IT’S A DRAW, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?
Sportscast Replay - CLICK HERE
Greenvale Recreational Reserve almost provided the backdrop for an upset of the season, as Greenvale and Keilor played out a thrilling draw in front of the raucous home support.
Entering the round as ladder leaders, Keilor had hoped to repeat its Round 1 efforts with a straightforward win, however Greenvale had other ideas.
In conditions reminiscent of an early 80’s MCG, the players toiled through both a chopped-up outfield and mud swamped centre wicket area.
If Keilor were expecting an easy walkover win, they were quickly hit with the realisation that Greenvale had come to play and bagging the four points would be no easy task.
Trading goals for much of the match, Greenvale ace, Natale Caruso chipped in with three majors for the home side, highlighted by a superb soccer off the ground effort from 20 meters out.
Looking back over the match, the third quarter left Keilor kicking themselves at missed opportunities that could have put the result beyond doubt.
While the margin only reduced by a solitary point, Keilor failed to convert on their chances kicking 2.6 for the quarter compared to 3.1 from Greenvale, the inaccuracy keeping the jets in the game.
As the screws tightened into the final quarter, Keilor found themselves holding a slender one-point lead with a minute to go.
A huge pack mark from Fort Caruso left the home fans thinking they might steal the game from the jaws of defeat, it was however not to be as he promptly ran around the man on the mark sending the ball out on the full.
As the ball pinged back down the line a huge pack mark by Bradley Xavier counted for nothing as Michael Caven was picked out for a push in the back free kick.
Promptly sending the ball back deep inside 50, a collective feeling of jubilation fell across the crowd, as Samuel Zumbo was awarded a free kick almost directly in front to be taken after the siren.
It however wasn’t to be for Zumbo and his Greenvale teammates as the shot sailed wide of the right goal post squaring the ledger.
Both sides rueing what could have been, Keilor’s inaccuracy in front of goal potentially costing them the extra two points and top spot on the ladder.
As the return fixtures continue, Greenvale travel to Sewell reserve to tackle Glenroy, as Keilor face the visiting Strathmore at Joe Brown Oval.
EAST KEILOR CONTINUE TO BANK WINS
Sportscast Replay - CLICK HERE
Continuing to shock the Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division, East Keilor have knocked off Essendon Doutta Stars for the second time this season shoring up their position as a finals threat.
Cruising to the 6-goal victory, the Cougars were rarely challenged as they notched their eight win of the 2022 campaign.
A 10-goal third quarter for the Cougars put the result beyond doubt, allowing the side to cruise through the final term knowing they had done enough for victory.
A game high 6 goals from Nicholas Grabowski, has increased his total for the season to 30 goals, over half of which (16 goals) have come in the past three weeks.
Sitting only one goal behind season leader Matthew Watson, Grabowski is primed for a tilt at the leader goalkicker award come seasons end.
For the Stars, multiple goals came off the boots of both Michael Graham (four goals) and Karl Brown (three goals) with standout performances also from Sean McLaren.
Round 11 sees a top four challenge confront East Keilor as they face fourth placed Pascoe Vale, in truly what could prove to be an 8-point game for the pair.
The Stars face arguably the toughest test in the EDFL, with a trip to Clifton Park against ladder leaders Aberfeldie.
SHARKS BY THE BAREST OF MARGINS
Sportscast Replay - CLICK HERE
In another nailbiter result, Hillside have upset Roxburugh Park by one point at Hillside Reserve.
After a goalless Round 10, forward ace Josh Covelli continued on his merry ways in 2022, booting another six goals for the home side, his big body and presence continuing to be a handful for opposition defenders.
The two sides traded barbs as the match progressed, with scores even for much of the match.
Deep into the final term as scores remained tied, Bailey Ryan believed he had done enough to see the home side regain the lead as he sharked a ball deep inside 50 running in on the open goal.
It wasn’t to be however, as the officiating umpire ruled an infringement to Roxy.
The pressure being applied from Hillside continued to suffocate the Magpies, as the ball quickly returned inside 50, in prime scoring position.
It was once again Josh Covelli who proved to be the difference, roving his own ruckwork and kicking what proved to be the decisive point for the game.
The result sees Roxburugh Park fall to sixth on the ladder, still with a buffer of two games to the seventh placed Hillside, but the result doing no favours for their chances of a finals tilt.
