EAST KEILOR v CRAIGIEBURN
Saturday 2:15pm at Overland Reserve
CAN East Keilor get back on the winners list?
After a strong start to the season, the Cougars have slipped up in the last couple of weeks and are well and truly back in the chasing pack.
For nearly three quarters, the Cougars looked like knocking off Tullamarine last weekend, but were put to the sword late as the Demons kicked five goals to one in the final term.
Brenden Lucas kicked four goals for the Cougars in his first match for the year, while Nathan Lyons provided handy support with three.
The Cougars’ task to get back on the winners list doesn’t get any easier when they face ladder leaders, Craigieburn.
The Eagles come into the match on the back of some solid form against bottom side, Oak Park.
They were a little bit slow out of the blocks, but when they hit the front in the second half they stayed there, running away to a comfortable 58-point win.
Jesse Davies kicked six goals in the win, but it wasn’t enough for best-on-ground honours, which went to Shannon Smith, who kicked five goals for the second time in three rounds.
A win here for either side would help cement their spots in the top four.
HILLSIDE v TULLAMARINE
Saturday 2:15pm at Hillside Reserve
Hillside is proving it can’t be discounted when it comes to being mentioned among the top teams of the division.
While East Keilor and then Westmeadows have been talked up about their performances, the Sharks had been going along nicely and kept doing their thing under the radar.
That was until Saturday, when they upset the form team of the competition, Westmeadows.
The Sharks led throughout the day, but only just got over the line against a fast-finishing, but inaccurate Tigers outfit.
Stephen Syme kicked four goals up forward, while Raafat Rachrache had another strong performance.
The pleasing thing for the Sharks was the win came with their two young stars in Brandon Coletta and Jackson Volpato both missing from the line-up.
They have another test this week against a determined Tullamarine side.
The Demons came from behind in the third quarter to put in a dominant last quarter display against East Keilor.
Like the Sharks, in that they were not at full strength, the Demons were impressive late.
Anthony Prestia turned the game on its head when he was moved forward, kicking six goals in 25 minutes of play.
Like the matches these two teams played in last week, this is another one that will help shape the top four.
WEST COBURG v OAK PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Shore Reserve
West Coburg enters this match back on the winners list, producing one of their best performances of the season last week.
While facing Taylors Lakes, a side that is also in the bottom half of the table, it was still an important win in the context of West Coburg‘s season.
In a strong four-quarter performance, the Burgers were able to build throughout the game, kicking their highest total since Round 2.
Liam Bowkett, who has consistently been among the Burgers’ best, was named best-on-ground, kicking four goals.
Anastasis Dounias was also among the standouts.
A win here would put West Coburg three games clear of Oak Park closing in on the halfway point of the season, and you would think that would be enough to ensure safety from the relegation mix.
For Oak Park, they are still looking for that elusive first win of the season.
They started well on the weekend against Craigieburn, but weren’t able to stick with the ladder leaders the longer the game went.
Adam Meiorin kicked three goals to take his tally to 16 for the season, while Danny Rajab was named the Kangaroos’ best.
WESTMEADOWS v ROXBURGH PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Willowbrook Reserve
Westmeadows would expect to get back on the winners list this week against one of the division’s lower sides.
The Tigers are coming off their second loss of the season, but like their first defeat against Tullamarine back in Round 1, they were made to rue some poor periods of play.
Westmeadows stormed home against Hillside last week, but despite dominating for scoring shots in the final term, still fell three points short of victory.
Mitch Church kicked four goals against his old side, while Robbie Castello again showed his class in midfield.
Even though the Tigers did suffer a loss, they will take confidence in that they know they can match it with every other side in Division 1.
A win against the Magpies would be important in the race for the final four.
Roxburgh Park comes into the match refreshed after having the bye last week.
But it hasn’t been completely quiet down at the nest during the break, with the Magpies adding some signings.
Justin Cluney, Marc Douthwaite and Peter Candy have all come across from Jacana and will add some more depth to the Magpies’ developing and promising squad.
We’ll see how many changes they make when EDFL Teams comes out on Friday morning.
