GREENVALE 15.14-104 def. ABERFELDIE 12.10-82
GREENVALE has laid claim on top dog in Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division with a convincing 22-point win over archrivals Aberfeldie at Section Road.
The top-of-the-table clash was a hotly-contested game with both sides inseparable at half time.
The ability to spread in the space of Section Road and break through the corridor gave Paul Chapman’s side the upper hand in the second half, as the Jets kicked away with nine goals to six.
Twelve individual goal kickers for the Jets kept their forward flourishes unpredictable and had the Aberfeldie backline guessing all afternoon.
Addam Maric’s unbelievable season continued as the midfielder slotted another three goals while Fabian Deluca dominated the ruck with two goals to compliment his game.
Kyle Reimers was among Aberfeldie’s best with five goals.
Aberfeldie remain second on the ladder despite the loss and will welcome Keilor to Clifton Park next week.
The Jets travel to Lebanon Reserve to take on Strathmore.
KEILOR 15.13-103 def. ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS 15.11-101
A two-point thriller at Joe Brown Oval has kept Keilor right in the hunt for a top four finish in Season 2017.
The Stars began the game in scintillating fashion to lead by 26 points at quarter time, but a driven and determined Keilor clawed their way back to lead by five at the main break.
An electrifying final term saw both sides hit the lead deep into the game with the Blues just able to hold on.
The inclusion of Luke McGuane proved vital as the playing co-coach and spearhead Dean Galea kicked four goals apiece.
Douttas had a good return from their forwards as well with Lachie Ronaldson, Josh Schroder and Alex Marklew all kicking three goals.
Kieran Bell played his best game of the year kicking three goals for the Blues.
Shylo Smith’s return from a hamstring injury saw the Douttas skipper kick one.
Keilor sit just outside the top four on percentage, while Doutta Stars are now two wins off the pace in sixth.
MARIBYRNONG PARK 10.11-71 def. by STRATHMORE 10.15-75
One of the season’s most enthralling matches saw Strathmore bounce back to the winner’s list downing Maribyrnong Park by four points.
It was nearly impossible to split the two top four sides at Monk Oval as just two, one and three points separated Robbie Castello and Nathan Grima’s teams at each of the breaks.
Matt Little starred for the away side kicking four crucial goals with team mates Adam Iacobucci, Michael Firrito and Jaryd Cachia dominating around the ground.
Will Martinello was again one of the best players to take the field for Maribyrnong Park, as the silky midfielder firms as one of the favourites to take out this year’s Reynolds Medal.
Maribyrnong Park has now lost their last two games, both at home, to find themselves one game out of the top two.
The win consolidates the Mores’ spot inside the top four ahead of a big game against Greenvale this coming weekend.
AVONDALE HEIGHTS 25.16-166 def. CRAIGIEBURN 2.5-17
The messiah of Canning Reserve worked his magic again as Donald McDonald rallied his side to a third straight win defeating Craigieburn by 149 points.
The Heights dominated early to keep Craigieburn scoreless at quarter time all while putting nine goals of their own on the board.
From there Avondale controlled the match with the Eagles finally getting goals on the board in the fourth quarter courtesy of John Bellino and Jamie Gorgievski.
Patrick Rose and Matthew Williamson kicked eight and seven goals respectively for Avondale while Luke Edwards chipped in with four goals to his name.
Eagles’ skipper Brent Gordon was best-on for his team.
The percentage booster was a much needed one for Avondale as the Heights face their biggest test so far under McDonald, a trip to Nipper Jordan Oval to play Essendon Doutta Stars.
PASCOE VALE 17.20-122 def. WEST COBURG 7.6-48
Pascoe Vale have finally returned to the winners list in style, defeating West Coburg by 74 points at Raeburn Reserve.
Dean Soncin was best-on-ground as the Panthers secured their second win at home for the season all while breaking a seven-game losing streak.
Giles Guest kicked four goals for the home side with Jacob Polizzi also chipping in with three of his own.
Ben Ross and Paul Bunn were the other multiple goal kickers for Pacco, each kicking two.
West Coburg struggled for consistency after a big win over Strathmore last weekend, a trait that has haunted Digby Morell’s side for most of their Premier Division tenure.
One of the only positives coming out of the game for the Burgers was another robust outing for Marwan Abdulwahed, who has strung together a strong form line in recent weeks.
After leapfrogging West Coburg on the ladder into eighth spot, Pascoe Vale will look to make it two wins on the run as they travel to Craigieburn’s DS Aitken Reserve.
A return to Piranha Park to face Maribyrnong Park is the next challenge that awaits West Coburg.
