HEIGHTS UPSET LIONS TO SNATCH THEIR FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON
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Well it took all of 11 rounds, but Avondale Heights were finally able to break through with a victory, upsetting Maribyrnong Park by seven points at Canning Reserve and shaking up the relegation battle immensely in Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division.
The Heights were almost given no chance of winning this game, but fired out from the blocks early to boot five majors to the Lions’ three in the first term.
The boys from Monk Oval were able to kick into gear in the second quarter, as they hit back with four goals to one to take a seven point lead into the main break.
A tight tussle was on show in the third, with the Heights salvaging back a slight lead (three points) at the final change, before a three goal to two final term saw Avondale Heights hold on for the 13.6.84-11.11.77 win.
Daniel Pantalleresco and Jackson Robb were instrumental on the scoreboard for the Heights, booting three goals each, whilst Ruairi Cleary and Matt Darby added four goals between them.
For the visiting Lions, Thomas Wyatt was impressive as he added a nice tally of four goals, and was followed by Darcy Griffin and Brandon Ryan who added two goals each of their own.
The win for Avondale Heights lifts them off the bottom of the ladder for the first time this season, leaping ahead of a struggling Glenroy outfit by percentage.
Maribyrnong Park’s attempts of vying for a finals spot have now taken a major setback, with the Lions now sitting three games behind fourth spot, and two games behind Strathmore who sit in fifth.
It won’t get any easier for Marby next week either, as they host Keilor at Monk Oval, and who will be looking for redemption after a tough couple of weeks. For the Heights, they travel to Clifton Park to face the ladder leaders Aberfeldie.
PANTHERS SEEK REDEMPTION WITH THUMPING WIN OVER COUGARS
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Pascoe Vale have now proven that they truly mean business this year in Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division, exacting revenge on East Keilor in dominant fashion at Overland Reserve.
On a ground in which the Cougars have prided themselves on creating a “fortress like” atmosphere, the Panthers went in with no fear and finished strong to take out the 15.13.103-6.9.45 victory on the road.
Tim Bongetti’s men started well out of the blocks in this encounter between the two sides, taking an important two goal lead into the first quarter break. The Cougars were then kept goalless in the second quarter as Pascoe Vale amped the pressure up, taking a nine point lead into the half time break in the process.
A three goal to two third quarter saw the Panthers take a 12 point lead into the main break, before a blistering final quarter saw Digby Morell’s men pile on eight goals to one, whilst also keeping East Keilor to their lowest score of the season so far.
Ozgur Uysal and Jack Raines provided options up forward booting three goals each, whilst Nick Parthenopoulos, Ben Allan, Liam Forbes and Michael Ross all added two goals.
Francesco Campisi, Charles Van Der Byl and Dion Hill all kicked two goals each on what was otherwise a tough day for the Cougars.
This win for the Panthers propels them into third spot on the ladder, swapping places with the Cougars who currently sit fourth, one game ahead of Strathmore.
Both sides will be on the road next week, with East Keilor heading to Section Road to face Greenvale, whilst Pascoe Vale will travel to Nipper Jordan Oval to lock horns with Essendon Doutta Stars.
MORES SEND WARNING MESSAGE WITH A POWERFUL VICTORY OVER BLUES
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It’s official. Strathmore are back, and they are coming.
The boys in navy blue and gold have sent a clear message to the rest of the top four with a mammoth 50-point victory over Keilor at Joe Brown Oval.
Matt Horne’s men also sought redemption from Good Friday in which they were beaten off the park for most of the encounter, but made sure that the tables were turned in this one away from home.
The first half was seemingly close, with Strathmore taking 14 and 15 point leads into each change respectively.
That’s when it all changed. Strathmore dominated the third quarter and did it in style, booting five goals to one to pull away and lead by 44 points at three quarter time, before adding another four goals to three in the final term to run away with the 16.14.110-9.6.60 victory.
Floyd Bollinghaus was especially impressive up forward tallying four goals, whilst Ben Holian added three. Depth was key for the visitors, who managed 11 goal kickers for the game.
