KEILOR PARK 10.6 (66) def. ROXBURGH PARK 6.9 (45)
MATCH CENTRE
Keilor Park recorded their first win of the 2024 season with a 21-point victory over Roxburgh Park.
Without a win since the final game of the 2023 season, the Devils entered this clash with confidence considering their closest result this season was a five-point loss to the Magpies in Round 1.
It was relatively even for the most part with the Devils holding a two-goal separation on Roxy at halftime and the final change.
Roxy hit the front in the last quarter but the Devils remained calm and kicked the next four goals to claim that sought-after victory.
The Magpies went inside 50 15 more times than the Devils but manic pressure from Keilor Park forced turnovers and prevented clean looks at goal.
Daylan Kempster was named their best with 22 disposals, three goals, and eight contested marks in a captain’s performance.
Nick Spano was a great inclusion kicking four goals, while Sam Pontin was solid in the ruck with 29 hit outs in Jack Elliott’s absence.
The win moves Keilor Park one game behind Moonee Valley and Rupertswood, but will need to win at least two more games to avoid relegation with those sides set to face off in coming weeks.
Keilor Park will face Rupertswood at Salesian College in an important clash this week, while Roxburgh Park will host Oak Park.
OAK PARK 18.11 (119) def. CRAIGIEBURN 4.13 (37)
MATCH CENTRE
Oak Park moved a game clear of Craigieburn who have now lost six games in a row following an 82-point annihilation at JP Fawkner Reserve.
The Kangaroos restricted the Eagles to just one goal to halftime with some staunch defending, allowing just four goals for the game.
Kane O’Halloran continues to dominate for Oak Park kicking another bag of five, making it seven of 11 games where he’s kicked four goals or more.
Lachie Ronaldson put forward another impressive outing with four goals and was among 10 individual goal scorers for the Roos, much to Todd Clark’s delight.
Josh Ksiazek and Hirsi Twomey proved to be a handful in the ruck for a Craigieburn side with depleted tall stocks.
Max Gleeson (40 disposals, 12 intercept possessions, 12 rebound 50s) and Rory MacGregor (26 disposals, 14 intercept possessions) made life tough for Craigieburn forwards, while Jedd Taylor was dominant with 38 disposals.
Jamie Gorgievski (34 disposals, one goal) and Harry Albon (32 disposals), meanwhile, tried hard all day for the Eagles
Oak Park are now equal with Tullamarine on points with an extra game played, while Craigieburn are now a game out of finals.
The Kangaroos will next face Roxburgh Park as Craigieburn hosts Hillside.
ST ALBANS 10.7 (67) def. by HILLSIDE 15.6 (96)
MATCH CENTRE
Hillside took the four points against St Albans with a 29-point victory at Kings Park Reserve.
It was the first time these sides have met this season and served as a litmus test for both sides, with the top four currently all beating each other.
Hillside capitalised on opportunities in the first quarter, but the Saints looked the better side giving first use to their forwards and took a 15-point lead into the first change.
The Sharks kicked the first goal of the second term before St Albans pushed the margin out to 21 points 10 minutes into the quarter.
That would be as far as the Saints go with Hillside finishing the first half strong and remaining perfect in front of goal kicking their fifth straight of the game to make it a 10-point margin.
The third quarter is when the Sharks started rolling as they won the contested footy, forced the Saints into midfield turnovers, and found some synergy with their forwards.
The only Saints goal of the quarter came 29 minutes in to keep it a two-goal game at the final change.
Each side kicked a couple of goals but the Saints were unable to chew any further into the lead as the Sharks stretched away.
Co-captain Anthony Prestia was the barometer for the Sharks ending with three goals and 36 disposals to go with eight clearances and six tackles.
Anthony Prestia lifted his side with three crucial goals (Image: Moments by Shaun)
Fort Caruso continues to show no signs of slowing down with another huge performance in the engine room ending with 29 disposals and 12 tackles, while Lachie Pettigrove (21 disposals, one goal, 10 rebound 50s, eight intercepts) was solid in defence.
