CRAIGIEBURN v WESTMEADOWS
Saturday 2:15pm at DS Aitken Reserve
THIS looms as one of those battles that will shape the top four in the run to finals.
Both teams sit in the top four, but have Hillside chasing on their tails.
Craigieburn comes into the game after a loss to ladder leaders Tullamarine.
Not for the first time this season, the Eagles were slow out of the blocks and made to pay.
They trailed by 16 points at quarter time, but had conceded eight scoring shots to two, which was a massive amount in those conditions.
The Demons were able to slowly build the lead throughout.
Brock Chircop and John Bellino kicked two goals each for the Eagles, who will be without last year’s star goal kicker Dean Limbach for the rest of the season, having put in a clearance to go elsewhere.
Corey Viani, in his first senior game for the season, was the Eagles’ best and will be a key for them in the run home.
Unlike the Eagles, the Tigers’ first quarter was their best on Saturday.
It would prove to be the difference against West Coburg, as the rain came in and even halted play at one point.
Omar Saad kicked three goals for the Tigers, while Jackson Williams and Robbie Castello were named their best.
Dean Clare, who played up the ground on a wing, was also handy.
With both teams sitting equal on points, it’s a crucial match for both sides.
EAST KEILOR v HILLSIDE
Saturday 2:15pm at Overland Reserve
Another one of those games that will help shape the final four.
For both these sides, it’s a crucial game in their finals hopes, with the Sharks sitting a game outside the current four.
A win here and they will likely be percentage outside the top four.
For the Cougars, a win gives them a better hold on a top two spot.
The Cougars come into the match on the back of a win, but it was a lot harder than many expected.
After smashing Roxburgh Park earlier in the season, the Cougars only kicked away in the last quarter last week.
Dion Hill was the standout up forward, kicking half of his side’s goals to be best-on-ground.
Nick Grabowski kicked three goals and was another standout.
They face a Hillside team which fell just short last time these two met, with the Sharks having something to prove.
It’s been a big week at Shark Park with the announcement Steve Burns won’t coach on after this season.
On the field, Hillside got one back against Taylors Lakes which had beaten them earlier in the season.
Raafat Rachrache kicked four goals for the Sharks, while Victor Micallef showed why he is a past Hutchison Medallist.
OAK PARK v ROXBURGH PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at JP Fawkner Reserve
Can Oak Park break through for its first win of the season in this huge relegation battle?
The Kangaroos come into the game fresh, having had the bye last week.
With the season getting towards the pointy end, the Kangaroos’ fate and whether they stay in Division 1 is looking less unlikely.
With a tough run in the next few weeks, this is their best opportunity to open their account.
For the Magpies, a win here would all but take them out of the relegation debate.
They would be three games clear of the Kangaroos with six rounds remaining and possibly a game ahead of Taylors Lakes as well.
The Magpies showed an improved performance against East Keilor last week, in positive signs for the club.
Last time those two teams met, it was ugly.
This time, the Magpies were in the game until the final quarter.
Luke Capuano and Brandon McLarty kicked three goals apiece for the Magpies, with skipper Harley Short named their best.
With the improvement the Pies have had, another win is surely around the corner.
TAYLORS LAKES v TULLAMARINE
Saturday 2:15pm at Lionheart Reserve
This is the most straight forward of the matches on paper and it would be a massive upset if Taylors Lakes were able to get across the line this week.
The two teams have had very different seasons, with different aims and it has shown on the ladder.
The Lions have been competitive in most of their matches and shown some real positive signs.
On Saturday though, it was a tough match against arch rival Hillside.
The Lions were restricted to just three goals for the game and three scoring shots after half time in tough conditions.
It was all single goal kickers for the Lions, with Sonny Briz their best.
It will be a tougher ask against ladder leaders Tullamarine this week.
The Demons have now beaten every team in the competition, after accounting for Craigieburn last week.
The Demons got out to an early lead and were able to extend it throughout the day to get a solid win on EDFL Match of the Day.
Brad Allen continued his consistent form, kicking three goals, while Dean Bartrop and Adam Scott were named their best.
With the other teams in the current top five playing each other, the Demons could be looking even prettier sitting on top with a win here.