Matt Clarke did all he could for the home side, adding five goals on the board for Keilor, with Christos Kosmas adding two. It was slim pickings from there for the Blues who now sit six premiership points behind ladder leaders Aberfeldie after this defeat.
Strathmore will be looking to keep the pressure on the top four as they host a struggling Glenroy side next week at Lebanon Reserve, whilst Keilor will venture to Monk Oval to face Maribyrnong Park.
FOG SUFFER HEARTBREAK AT ORMOND PARK
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Tullamarine have survived a major scare at Ormond Park, holding off a gritty and determined Moonee Valley side by one-point away from home.
In a clash with multiple momentum swings, it was the Demons who took control early and seemed to be on their way to another routine victory. After a 21-point deficit at the first break, the Fog kicked into gear, stunning the visitors with six goals to one in the second quarter to take a nine point lead into halftime.
Tulla again hit back keeping Moonee Valley goalless in the third quarter, before a frantic final quarter (and final few minutes) saw the Demons hold on for the 8.16.64-9.9.63 win.
Ricky Halabi, John O’Brien and Bevan Newell all added two goals each for the Fog, whilst Shaun McKernan and Brad Allen also added a couple each for the visitors.
It’s another tough loss for Moonee Valley, who have been in plenty of games this season in Rookie Me Division One, before just falling short of the mark.
Both sides will enjoy home games next weekend, with Tullamarine hosting Hillside at Leo Dineen Reserve, whilst the Fog host West Coburg at Ormond Park.
MAGPIES PRODUCE STELLAR COMEBACK AGAINST SHARKS
The battle for the top four has just taken another wild turn in Rookie Me Division One.
Roxburgh Park has bounced back after a couple of unconvincing results to stun Rupertswood at Lakeside Drive defeating the Sharks by nine points in another topsy-turvy clash.
It was the boys from Salesian College who threatened to blow the game out early, booting a mammoth seven goals to two to take a 33-point lead into the quarter time break.
In true Roxy fashion though, the Magpies chipped away quarter by quarter, cutting the deficit to 14 at half time and eight at three quarter time. The final 30 minutes saw the hosts boot five goals to three to snatch a 15.10.100-13.13.91 victory on their home deck.
Matthew Patane dominated up forward, booting five goals for the Pies, with Raafat Rachrache adding three in a solid season up forward. For the Sharks, Jacob Chahine and Ben Said combined for six goals between them, whilst Mitchell Johnston added two.
The win by Roxy shakes up the top four race, with the boys from Lakeside Reserve now adding a game’s difference between themselves and the chasing pack of Rupertswood and Westmeadows, who also had a tough seven-point loss to West Coburg at the Shoretress.
Both sides will be travelling in Round 12, but won’t be going far. Roxburgh Park will contest the battle of the 3064 postcode against Craigieburn at D.S Aitken Reserve, a game which saw the Pies hold on for a two-point win earlier in the season. Rupertswood will travel across Sunbury to face the Kangaroos at Eric Boardman Reserve in the Sunbury derby on the Nena and Pasadena Match of the Day.
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ROOS HOLD ON AGAINST DETERMINED HAWKS
Oak Park maintained their stronghold on top spot in Strathmore Community Bank Division Two, but it was far from easy at JP Fawkner Reserve. The Kangaroos held off a plucky Hadfield side by six points on this week’s Nena and Pasadena Match of the Day.
It was a tight game from the outset. Both sides traded blows in the first quarter with Oak Park taking a one-point lead into quarter time.
Hadfield then presented the Roos with signature Hawks footy in the second quarter, controlling the tempo and pace of the game whilst also taking a three goal lead into half time. More impressively, they managed to keep the hosts goalless in the quarter, with Oak Park managing only one behind.
The third term was almost the complete opposite. Some strong words by Todd Clark at the half time break sprung Oak Park into action, kicking four goals whilst holding Hadfield scoreless to take a nine-point lead into the final change.
