PANTHERS HOLD STEADY, TAKE REVENGE ON LIONS
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Pascoe Vale has now opened up a two-game gap between themselves and fifth placed East Keilor after defeating Maribyrnong Park at Raeburn Reserve.
The Panthers were challenged early on as the Lions led at quarter time, before a monstrous seven goal to none second term opened up a 33-point lead for Pascoe Vale at the main change.
Marby would wrestle some momentum back in the third quarter, but the Panthers would be too clinical to hold steady for the 15.5.95-10.8.68 victory.
Brad Inglis yet again put on a clinic in front of the big sticks, booting six goals and was followed by Dan Guccione (three goals) as well as Ozgur Uysal and Matthew Watson who both added two goals each.
For the visitors, Nick Prowse added three goals to take his season tally to 25, and was followed by the likes of Oliver Sanders and Brandon Ryan who added two goals each of their own. Tom Baravi also earned best-on-ground honours in what was a tough outing for the Lions.
A massive weekend now looms for the Panthers, who will travel to Clifton Park to face Aberfeldie in round 16. Digby Morell’s men are the only side this season to knock off the Two Blues, having beaten Abers by a goal in their first fixture back in round seven.
Although Carb’s finals hopes are now officially done and dusted, they’ll be looking to bounce back and take some control when the host Greenvale at Monk Oval.
TWO BLUES FLATTEN COUGARS
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Aberfeldie have maintained their stronghold of top spot in Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division after dismantling East Keilor to the tune of 59 points at Overland Reserve.
Adam Marcon’s men dominated the contest and led at every change, and would eventually run away with the game with the final result being a commanding 13.17.95-5.6.36 victory.
It was the Cougar’s lowest score of the year so far, and they would only muster nine points to half time. They would salvage some respectability in the third quarter, but would inevitably still find themselves seven goals behind, before Abers stormed home with a four-goal-to-one final term.
Jayden Foster was impressive up forward for the visitors, posting three goals on the board, and was followed by Zach Hislop and Jack Middleton who added two goals each. For the Cougars, Josh Grabowski booted two goals, with Victor Micallef, Francesco Campisi and playing coach Tim Bongetti adding singles.
East Keilor now drop to 9-6, two games behind Pascoe Vale who sit fourth on the ladder. It’s a mammoth task for the Cougars who have a mountain to climb to get back into the top four, but crazier things have happened. They’ll be looking to bounce back when they face Avondale Heights at Canning Reserve. For the Two Blues, they’ll be aiming to take revenge when they host Pascoe Vale at Clifton Park.
TIGERS MAINTAIN FOURTH SPOT, SKIP AWAY FROM RUPO
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Westmeadows has put daylight between themselves and Rupertswood, defeating the Sharks in a game with massive finals ramifications.
The Tigers are now a game and percentage clear of the boys from Salesian College, who although competitive, weren’t able to lead at any change. Inaccuracy also cost the visitors, who managed one more scoring shot than Westy, but inevitably went down 13.6.84-7.13.55 at Willowbrook Reserve.
Omar Saad was again his usual dominant self, booting five goals and was followed by Ryan Stingel who kicked two. For Rupo, Brock Landt was impressive up forward and enjoyed three goals, whilst Zak Saad also added two goals of his own.
Both sides have winnable, but interesting games in Round 16, with Westmeadows travelling to D.S Aitken Reserve to face Craigieburn, whilst Rupertswood will host Moonee Valley on their formidable home deck of Salesian College.
Either club will also be looking to keep the pressure on third placed West Coburg, who face a seemingly in form Hillside team who still aren’t totally out of finals contention just yet.
SHARKS HOLD ON AGAINST VALIANT FOG
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Hillside have come from behind to snatch victory away from Moonee Valley yet again, defeating the fog by three points in another Ormond Park thriller.
It’s a sight that’s unfortunately been all too familiar for the Fog this season, who have now lost three games by a goal or less on their home deck, with a litter of others having been also fairly close.
Moonee Valley stormed out to a five goal lead at quarter time, leaving Hillside goalless whilst seeming to dominate around the contests. The Sharks would bite back with a five-goal-to-two second quarter, which inevitably cut the margin to just seven points at half time.
The Fog gave another push in the third quarter to take a 21-point lead into the final change, before Hillside restricted the hosts to just one behind in the final term as they stole the win, 10.16.76-11.7.73.
In the match dubbed the “Josh Covelli Cup”, the man in question didn’t disappoint, as he kicked three majors for the afternoon. Chase Wallace was also impressive as he added a couple of goals of his own, whilst Lachlan Pettigrove took out Best On Ground honours for the Sharks.
Costa Detsikas was impressive for the home side as he booted three goals and was followed by John O’Brien and Jack Newman who added two goals each as well.
Although two games behind a finals berth, the Sharks are still just holding on to a slight chance that they could potentially be vying for the flag in September.
