BLUES POWER THROUGH AT RAEBURN
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Keilor have managed to hold off Pascoe Vale at Raeburn Reserve, taking care of the Panthers by three goals.
It was a commanding start by Mick McGuane’s men, who kicked six goals to one in the first term and inevitably put the pressure on early.
In true Pascoe Vale fashion though, the Panthers were able to bounce back in a massive way to peg the lead back to seven points at the main break.
The second half was fairly stock standard from both sides, but it was Keilor who were able to hold off the plucky Panthers 13.12.90-10.12.72.
Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division’s equal leading goalscorer Matt Clarke added four more goals to his tally for the year, followed by Christos Kosmas (three goals) and Billy Johnson (two goals).
For the home side it was Brad Inglis and Matthew Watson who led from the front and booted two goals each. The Panthers then managed six other single goal kickers.
The win firmly solidifies the Blues on top of the ladder for another week, with Aberfeldie to play Strathmore in a blockbuster Queen’s Birthday clash next Sunday.
Keilor will be looking to continue their strong run of form when they venture out to Section Road to face Greenvale., whilst Pascoe Vale will enjoy another home game in Round 10, as they face the struggling Roys at Raeburn Reserve.
JETS DOMINATE AT SECTION ROAD
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Greenvale has triumphed on the Nena and Pasadena Match of the Day, defeating Avondale Heights by 17 points at Greenvale Recreation Reserve.
The Jets could have potentially won this game by triple figures, and blew out the winless Heights early in the first quarter. They would pile on eight goals to two to take a 39-point lead into quarter time.
They led by the exact same margin at the half, with Avondale Heights squaring the ledger in the second quarter. The second half though was an inspiring one for the Heights who managed to claw their way back into the game and make the margin fairly respectable, so respectable that they kept Greenvale scoreless in the final term whilst adding three goals of their own.
At that point the damage had already been done, and seemingly by one man, Jacob Thompson. The Jets’ main target up forward booted a massive seven goals, and was followed by Dylan Ozenc who added two goals.
For the visitors, they will rue an extremely slow start, but this encounter has brought out plenty of positives. Jackson Robb led the way with three goals and was followed by Matt Darby (two goals).
Things don’t get any easier for both sides in their upcoming fixtures though, with Greenvale hosting the top-of-the-table Blues, whilst the Heights travel to Lebanon Reserve to face an in-form Strathmore side knocking on the door to the top four.
DEMONS HOLD OFF INACCURATE TIGERS
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Tullamarine has managed to avoid a scare at Leo Dineen Reserve, holding off a fast finishing Westmeadows outfit by six points.
The Dees took control early, booting three goals to none in the first term, before inaccuracy cost the visitors dearly in the second. Westy would claw back slightly to trail by 15 at half time, but three goals from eleven scoring shots set them back in an attempt to hit the front.
The third quarter was even and much more high scoring, as both sides managed a combined 11 goals for the term. The Tigers would win the final quarter, but left their comeback too late, as Tulla came away with the 14.10.94-12.16.88 victory.
As the Tigers drew level at 88 points apiece, a Shaun McKernan snap would put the home side back in front at the 29-minute mark of the final term.
A mark to Jayden Ranno on the paint of 50 gave Westy an opportunity to level the game after the siren, however the distance and accuracy proved too much as the set shot went wayward for no score.
Matt O’Dwyer starred for the home side, booting five goals, and was followed by James Vistarini and McKernan who added two goals each. For the visitors, it was the ever reliable Omar Saad who led from the front with three goals, whilst George Nabbout and Cody Wight also added two each.
Westmeadows will have a chance to bounce back next week when they host Moonee Valley at Willowbrook Reserve, whilst for the Demons it’s a trip out to Eric Boardman Reserve to face the Sunbury Kangaroos.
EAGLES UP NORTH HOLD STEADY AT HOME
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Craigieburn has jumped a game ahead of Moonee Valley after defeating the Fog by 43 points at DS Aitken Reserve.
The Eagles were able to muster their second win of the season, but it didn’t come easy at first. Moonee Valley held strong and remained within striking distance at the half. However a four goal to none third quarter saw the Eagles skip out to a 32 point lead at the final change.
The final quarter was much of the same, as Craigieburn were able to control the contest, inevitably taking out a commanding 13.10.88-6.9.45 win. Sam Rexhepi maintains his position in the top five of the leading goal kickers, adding four more against the Fog. Luke Scarpini and Jamie Gorgievski also added four goals between them.
For Moonee Valley it was young gun Zac Di Giuseppe (two goals) and Jack Newman (two goals) who led from the front, as well as Charles Aitken who took out best on ground honours for the visitors.
The Eagles will enjoy another home game this coming week, this time against an in-form West Coburg outfit, whilst Moonee Valley travel to Willowbrook Reserve to take on Westmeadows.
DISTRICTS ROAR TO LIFE AT COLE RESERVE
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Coburg Districts have opened up a six-point gap between themselves and Taylors Lakes on the ladder after the home side thumped the latter by 50 points on their home deck.
It was a tight first quarter, and the Lakers took a one-point lead into quarter time, before the Districts exploded in the second quarter piling on eight goals to two, taking a commanding 37-point lead into the main change.
