BURNSIDE HEIGHTS 6.6-42 def. by NORTHERN SAINTS 17.15-117
A FIRING start for the Northern Saints with six goals in the first quarter proved their intent to catch the top two on the Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 ladder.
The home crowd, although disappointed, were again able to see Josh Covelli work his magic in front of goal with another four goals to his name.
A match-up between Saints ball magnet Ryan Lofaro and Burnside Heights’ Adam Stefano made for many highlights.
Promising players have stepped up each week for the Bears but consistency across the board from the Saints was again overpowering and they again got the job done very comfortably.
JACANA 11.18-84 def. EAST SUNBURY 10.7-67
A windy afternoon down at Jacana Reserve led to a see-sawing affair.
The Jags were out of the gates quickly, again trying to assert their dominance.
A 40-point lead for the most in-form team in the division was cut down throughout the game and the Jags found themselves matched for speed by an athletic Thunder outfit.
East Sunbury young gun Tom Burnside’s bag of six out-did Jacana powerhouse Cameron Cloke, who still had five himself.
A more shared workload for Jacana around the ground made their typically vocal home crowd proud at the end of the day with a 17-point win.
ROXBURGH PARK 11.10-76 def. by COBURG DISTRICTS 20.20-140
A tug of war first half ensured the deficit was no more than three goals, exemplifying the Magpies’ will and effort for some much-needed consistency.
They want and need to prove they can climb the ladder for a late finals berth.
But those intentions were shut down through the skill and fitness of the Lions.
Roxburgh Park’s Scott Poynter did in fact lift, but his tenacity needed to be matched in other areas of the ground.
Spencer Aitken again shined for the Lions with his hard chasing and two-way running all day.
In the end the Lions’ work ethic was too much to handle for the Magpies, who lost by 64.
MOONEE VALLEY 22.18-150 def. KEILOR PARK 4.4-28
A commanding 10-goal-to-one first half proved the fierceness of Peter Gleisner’s men at Ormond Park against Keilor Park.
The Fog’s in-and-under hardness did contrast well with the Devils’ speed and aerial ability, making for many highlights despite the eventual score line.
Moonee Valley’s experience has got them to finals in recent times and they will have to continue this kind of full ground pressure to make it again in 2017.
On Saturday there were plenty of positive signs and the Ormond Park crowd had a lot to cheer about with a 122-point win.
