KEILOR v STRATHMORE
Friday 7:30pm at Keilor Reserve
ON paper this game appears to be a one-sided affair.
Keilor have barely put a foot wrong this season, while Strathmore have battled to be competitive.
Strathmore’s first of two wins came against Pascoe Vale in Round 4, but the tables were turned in Round 10, as Strathmore’s list of woes seems to have grown.
Keilor have shown on their day they can match it with any team and appear set to be a force to be reckoned with in the finals.
Strathmore come off a 71-point loss to Aberfeldie that could have been greater while Keilor comfortably accounted for Pascoe Vale, despite only kicking six goals from 26 scoring shots.
Keilor have had 41 players take to the field this season as they look to get the right mix with a number of key players also featuring in the VFLW.
Lauren Caruso and Kallyn Gent featured heavily against Pascoe Vale.
The Mores are one of a number of lower ranked teams at the other end of the spectrum and have only a list of 30 to choose from, with 15 girls taking the field against Aberfeldie.
Taylah Lambert, Robyn Randell and Zana Maginness are consistent performers for their team, but they come up against a different level of class and experience under lights here.
PASCOE VALE v CRAIGIEBURN
Sunday 2:20pm at Raeburn Reserve
Fourteen points was the difference in Round 2 when the Eagles held out a determined Panthers outfit.
This game looks likely to be played out in a similar way, but there is potential for a reversal of result.
Craigieburn now find themselves languishing at the bottom of the ladder after Pascoe Vale beat Strathmore for their first win of the season in Round 10.
Jemayne Albrecht and Rebecca Lines fought hard for the Eagles in their loss to Westmeadows.
Emelia Yassir was an important part of the Calder Cannons 2019 program and came up from the Panthers’ Under 18 team to show she could hold her own in the seniors, while Lily Saunders was also prominent in good signs for the future.
Both teams’ points for and against totals tell a tale of their seasons, but this game will give one team a reason to celebrate.
MOONEE VALLEY v TULLAMARINE
Saturday 10:00am at Ormond Park
Moonee Valley have faltered in the last two weeks, suffering back-to-back losses and will want to turn momentum back in their favour heading into August.
The week off may have come at the perfect time, giving sore bodies the time to rest for both teams.
Tullamarine were gutsy but lacked the a finishing touch against Aberfeldie 2.
Down by just six points at three-quarter time, the Demons’ midfielders were able to get their hands on the ball first around the packs, but could not effectively drive the ball forward, with Taylah Hardman and Tricia Devine providing run.
The Fog now sit in second a game behind the Stars after going down by five goals, despite leading at the first change.
Tara Newman, an important part of the future for Moonee Valley, tried hard, hitting the scoreboard and providing drive for her team alongside Santana Daly and Sarah Ronayne.
Tullamarine sit in the middle of the pack and have Keilor Park next as they attempt to lock in a finals position.
They will likely need to win at least one of the next two games to hold on to their place and, just as importantly, maintain the self-belief of their group.
If Moonee Valley loses this one, questions will be asked about the impact of the forfeits from earlier in the season and just how much growth they have to go.
ABERFELDIE 2 v KEILOR PARK
Saturday 11:00am at Aberfeldie Park West
Louise Erasmus, Siobhan Carlton and Sarah Larkings came down from the Premier team and were instrumental in Aberfeldie 2’s win over Tullamarine in Round 11, keeping their team in the finals hunt.
Larkings was particularly important in strongly rebounding the Demons’ attacks.
Ruby Cashmore, one of Aberfeldie’s consistently best players in the Division 1 team, kicked a stunning goal from the forward pocket in the last quarter to snuff out any chances Tullamarine had, extending the home team’s lead to the final 12-point margin.
Keilor Park will be looking to extend their winning streak to three games, after two 10-goal wins against Avondale Heights and Greenvale.
Sam German has now kicked 15 goals in her last four games, with a bag of six in the Devils’ 59-point win over the Jets.
Caitlin Holzheimer, Chiara Imela, Sara Imela and Cheyene Macumber continue to showcase Keilor Park’s great depth, each contributing something slightly different to the mix.
Keilor Park will not waiver in their approach to the ball and be determined to beat the side that Aberfeldie chooses to put out on the field.
