OAK PARK v TAYLORS LAKES
Saturday 2:15pm at JP Fawkner Reserve
IS this the week that Oak Park breaks through for its first win?
After a tough first part to the season, the Kangaroos need to turn it around to some to degree to ensure they avoid relegation.
Oak Park has scored the least amount of points and conceded the most, meaning there is some work to do.
Their most recent result was one of their worst, a 102-point loss to West Coburg.
The Kangaroos were held goalless in two of the four quarters, meaning it was tough day all round.
Adam Meiorin kicked two goals for the Kangaroos.
If a win is important for the Kangaroos, then it’s just as important for Taylors Lakes.
Like the Kangaroos, the Lions are well and truly in the relegation battle.
A win here would put the Lions two games clear of the Kangaroos and would give the side some confidence as well.
The Lions enter the match well refreshed, having had the last two weekends off, with the bye and then the Queen’s Birthday weekend falling on consecutive weeks.
CRAIGIEBURN v HILLSIDE
Saturday 2:15pm at DS Aitken Reserve
This is another one of those games that will help shape the top four, with both sides in the mix.
A win for the Eagles could leave Hillside two games outside the four with just half a season to go.
Both teams enter the match on the back of losses to other sides in the top four.
The Eagles suffered their second loss, and their biggest, to East Keilor in Round 8.
A poor second quarter hurt the Eagles and they found themselves down by 54 points at the main break, but they were able to add some respectability to the score line in the final quarter.
Only problem was, the game was already decided.
Big man Billy Morrison was again the standout for the Eagles, kicking four goals.
For the Sharks, this is the third tough game in a row for them.
As has been the case all season, the Sharks have been in the mix late in every game.
Last up, they fell short against Tullamarine.
The Sharks were left to rue a poor first half in which they were held goalless.
While they were able to kick 11 goals to five in the second half, the damage had already been done.
Jake Vicic, in his first senior game of the year, kicked four goals and was named the Sharks' best.
EAST KEILOR v WEST COBURG
Saturday 2:15pm at Overland Reserve
It took them three weeks, but East Keilor finally claimed the scalp of a fellow top four side.
In a tough period where they dropped back-to-back games against Westmeadows and Tullamarine, the Cougars have found out where they sit among the other contenders.
Against Craigieburn, they showed that when they turned it on, they can beat any team in the competition.
The Cougars led by a massive 54 points at half time against the Eagles and it could have been much bigger, having had 21 scoring shots to three.
While the Eagles fought back in the second half, the game was already over.
Dion Hill and Cooper Perry kicked three goals each for the Cougars, while Ash Arrowsmith was the standout in a best-on-ground performance.
West Coburg will come into the match full of confidence as well, having won their last two matches.
The most recent win was against Oak Park and it was their biggest win of the season, winning by 102 points.
It was a strong four-quarter performance from the Burgers, winning three of the four quarters.
Liam Bowkett was again in good form up forward kicking eight goals, but it somehow wasn’t enough to earn him a spot in the best players.
Jordan Gloury was instead named the Burgers' best.
ROXBURGH PARK v TULLAMARINE
Saturday 2:15pm at Lakeside Oval
Can Roxburgh Park pull off an upset win?
That’s the question heading into this game between a side making sure it stays out of the relegation zone and a team looking for a top two spot.
The Magpies continue to show that they will be competitive for periods of time, no matter whom they play.
Last up that was Westmeadows and while the final margin was 50 points, that deficit was accrued in two quarters.
Harley Short kicked two goals for the Magpies with Ryan Micallef named their best.
Tullamarine comes into the match on the back of a solid performance against Hillside.
The Demons fired in the first half, before they took the foot off the pedal and the Sharks made it a match.
Tullamarine, though, had done enough.
Blair Cronin kicked four goals in the win, while Tim Barresi was named their best.
