OAK PARK 13.17-95 def. AIRPORT WEST 9.15-69
A DISAPPOINTING loss to Airport West in what has been a poor last few weeks.
However, the Eagles are luckily still in the finals race, as East Keilor caused an upset elsewhere.
The last five weeks for Airport West haven’t been memorable, taking home the points in only one of the games amongst the group.
They have only really got themselves to blame if they don’t make finals.
Not to take anything away from Oak Park, though, who have impressed in the back end of the 2017 season to go equal on points with the Eagles.
The injection of Dean Clare into the side proved to pay out as he kicked two majors, while Michael Hooper and Luke Ryan playing very well and featuring in the best for Oak Park.
The Eagles now have three tough games to end the season against Glenroy, Westmeadows and Hillside, making it difficult for them to secure their chance come finals.
However, there could still be many more upsets to come.
EAST KEILOR 12.14-86 def. TAYLORS LAKES 6.8-44
The upset that could cause havoc among the top four.
After the performance of Taylors Lakes over the last few weeks, East Keilor was the underdog going into Round 14.
However, the Cougars beat the Lions comfortably.
A win for Airport West would have pretty much cemented the top four, breaching the gap between fourth and fifth by two games.
With Airport West dropping another game, they have made it easier for Taylors Lakes, who just had to win.
Although the run home for Taylors Lakes isn’t as tough as it is for Airport West, doesn’t mean they are a certainty just yet.
Especially after this weekend’s game.
Paris Grampsas helped get his team home with three goals and featured among the Cougars’ best, while Con Grampsas grabbed best-on to push East Keilor over the line.
WESTMEADOWS 7.14-56 def. by HILLSIDE 16.17-113
With five changes to the Westmeadows side, they knew they had to do something to change up their recent luck.
The Tigers’ last couple of weeks haven’t been too flash, losing the last four games, so changing the team wasn’t their worst idea in hope to spark something.
However, an experienced Hillside ensured they didn’t drop a game like this, getting over the line comfortably in the end.
Still sitting equal with Tullamarine, the race to make the top two isn’t over, coming down to the last three games of the season.
Jordan Hollow was sharp in front of goal kicking three for Westmeadows, while Hillside’s Brandon Coletta, for the third week in a row, earned himself best-on with five goals to his name.
Coletta will be vital for Hillside going into finals.
Hillside have a decent run home, and every opportunity to grab the double chance.
HADFIELD 4.5-29 def. by TULLAMARINE 23.18-156
With three games left to play out in the Essendon Ford Division 1 home-and-away season, Hadfield may not be able to find the win they had hoped for.
Coming up against a dominant Tullamarine side on the weekend, it was always going to be tough to take home the points for the Hawks.
The two clashed at Martin Reserve on Saturday, only to see Hadfield up by two points at the first break.
However, they couldn’t run with the experienced outfit that is Tullamarine.
Link Robinson impressed, kicking five goals and featuring in the bests for the Demons, while Jacob McKerchar produced a best-on performance for Hadfield and showed good signs.
The big win may give Tullamarine the finishing touches they need as they come in hot for a strong 2017 finals campaign.
