Taylors Lakes v Tullamarine
TAYLORS Lakes is somewhat stiff to be zip and two. In both of their losses, the Lions have been more than competitive.
On Good Friday, Sam Tankard’s men were particularly impressive during the first half at a windy Lionheart, but wayward kicking at crucial moments ended up proving costly.
Through the midfield Adrian Crawford, Luke Hodgkin and James Vistarini all won their fair share of the footy, but ultimately it didn’t reflect on the scoreboard.
Unfortunately the fixture hasn’t let up for the Lions, with Tullamarine next up.
The Demons have been ultra-impressive in their two wins and were too good for Westmeadows under lights in Round 2.
New additions Link Robinson, Robert Nikolic and Tim Barresi have all had an early impact and it’s already clear Tullamarine means business in Season 2017.
This will be a good test for both sides but the pressure is on Taylors Lakes to get its first W for the year.
Hillside v East Keilor
In two weeks the Sharks have moved from speculative flag fancies to clear-cut premiership favourite.
It was scary what they did to the Hawks in the season-opener two weeks ago but Hillside’s Good Friday follow up was probably more impressive.
Pressed all day, Steve Burns’ men eventually won the arm wrestle through the middle of the game and put Taylors Lakes to the sword with the help of a five-goal haul from Brandon Coletta.
Jordan Sinclair was also crucial with three of his own, but it was the Sharks’ potent midfield, led by 2016 co-Hutchison Medallists James and Victor Micallef, that shone through when it mattered.
Finally at home for the first time this season, the Sharks host East Keilor.
The Cougars come into the game off the back of a lengthy 21-day break thanks to a Round 2 bye.
They were competitive away to Glenroy in Round 1, but three weeks on, almost nothing significant can be taken away from that result.
Airport West v Hadfield
Here’s a match-up we have not seen at senior level in half a decade.
Since their last meeting, both clubs have won a senior flag – but both now seem an eternity ago.
For what it’s worth, still in the month of April, the Eagles find themselves in the top four thanks to a very impressive Round 2 win over Taylors Lakes and a gallant Round 1 loss to Tullamarine.
But given the small sample size, we’ve already seen that Airport West is going to be in the hunt now back part of Essendon Ford Division 1.
Unfortunately, you’d be hard-pressed to say the same for Hadfield.
It was a season-opener the Hawks will want to forget.
A final margin of 163 points after conceding 31 goals at home to Hillside did not support the notion around the traps that Hadfield will go better than expected in Season 2017.
In fact, this was probably well below the mark set by even the most cynical of Hadfield critics.
Expect a strong response from Steve James’ men at Hansen Reserve.
RADIO GAME | Glenroy v Westmeadows (ANZAC Day)
This is the biggest Essendon Ford Division 1 game of the season to date.
Both sides, tipped to be there at the pointy end by most, come into this traditional Sewell Reserve fixture at 1-1.
The one that comes out at 1-2 will be behind the eight-ball.
Glenroy wasn’t good enough for long enough in a tight Round 2 affair with Oak Park, eventually going down by eight points.
Westmeadows was out of its Round 2 game against Tullamarine by three-quarter time.
On paper this looks like a typically even Essendon Ford Division 1 match-up and the early set-ups will be fascinating.
Both sides boast good size inside each 50 and the midfield battle will pit some of the division’s best on-ballers up against one another.
Glenroy could welcome back Josh Trembearth for his first senior game of the season while Westmeadows recruit Brad Dimech is the one to look for at team selection after injury kept him away from the Round 2 line-up.