LADDER LEADERS UPSET AT THE TANK
Sportscast Replay - CLICK HERE
Entering the round unassailable ladder leaders, Airport West faced a trip up the highway to Salesian College against a plucky Rupertswood side who after joining the competition last year are beginning to find their footing in Rookie Me Division One.
The Rookie Me Division One ladder continues to be tight, as Rupertswood entered the round in sixth place, only one win and percentage behind third placed West Coburg.
The game plan for the home side was clear, jumping out the blocks and overwhelming the Eagles, a high scoring first term saw 13 goals kicked and tRupo holding a 17-point lead at the first break.
Airport West just couldn’t get a run on, remaining the distant three goals behind for most of the match, with the final margin stretching out to 35 points, a big statement setter by the Sharks.
Forward craft was on show from both sides during the game, as both Zak Saad and Ned Gentile kicked 7 each and Cameron Mcrorie kicking five himself.
Fresh off defeating the ladder leaders, Rupertswood face another vital clash in their run for finals, as they come up against Roxburgh Park fresh off a one-point loss to Hillside.
Airport West remain in top spot on the ladder due to its impressive percentage, they will face a visiting Craigieburn in their Round 11 match.
DEVILS HOLD ON
Sportscast Replay - CLICK HERE
It was a Saturday footy feast for fans across the EDFL senior men’s competitions, as another result went down to the wire, with Keilor Park holding on at home against a surging Coburg Districts side.
In another almost upset result, the second placed Devils managed to hold on against the Districts who had been on a three-game winning streak before the weekends match.
A surging final term display from the Districts saw them pile on four goals to two, almost enough to gain the lead as the final siren blew.
It was however Keilor Park who held on for victory, controlling the play for the final minutes of the match, ensuring there would be no late heartbreak for the Devils.
Dimitrios Guicas chipped in with four goals for the home side, as multiples were kicked by Cooper Keogh and Spencer Aitken for the visitors.
The win sees Keilor Park hold their spot in the top 2 trailing only Oak Park by percentage, as Coburg Districts now fall two games behind Hadfield in fourth place.
ABERFELDIE REMAIN IN THE HUNT
Bagging the four points to remain in the finals hunt, Aberfeldie have defeated Moonee Valley in an away win that sees them keep touch with the top four as we head deeper into the season.
Cementing the Valley with their third straight loss, Aberfeldie saw off the first half challenge presented at their feet to kick clear and win on the day by 12 points.
Elisha Wain and Olivia Madden kicked multiple goals for the visitors, as Wain also put in a best on ground effort along side her goals.
For the home side, goals off the boot of Georgia Marsland, Hannah Greasley and Bronwyn Peddley with a best team performance by Jayda Young.
Round 10 sees Aberfeldie up against finals fancy Westmeadows, as Moonee Valley face a Burnside Heights side looking to notch up their second win of the season.
Sunbury Derby goes to the Kangaroos
In a low scoring affair, the Sunbury Kangaroos have prevailed against their cross-town rivals, the Sunbury Lions by 11 points.
Inaccuracy proved to be the killer for the Lions, as they only managed 1.5.11 for the match, as the Kangaroos kicked 3.4.22 themselves.
For the Kangaroos, Olivia Dewar was best on, and complemented by goals from Kelsie Gill, Lisa Kirby and Carly Blythe.
Amy Starzer kicked the only major for the Lions, as Emily Taylor was best on for the visitors.
The win sees the Kangaroos stay in touch as a part of the chasing pack vying for a finals berth, as the Lions fall two games behind the Kangaroos.
TIGERS GET THE JOB DONE
Westmeadows 2 have cemented itself as a top three contender in Airport Toyota Women's Division Two as they defeated Coburg Districts by 15 points at Cole Reserve.
Inaccuracy plagued both sides, as a collective 6.19 was kicked for the match, for the Districts, their 2.8 leaving them wondering what could have been if they had of converted some of their chances.
A rallying effort in the final term from the Districts, restricting Westmeadows to only a paltry behind was not enough to close the margin as the Tigers ran out 15-point victors.
Retaining third on the ladder due to a superior percentage, Coburg Districts will be looking to bounce back onto the winners list when they face ladder leaders Tullamarine in Round 10.
Westmeadows will come up against second placed Airport West away from home, as they look to cement their third win from as many games.