The big test though comes this week, when they host West Coburg in a massive do or die clash at Shark Park. For Moonee Valley, they’ll be looking to bounce back when they travel back to Sunbury to face Rupertswood at Salesian College.
ABSOLUTE PANDEMONIUM UNFOLDS AT LIONHEART RESERVE
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Boundary line, 45 out, after the siren, we’ve heard all it before right?
Well it happened in the AFL just last week, and it happened again in Strathmore Community Bank Division Two, when Hadfield’s Noah Bazzano sent the ball flying off his boot to win the game after the bell against Taylors Lakes at Lionheart Reserve.
And with that kick alone, the Hawks are still alive in season 2022, just.
Almost like the game above between Hillside and Moonee Valley, this encounter was fairly similar with the Lakers hopping out to a 38-point lead at quarter time, keeping Hadfield scoreless in the process.
The Hawks would then go on to keep the Lions goalless themselves in the second term, pegging the margin back to just six points at the main break.
It would be Taylors Lakes who would again pull away in the third, taking a 17-point lead into the final term, but Hadfield were far from done, and were able to push themselves across the line to take the 9.13.67-10.5.65 victory.
The man of the moment Noah Bazzano booted three goals for the visitors and was followed by Heath Mckerchar and Mark Sabatino who added two goals each. For the Lakers, Tomi Ibarra was the only multiple goal kicker (two goals) and was followed by a number of single goal scorers.
Spare some thought for Taylors Lakes. It’s another heartbreaking result for the Lions, who, just like the Fog, have managed to come close to victory on a number of occasions, but have fallen short of victory. This fixture alone in Round 7 was one of them, when the Hawks held on in emphatic fashion to win by four points.
The Hawks now set up a monster clash with Burnside Heights next week at Brookside Recreation Reserve on the NXP Match of the Day, another do-or-die game for Hadfield. Taylors Lakes will travel to Cole Reserve to face the in-from Coburg Districts.
The final question is, will Celine Dion make another appearance on the socials this week? Our guess is: Absolutely.
BLUES FLEX THEIR MUSCLE IN TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH
Keilor skipped away to an important win ahead of finals, defeating Oak Park at J.P Fawkner Reserve in another interesting top-of-the-table clash.
The Blues only needed one quarter to hold strong against the valiant Roos, booting four goals to none in the second quarter to set up the win.
Liv Manfre was again her dominant self, booting three of Keilor’s five goals as the Blues ran out 21-point victors, 5.7.37-2.4.16.
Burcu Johnson and Amy Hrvatin also added one goal each for Keilor, whilst it was Jessica Welsh and Emily Findlay who added majors for Oak Park.
Both sides will again face each other next week in round one of finals, with this clash to be played on neutral ground at Windy Hill. Oak Park will be looking to bounce back and cause an upset in this one, whilst the Blues will be looking to hop straight into the grand final after another near perfect season.
The other finals clash will be played out between Westmeadows and Aberfeldie, also at Windy Hill. The Two Blues cemented their spot in the top four with a win over Maribyrnong Park at Monk Oval.
MORES HOLD STEADY AT GARDINER RESERVE
Strathmore shrugged off a slow start to defeat Gisborne by five goals in an important top four clash before finals.
The Bulldogs held the slightest of margins at the quarter time break, but would go scoreless for the rest of the game as the Mores piled the pressure on away from home.
It was a low scoring affair, but the girls from Lebanon Reserve did exactly what they needed to do, taking out the 5.8.38-1.1.7 victory.
Pontif Janjamruen was again dominant, booting three goals, whilst Ashlee Thorneycroft and Yasmin Welsford added singles. Brooke Grace was the only goal kicker for Gisborne on what was a tough afternoon for the home side.
Elsewhere, Greenvale secured the minor premiership after winning by forfeit to the Sunbury Lions.
Week One of finals is shaping up to be massive in this division, with Essendon Doutta Stars locking horns with Gisborne, followed by Greenvale and Strathmore. Both games will be played at Etzel Street Reserve.
DEES SECURE MINOR PREMIERSHIP
If it wasn’t confirmed a few weeks ago, Tullamarine have secured top spot in Airport Toyota Women’s Division Two, making light work of Sunbury Kangaroos 2 at Leo Dineen Reserve.
The Demons wasted no time jumping out of the blocks, and took control immediately as they stormed away for the commanding 79-point win, 11.14.80-0.1.1.
Laura Damore, Tenielle Potter and Laura Devlyn-Bennett all kicked two goals each with five other Tulla players adding singles on the board.
As well as securing the minor premiership, the Dees also solidified themselves as the only undefeated senior side in the EDFL for season 2022, finishing the regular season at 11-0.
Tulla will be looking to advance straight through to the Grand Final when they face Airport West in week one of finals at Highgate Reserve.