Jack Sims was the top ranked player on the ground and fought valiantly for his side with 36 disposals, 10 clearances, and a goal, while Matt Gundry (28 disposals, 12 clearances, seven tackles) and Josh Klaromenos (22 disposals, 10 intercepts) were reliable.
Ade Akintola left the game in the first half and would not return.
Jayden Kretiuk had the unenviable task of Josh Covelli but reduced the star forward to minimal impact, with his two goals coming in the last quarter – one from a downfield free kick.
Hillside moved to the top of the ladder but will face West Coburg at Shark Park this week to retain that spot, while St Albans will head to Leo Dineen Reserve for the first time to play Tullamarine.
Jayden Kretiuk was superb against Josh Covelli (Image: Moments by Shaun)
SUNBURY KANGAROOS 4.11 (35) def. by WESTMEADOWS 13.14 (92)
MATCH CENTRE
Westmeadows have created more breathing room inside the four with a strong 57-point win over Sunbury Kangaroos.
The Tigers held the Kangaroos at a comfortable distance for the majority of the game before kicking away with five unanswered goals in the last quarter.
Ash Flavel would be pleased bouncing back onto the winner’s list with wins against sides gunning for their finals spot pivotal approaching the final third of the season.
Aaron Evans led the way with three goals while Brayden Sudaro, Nathan Sparks, and Corey McCawley kicked two each.
It was a tough afternoon for Shanon Carroll’s men who remain third in line for fourth spot with Burnside Heights to come next.
Westy, meanwhile, will host East Sunbury.
GLENROY 12.10 (82) def. by HADFIELD 14.8 (92)
MATCH CENTRE
Hadfield picked up their fourth win of the season and second over Glenroy in their 10-point triumph on Saturday.
The Hawks pushed the margin out to 39 points 11 minutes into the third term before the Roys fired back with four unanswered leading into the final change.
Both teams had their share of momentum in the fourth quarter, but the margin would never drop below 10 points.
Ali Elmaaraoui booted six goals with Josh Trembearth kicking five goals in a game for the first time Round 10, 2017 when he was playing for his opposition.
Aaron Kite returned to form with three goals with George Abdallah, Mark Sabatino, Cody Wight, and Jake Young booting two each.
Glenroy will look to bounce back against Coburg Districts while Hadfield will face Northern Saints.
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TAYLORS LAKES 23.13 (151) def. EAST SUNBURY 6.4 (40)
MATCH CENTRE
Taylors Lakes powered away to a strong victory over East Sunbury despite a Thunder challenge in the first half.
East Sunbury brought the margin to within 16 points entering time on in the second quarter, but it’d be all Taylors Lakes from that point with the Lions kicking 15 second-half goals to East Sunbury’s two, winning by 111 points.
Tomi Ibarra was named the Lions’ best with a huge day in the engine room with Daniel DeVito (five goals) and Nick McIntosh (four goals) enjoying a day out in front of goal.
Taylors Lakes will have a week off with the bye as East Sunbury take on Westmeadows.
BURNSIDE HEIGHTS 11.8 (74) def. COBURG DISTRICTS 5.7 (37)
MATCH CENTRE
Twilight footy at the Bear Cave saw Burnside Heights get back on the winner’s list with a 37-point win over Coburg Districts.
It was a dominant performance defensively from the Bears who held the Lions goalless to half time with just five behinds conceded.
Districts rallied to begin the second half but were kept at bay by the Bears to ensure a comfortable margin come the final siren.
Nick Gregson led the way up forward for the Bears with three goals with Jordan Hughes and Matthew Larkin named their best.
Jack Gusman and Luke Viska kicked two goals each for Coburg Districts with Angus O’Meara and Aaron Aquilina their top performers.
Burnside Heights will head to Eric Boardman Reserve to take on Sunbury Kangaroos next, while Coburg Districts will head to Sewell Reserve to play Glenroy.
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