It has been a tough month for Taylors Lakes, who have played in three nail-biting encounters against Keilor Park, Burnside Heights and Hadfield over the previous few rounds, but Tom Gleeson’s men made sure there was nothing close about this contest, with the hosts taking out the 17.9.111-9.7.61 victory.
Dayne Tannenberg was excellent for the Districts, booting four goals and was followed by Gleeson and James Philpot (three goals each).
For the visitors, Tomi Ibarra, Jackson Wright and Joshua Vassolo all kicked two goals each, but it wasn’t enough for Charles Cuzzupi’s men who now drop to 2-5-1.
With Coburg Districts hitting some form, the next week will be a huge test for them as they venture to Keilor Park Reserve as they face the top-of-the-table Devils. Whilst for Taylors Lakes, they’ll host a must win clash against Northern Saints at Lionheart Reserve.
DEVILS JUMP BACK ON TOP WITH MASSIVE WIN OVER HAWKS
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Keilor Park has hopped back on top of the Strathmore Community Bank Division Two ladder by just .34 of a percent, defeating Hadfield by a mammoth 59 points at Martin Reserve.
The Hawks have definitely been impressive so far this season, and were in the game up until three quarter time. Unfortunately, they were no match for Paul Guicas’s men who dismantled the home side in unbelievable fashion in the final term, booting a staggering 11 goals to two in the final 30 minutes to take the 17.17.119-9.6.60 victory.
To backtrack slightly, we need to address that the first three quarters were extremely even. The Devils led at every change but were only ahead by a point at quarter time, 11 points at half time and a goal at three quarter time.
They were far from perfect, but showed just how dangerous they can be when they flip the switch. Rhys Deacon and Daylan Kempster booted five goals each, and were followed by Robbie Castello who added a couple.
For the home side, Jason Choueiri added three goals, whilst Mark Sabatino booted two of his own.
With “eight pointer” games all over the place next week, both sides have their hands full with quality opposition. As mentioned earlier, Keilor Park will travel back home to face the in-form Coburg Districts, whilst Hadfield will travel to Brookside Recreation Reserve to face off against Burnside Heights in a massive battle between third and fourth.
AN UPSET THRILLER AT ABERFELDIE
Aberfeldie have produced the upset of the season thus far, knocking off third placed Oak Park by 2 points, in a seesawing contest down at Aberfeldie Park West.
The game would be called off prior to the three-quarter time siren, with Abers just ahead when the umpires deemed the game would not continue after an injury delay.
For both clubs the clash proved to be vital, as Oak Park wished to stay in touch with the breakaway top two and Aberfeldie looking to gain momentum and propel itself into top four calculations after a disappointing start to the season.
In the return bout after their Round 1 meeting, Aberfeldie got the jump on their opposition holding slender leads at both quarter-time and three-quarter time.
As the teams ran out for the second half the screws and pressure tightened for all, the tight contest only producing one major for Aberfeldie and no score for the Kangaroos.
The one goal however was enough to regain the lead and see Aberfeldie over the line as the umpires signalled the end of play.
For the home side, Elisha Wain continued her stellar season finishing best on and hitting the scoreboard with a goal, followed by also impressive performances by Jessica Sutton and Kylie Kennedy.
Looking forward Oak Park face a visiting Burnside Heights in Round 9, with Aberfeldie making the trip to Ormond Park, hoping to bag the 4 points and overtake Moonee Valley for fifth on the ladder.
SUNBURY SPOIL THE VALLEY'S PARTY
If not for a resounding last quarter performance, Moonee Valley were on for their first win of the 2022 season.
Sitting plumb last entering the match, the Fog caught Sunbury napping, creating a 22-point buffer as the teams headed for their huddles at quarter-time.
A message from Kangaroos coach Ron Sikora at the break realigned his team and brought the scores back to level as the teams entered the rooms at half-time.
The topsy-turvy affair reared its head after the three-quarter-time break, as things finally clicked for the Kangaroos, a resounding 8.1 to 0.0 final term saw them run away 45-point winners.
The match proving to be a what if for the Valley, as they fell to the sword of a stronger line-up as the game wore on.
Lisa Borg continued her fine form in front of goal this season, adding a further four to bring her 2022 tally to 18, with Olivia Cairo chipping in with two herself.
Moonee Valley have another chance to jump off the bottom of the ladder next week, as they face seventh placed Pascoe Vale who have only secured the one victory so far this season.
The Kangaroos come up against cross town rivals the Lions, in a battle for bragging rights over who reigns supreme in Sunbury.
DISTRICTS CRUISE TO VICTORY
Remaining in touch with the top two, Coburg Districts have flexed their muscle in a runaway 35-point win against a Maribyrnong Park outfit yet to win a game for the season.
The Districts were hardly challenged as they got themselves out to a 28-point lead at the half and extending it by a goal as the final siren blew.
As the top 4 continues to break away from the chasing pack, the win sees the Districts stay in touch only a game behind Airport West and two games behind the undefeated Tullamarine.
A third v fourth placed face off in Round 9 sees Coburg Districts look to extend their gap at the top as Westmeadows face the trip to Cole Reserve.
Maribyrnong Park face the tough task of travelling to Hansen Reserve to take on the inform Airport West side, hoping to keep the pressure on top placed Tullamarine.
