HILLSIDE v ROXBURGH PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Hillside Reserve
HILLSIDE will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss on Good Friday to Taylors Lakes.
In a must-win game for the Sharks, they were let down by a poor start and were left chasing all day.
In both games so far, the Sharks have been slow out of the blocks before getting stronger as the game went on.
Raafat Rachrache kicked six goals for the Sharks against the Lions and was named their best.
The key for the Sharks this week is to get off to a good start and set the tempo early on.
It’s been a tough initiation for the Magpies in Division 1, which included an 185-point loss to East Keilor in Round 2.
It has taken other teams who have previously been in a similar situation as the Magpies a bit of time to adjust to the higher level and it appears to be the case here, too.
The question is, how long will it take?
The Magpies will be looking for a stronger performance this week and maybe with a bit of luck, they could get their first win.
TAYLORS LAKES v CRAIGIEBURN
Saturday 2:15pm at Lionheart Reserve
It was a very good Friday for Taylors Lakes as the side came away with a confidence-boosting win against arch rivals Hillside.
Like many of the annual clashes between the two sides, it was another one that went down to the wire.
On this occasion, the Lions had to hold on as the Sharks came at them late.
Rhys Deacon kicked four goals for the Lions to lead up front.
Having produced an improved performance, the Lions have a tougher challenge this week.
For the Eagles, it’s been a stop-start beginning to the season.
A bye in Round 1, then a game and then another weekend off.
From what we have seen from the Eagles in that small sample, they will be a side to watch this season.
Facing Tullamarine, the other pre-season favourite, the Eagles came home strongly to get the win.
John Bellino kicked five goals for the Eagles, with Brent Gordan and Steven Boyall providing good support up the ground.
The Eagles will be favourites to make it two from two, but they know they can’t take it easy.
TULLAMARINE v WEST COBURG
Saturday 6pm at Leo Dineen Reserve
Both these sides will be hoping to return to the winners list after losing to other finals contenders in the previous round.
The Demons had their moments against Craigieburn, but it was the Eagles that came up trumps in the final quarter.
While they were missing a couple of players like Anthony Liberatore, the Eagles were also in the same boat.
Caleb Harward and Brad Allen kicked two goals each in the loss, with Jonathan Hardman named their best.
The match-up with the Eagles was always going to be an early test for the Demons and it doesn’t get any easier this week against the Burgers.
The Burgers played in a thriller in Round 2 against Westmeadows but just fell short, losing by three points.
Playing coach Dale May kicked three goals in the loss, while Liam Bowkett, who kicked two goals, was named their best.
With a different line-up this season, it was always going to be interesting how they would gel and there are some good signs early on.
A bit of luck and West Coburg would have been 2-0.
It will be another challenge this week against one of the early season favourites.
This will be a good indication of where these two teams sit.
