By AKSHAY KAPADIA
THIS Round 14 clash between Tullamarine and Hillside was tipped to be the game of the round.
Tullamarine, sitting second, came off an upset win over Craigieburn and a follow-up away win against Oak Park.
Hillside came off a drubbing of Hadfield.
Both teams were keen for wins to push their claims in the top four.
The game started with a large gust of wind and rain, leaving the spectators in the search for cover.
The rain was on and off for most of the day with the cold also being a factor.
The first quarter was the perfect start for the Demons, kicking the first five goals of the game, with two each from William Becker and Jack Sims.
Hillside struggled in front of goal, wayward kicking and short kicks resulting in a 21-point deficit at quarter time.
Again, Hillside only managed one goal in the second quarter and this time it came early, thanks to Troy Stone.
The rest of the quarter was dominated by Tullamarine, with their midfield playing a crucial role in bringing the ball into the forward 50, where Becker continued to lap up the goals, kicking another four for the term.
In total, Tullamarine kicked six goals and took their lead out to 53 points.
This wasn’t the game Hillside was hoping for.
The game evened out in the third term, Hillside taking the small victory by winning the quarter with three goals to two.
But it didn’t do much in terms of a comeback on the scoreboard. The margin still all the way out at 49 points.
In the last term Hillside showed sign of improvement, scoring four goals.
But it was too little too late as the Demons ran out winners by 48 points.
Becker ended the game with eight goals for Tullamarine.
The result puts Tullamarine only four points adrift of Craigieburn, who suffered another loss, this time at the hands of Glenroy.
The loss for Hillside has put the Sharks out of the top four, thanks to Oak Park’s win over Hadfield
This weekend Hillside hosts the bottom-placed Northern Saints while Tullamarine travels to Hadfield.
TULLAMARINE | 17.10-112
Goal Kickers: W. Becker 8, J. Sims 2, D. Devine 2, J. Port 2, J. Marcy, D. Scott, A. Liberatore
Best Players: W. Becker, D. Bartrop, J. Marcy, C. Burns, D. Brockway, D. Simmons
HILLSIDE | 9.10-64
Goal Kickers: V. Micallef 3, S. Ball, L. Johnstone, J. Bonnici, T. Stone, S. Nason, N. Palibrk
Best Players: R. Gashi, J. Hayes, V. Micallef, S. Nason, J. Sinclair, J. Volpato