The Kangaroos bolted out to a three goal lead in the final term, and everything seemed good and well for the home side. However, Hadfield were far from finished, and were able to add two quick goals to make things interesting. Unfortunately for the visitors, the siren sounded at the wrong time, as Hadfield thumped the ball inside 50 to try and level the scores. Oak Park breathed a sigh of relief and walked away with the 9.9.63-9.3.57 victory.
Blair Cronin was impressive for Oak Park, booting three goals, whilst Danny Rajab added a couple of his own, as well as somehow being everywhere on the park. Ryan Smith took out the NXP Player of the game honours for a stellar performance.
For Hadfield, Mark Sabatino was again brilliant in front of the big sticks booting four goals, followed by Andrew Budge and Steve Golding who added two goals each.
Round 11 in Strathmore Community Bank Division Two sees Oak Park travel to Lionheart Reserve to face Taylors Lakes, whilst Hadfield tee up a monster clash with an in-form Coburg Districts outfit at Martin Reserve.
ABERS STORM INTO TOP FOUR WITH STUNNING WIN OVER TIGERS
Aberfeldie have produced a stunning victory over Westmeadows, downing the Tigers by 16 points at Aberfeldie Park West.
The win also ensures that the two blues move into the top four for the first time this season, leapfrogging Maribyrnong Park.
It was a tight first quarter, but Abers were able to head into the first break up by a goal. The second quarter almost set up the win for the Abers girls, who added another couple of goals whilst keeping the Tigers scoreless.
Aberfeldie held on in the end for the 4.7.31-.2.3.15 victory, a massive win in the context of the season.
Olivia Madden, Amelia Liberato, Erica Markesich and Michelle Reid all added majors for the home side, whilst Courteney Munn (2 goals) was the only goal kicker for the Tigers.
Aberfeldie will look to continue their good run of form, but have a tough task ahead as they face Keilor at Joe Brown Oval on July 2nd. In the split round, Westmeadows will look to bounce back on July 9 when they host the bottom of the ladder Bears.
JETS HOLD ON BY THE SLIGHTEST OF MARGINS IN TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH
Greenvale have moved to sole ladder leaders in Airport Toyota Women’s Division One, defeating Strathmore by one-point at Lebanon Reserve in a heart stopping battle for top spot.
Greenvale controlled the first couple of minutes of the game but weren’t able to inflict any pain on the scoreboard. Strathmore started to gain some ascendancy, with last year’s Division Best and Fairest Clara Toperosa seeming to be everywhere around the ground.
The Jets were kept goalless for three quarters and found themselves down by 20 points at three quarter time. But in true Greenvale fashion, the premiership favourites found a way to come back, keeping Strathmore scoreless in the final term before pinching the 3.7.25-3.6.24 win.
Emily Brodie, Robyn Randell and Pontif Janjamruen all hit the scoreboard for the Mores, whilst Alex Quigley (two goals) and Alisa Magri (one goal) helped the Jets scrape home.
A split round in Round 11 sees Strathmore have the bye, whilst Greenvale will travel back home to Section Road to face Moonee Valley 2 on the 9th of July.
DEES REMAIN ON TOP WITH COMMANDING WIN OVER DISTRICTS
Tullamarine have maintained their stronghold on top spot in Airport Toyota Women’s Division Two with a brilliant 29-point victory over Coburg Districts at Leo Dineen Reserve.
The Dees started strong and didn’t look back, taking a 22 point lead into quarter time. The Districts fought back well but only managed one goal from four scoring shots in the second quarter, before Tulla added three goals to none in the third term to kick away again.
The final term was a low scoring affair, but it wasn’t an issue for the Tulla girls who took out the 6.10.46-2.5.17 win.
The Dees managed six individual goal kickers for the morning, with Tricia Devine, Courtney Annett, Rhiannon Hanley, Rachael White, Jade Reaburn and Laura Damore all hitting the scoreboard. Emily Gray and Grace Ingram added goals for the Districts, but it wasn’t enough to power through.
Round 11 in Airport Toyota Women’s Division Two also sees a split round, with Coburg Districts enjoying the bye. Tullamarine will travel to Etzel St Reserve to face Airport West in a massive top of the table clash on July 9.
