RADIO GAME | Essendon Doutta Stars v Pascoe Vale
THE Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division game of the round is at Nipper Jordan Oval with finals football on the line for these two sides.
Douttas almost pulled off a heist against Keilor last week but ultimately fell agonisingly short. An off the ball incident fired them up and they came storming home to nearly pull an important win.
Alex Marklew kicked three goals in the second half and big man Cleve Hughes chipped in with three as well.
Simon Clarke was influential before he was injured in the third term and was unable to take any further part in the game.
Peter Ntalianis and Jamie Allan were strong off the half back flank, their intercept marking and rebound exits a highlight.
Pascoe Vale were on song, kicking a massive 23 goals against West Coburg thanks to hauls of seven from Jacob Polizzi and five from Ben Warren.
Their defence was less pleasing, conceding 11 goals in the second half to allow West Coburg to score 103 points.
Douttas have shown their ability to score this season so the Panthers will have to be tighter this week or they’ll find themselves on the wrong side of a shootout.
The absence of Simon Clarke is a big loss for an already inexperienced and injury-riddled Douttas side, and gives the Panthers a big boost.
If Douttas can win they’ll overtake Pascoe Vale for third position and head into their clash with Maribyrnong Park full of confidence.
A Panthers win will see them move two games clear of Douttas, and at least a game clear of Greenvale and Marby Park, all but cementing their finals spot.
It’s all on the line for these two sides this week and it should be one for the ages.
Pascoe Vale by seven points.
Keilor v Maribyrnong Park
Keilor had a massive fright in a fiery clash against Douttas last week, a 24-point lead at the final break quickly disappearing, but the Blues had enough quality to hang on by only three points.
Dean Galea was the difference with seven goals, but Dylan Joyce, Kane Barbuto and Luke Cartelli played massive games in the midfield with first use from big man Dean Putt.
Ryan Hards kicked an important couple of goals, his first for the season, as did Jack Kennedy.
Maribyrnong Park faced a resilient Airport West, but broke the game open in the second half to win with ease.
It left them searching for the large percentage boost they would have liked, and makes finals an unlikely prospect.
Newly re-signed coach Robbie Castello kicked five goals and was ably supported by Jess Morano and Ben Jones with three goals each.
Nick Prowse had a big game in the ruck and Trent Lee had a big game despite not having an impact up forward. Caleb Vearing and James Breust continued their late season form with strong showings.
To keep their hopes alive, they’ll need to beat Keilor, which is a big ask despite the Blues showing some vulnerability of late.
Keilor by 20 points
Airport West v Aberfeldie
A strong second term performance against Maribyrnong Park saw Airport West trailing by only 16 points last week, but the Lions were able to step up a gear and win by 91.
Tom Clough managed to snag four of the Eagles’ six goals while Clayton Rogers was again one of Airport West’s best players.
Aberfeldie were inaccurate but solid in their win against Greenvale. Courtney Johns’ late season revival continues as he kicked three goals. Al Kefford also kicked three and Kyle Reimers kicked two.
Ryan Allan was best-on-ground and Mark Lynch and Brock McLean were vital in the midfield battle against a solid Jets line up. Jacob Craven was impressive as he held big man Trent Shinners goalless.
It’s an easier hit-out for Abers ahead of next week’s clash against Keilor, but they won’t take the foot off the pedal.
Aberfeldie by 100 points.
Strathmore v West Coburg
The Mores look to have started their post-season break early with a bad loss to Avondale Heights last week and they’ll want to be careful against a West Coburg side that has posed a threat often this season.
Todd Grima was their only multiple goalkicker with three majors as his side managed only eight goals for the day.
Andrew Horne and Sean Tighe were solid, but contributors were few and far between in a poor performance.
West Coburg were outclassed in a high-scoring affair, losing by 49 points despite kicking 16.7-103 themselves.
Danko Bzenic and Ruairi Clearly got in on the action to kick four goals apiece and Fab Brancatisano chipped in with two.
The three forwards all featured in the Burgers’ best players highlighting the attacking nature of the game.
Tom Baravi and Beau Hopkins had good games as they provided run and carry through the midfield.
West Coburg’s best wins this season have come in shootouts, and that style suits them better than it does Strathmore, but their scoring has stagnated since their early season form faded.
Both sides have only managed to hit the 100-point mark twice since Round 7, so it’s more likely that the game will be a low-scoring affair.
West Coburg by 13 points.
Greenvale v Avondale Heights
Well and truly into crunch time now for the Jets after their loss to Aberfeldie. They sit in fifth place behind Douttas on percentage and they’re up against a Heights side that shocked Strathmore last week.
The Jets started brightly against Abers but weren’t able to keep the pressure on after quarter time, eventually losing by 41 points.
Trent Shinners had little impact up forward and they missed the composure Matthew Smith brings as a swingman.
Brett Stillman played his best game of the season in an impressive display, and the Caruso brothers were key through the midfield despite the loss.
Heights had their best game of the season, keeping the Mores to a single goal in the first half in an excellent performance.
Patrick Rose was unstoppable with seven goals, taking his tally to 69 for the season. Phil Smith and Jackson Robb were instrumental, and big man Scott Clouston had a good game roaming the ground.
The Jets have an opportunity to jump back into the top four here with Douttas coming up against Pascoe Vale and Maribyrnong Park battling second-placed Keilor.
Their form is somewhat concerning despite a win against Keilor three weeks ago, with losses to Pascoe Vale, Douttas, Maribyrnong Park and Aberfeldie in recent times underlining their inconsistency.
Heights on the other hand have played their best football in the last month with wins against Strathmore and Douttas, an 11-point loss to West Coburg and a 19-point loss to Pascoe Vale.
Greenvale by 17 points.
