COBURG DISTRICTS 13.14-92 def. by NORTHERN SAINTS 14.11-95
A BOISTEROUS crowd at Cole Reserve was not disappointed in this clash between two genuine contenders.
In what was a goal-for-goal affair, both Arthur Lamaris and Brad Fenton showed great leadership for their respective teams.
Lamaris led the Lions with five majors while Fenton finished with three for the Saints.
After an exciting first half, the third quarter was dominated by the Northern Saints, kicking seven goals to one to lead by 38 points at three-quarter time.
But a spirited Lions outfit felt they were still in it and were able to kick six un-answered goals, giving them the lead 28 minutes into the final term.
The Saints needed a hero and Shane Sartori stepped up to the plate.
He converted a clutch set shot from 45 metres out in the last minute to seal an astonishing three-point victory for the Saints and that dropped Coburg Districts down to second spot on the Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 ladder.
EAST SUNBURY 12.6-78 def. by MOONEE VALLEY 13.8-86
The most important game of the season for both sides resulted in a thriller.
It was a neck-and-neck shoot-out between two teams with potent forwards at each end.
The Thunder’s Tom Burnside was able to bag four goals, continuing some great form in the second half of the season.
But he was outshone by Moonee Valley’s Anthony Ciancio, who had his best game of the season with a bag of six that helped lift the Fog over the line.
Experience and class from Moonee Valley was helpful under pressure and proved to be no match for a young East Sunbury outfit, who eventually went down by eight points.
ROXBURGH PARK 18.7-115 def. KEILOR PARK 12.14-86
The battle of the ‘Parks’ seems to build each time these two teams clash and again, a quality high-scoring affair was on display.
After a dominant seven goals to two by the Magpies to start the game, it felt like this was all over from the start.
But a resilient Keilor Park outfit fought back and at half time were within 21 points.
Brett Thomas was again influential for the Devils and his speed and promising forward entry work helped keep them in the game.
But fitness and accuracy prevailed for the Magpies as the game went on, with Mark Sabatino kicking six goals.
The Magpies were professional in the second half with accuracy in front of goal and run in legs until the final siren.
In the end they were able to get over the Devils by 29 points.
BURNSIDE HEIGHTS 2.3-15 def. by JACANA 26.23-179
A demolishing performance was put on display by a team that has now proved it is the one to beat come finals time.
Jacana has now moved to the top of the Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 ladder, jumping the Lions with a huge win.
The Jags had countless inside 50s and there was little the Bears could do about it.
Burnside Heights was no match for Cameron Cloke, who had his biggest game of the year and had the ball on a string, bagging 15 majors and edging ever so closer toward a century.
A counter-attacking defence and confident footy by the Jaguars was no match for the Bears, who couldn't come back from a big first quarter deficit and eventually went down by a whopping 164 points to the new ladder leader.
