v ROXBURGH PARK

THIS is a potential Grand Final preview.

If Roxburgh Park wins this game, it could slide into the top two, thanks to a superior percentage.

Last time these sides met, it was the Fog who got the win in blustery conditions.

The Magpies were inaccurate, kicking 4.15 for the day and would want to ensure that their fortunes change in this match.

This could be helped by the absence of dominant duo, Braden Padmore and Jordan Faba from the Moonee Valley side.

This gives license to players like Harley Short and Luke Capuano to capitalise on this absence in the midfield and inside 50.

But the Fog’s depth could come to hurt Roxburgh Park, as they have risen to the occasion in plenty of instances during the season.

They come into this game having won four out of their last five games and know how important this game is to their top two chances.

BURNSIDE HEIGHTS v NORTHERN SAINTS

Last time these two sides met, it was Burnside Heights who got over the line by eight points.

The Bears have also claimed the scalps of Moonee Valley and Roxburgh Park at home so anything is possible here.

Burnside Heights has nothing to play for and would love to end its successful season on a high note.

But the Northern Saints are fighting to keep their top two spot and must win to keep it.

They would also be hoping for a big percentage boost at season’s end to head into finals with momentum.

Star Saints forward, Khodr Taleb would be keen to play a big part in this as he looks to build on his 54 goals for the year.

He only kicked one in the Saints’ last match-up against the Bears with Daheg Abdul-Wahed kicking three.

With finals on their minds, the Saints would not want to drop this game as it could be the difference between a qualifying final and an elimination final.

COBURG DISTRICTS v EAST SUNBURY

With the top four locked in and East Sunbury securing a guaranteed finals berth, the Thunder would not want to take any risks at Cole Reserve.

They come into this game having won three out of their last five games.

With the losses in that period being by a combined margin of two points, the Thunder would want to make sure that they don’t concede another close loss to end the season.

Last time these sides faced off, it was a low-scoring affair where East Sunbury went down by eight points.

This was Glenn Hopkins’ first game in charge of the club and he would be hoping to show how much he has learned about the division this time round.

However, with Coburg Districts desperate to end its season on a high, it could again prove to be a difficult task for the Thunder.

Add that to losing four out of its last five games and you have a determined Coburg Districts outfit that could defy ladder positions and get a big win.

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