PASCOE VALE v GREENVALE
🎥 Broadcast Game 📻
Saturday 2:15pm at Raeburn Reserve
STRATHMORE’S recent good form has put pressure back onto both the Panthers and Jets as we approach the business end of the season.
Pascoe Vale and Greenvale have both been patchy for much of the season and if the Mores continue to produce good footy, then there’s only one spot left in the final four for each of these two to fight for.
So, this becomes a huge game for both teams.
Pascoe Vale’s only major letdown of late was a Round 6 draw at Glenroy.
The Panthers responded from a 21-point loss at Aberfeldie with a very solid 79-point win over Airport West two weeks ago and did so without Dean Soncin, Michael Ross, Jesse Boyd, Nick Keating and Kristian Economou.
Their depth was put to the test and the Panthers passed it with flying colours.
But now comes the big one.
When the chips are stacked high, Pascoe Vale has historically struggled.
Greenvale would have welcomed the mid-season split round break after battling through three consecutive close contests that yielded two wins.
The Jets’ star power has come to the fore through the middle portions of the season so far, but they need more out of their lower tier.
Fabian Deluca’s influence in the ruck will be vital against Pascoe Vale’s experienced and decorated midfield, while the forward line combo of Jacob Thompson and Courtenay Dempsey need to fire with Matthew Watson and Josh Cauchi in good form at the other end.
It’s a game that could go either way and is more than worthy of EDFL Match of the Day status this Saturday.
AIRPORT WEST v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Saturday 2:15pm at Hansen Reserve
Airport West’s first game back up in Premier Division was against Essendon Doutta Stars back in April.
That day the Eagles went down by 10 goals.
The big question coming into this weekend’s re-match with the Stars is whether the Eagles have improved since the start of the season.
Their worst has been horrible, but their best has proven competitive against more established Premier Division opponents.
The Round 9 loss at Pascoe Vale was a huge letdown after the previous week’s scintillating display against Avondale Heights on EDFL Match of the Day.
It was the sixth time this season Airport West has conceded 100-plus points after back-to-back efforts of reducing opposition to less than 100.
Airport West needs to toss aside the Pascoe Vale result and look to re-capture the edge they had against both Strathmore and Avondale Heights early last month.
That means increased effort through midfield and solid execution inside forward 50.
For Essendon Doutta Stars, the key is to ensure they bring the heat and match Airport West for intensity in the engine room.
We know what we’re going to get from Jordan Schroder, Tom Wallis and Bruno Laguda, so Kyle Hardingham will be imploring the rest of his side to follow suit and put together four consistent quarters of footy, which has been the Stars’ big weakness for much of the season to date.
AVONDALE HEIGHTS v MARIBYRNONG PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Canning Reserve
While neither is currently in the bottom two on the ladder, both Avondale Heights and Maribyrnong Park would to love some breathing space from the threat of relegation.
The Lions most likely only need one more win to ensure they enter Season 2020 as a Premier Division club, while Avondale Heights would like to go better than 2-7 in the second half of the season to ensure safety come the end of Round 18.
When the two first met back in Round 1, Jock Cornell and James Breust combined for seven goals to help Marby to a comfortable 37-point win at Monk Oval.
Avondale Heights fielded a fair chunk of its best 22, including Hisham Kerbatieh who booted three on club debut, yet couldn’t fire a decent shot on the day.
The Heights were fumbly and poor by foot across half back, allowing Maribyrnong Park to penetrate at goal more often throughout the day.
Here, it’s going to be vital for Donald McDonald’s men to play a clean brand of footy and utilise their playmakers effectively and often.
If Tom Russell can have an impact in the ruck and the likes of Mathew Cravino and the Robb twins get plenty of the ball, then Avondale Heights is a chance.
But with Breust, Cornell and now Brandon Ryan all playing good footy of late inside Maribyrnong Park’s forward half, winning the midfield battle may not be enough.
Both sides are fairly even for scoring prowess, but the Lions have been better defensively.
So it’s a big game for Avondale Heights’ back six.
