WEST COBURG v HILLSIDE
Saturday 2:15pm at Coburg City Oval
ON paper this is the game of the round, with both sides producing some mixed results so far this season.
Both the Burgers and the Sharks are fighting for a finals spot, so this win could be vital come season’s end.
West Coburg started 2019 with a win against Roxburgh Park but hasn’t been able to taste success since then.
The Burgers will be looking forward to returning to the field, having had a stop-start fixture the last couple of weeks with Easter and a bye.
Liam Bowkett has been the stand-out for the Burgers this season, having being named in the bests in all three games, so expect him to be among the stars again on Saturday.
Hillside again showed that they will be competitive in every game they play, just falling short of East Keilor on EDFL Match of the Day last week.
The Sharks did what no team had done this season, producing a competitive contest against the high-scoring and exciting Cougars.
Brandon Coletta starred in his return, leading the Sharks up forward by kicking six goals.
A win this week is important for Hillside.
While they are sitting at 2-2, they could quite easily have been 4-0 had a bit of luck went their way.
A loss would put them behind the eight-ball.
TAYLORS LAKES v WESTMEADOWS
Saturday 2:15pm at Lionheart Reserve
Taylors Lakes’ tough start to the season continued last week, with the side suffering their third loss of the season to Tullamarine.
It was always going to be a tough ask for the Lions, who were able to stay with the Demons to three-quarter time.
James McGrath and Harrison Tanner kicked two goals apiece for the Lions, while Nicholas English was named their best.
While the Lions have lost their last two games to the two pre-season favourites, on neither occasion have they been blown out of the game.
The Lions will be looking for their new-look side to gel and hopefully turn a few of those results into wins in the next few weeks.
It will be tough this week against Westmeadows, which is proving to be one of the division’s front-runners.
After four rounds, the question has to be asked of whether Westmeadows is a contender this season.
The Tigers’ strong early-season form says they are.
On Saturday, they knocked off Craigieburn in their best win of the year to date.
After being over-run by Tullamarine in Round 1, the Tigers didn’t make the same mistake twice and were able to hold on and get the win.
Ryan Mullen kicked four goals for the Tigers in his second game, having started the season at Under 19s level.
In good signs for the Tigers, two of their young guns in Mullen and Jordan Hollow were named among the best players in the two-point win.
After playing a number of the top sides, the Tigers need to make sure they continue that same form against a side which is lower down the ladder.
ROXBURGH PARK v CRAIGIEBURN
Saturday 2:15pm at Lakeside Oval
The place was humming at Lakeside Oval on Saturday night, with Roxburgh Park breaking through for its first win of the season.
After an up-and-down start to the season, the Magpies put it together for four quarters and were rewarded with victory.
If not for poor kicking in front of goal and Oak Park kicking straight, the margin could have been a lot bigger.
Brandon McLarty kicked four goals for the Magpies, while Ryan Micallef, Jay Barbera and Harley Short were among the stand-outs.
The win gives the side some added belief that they belong at this level.
It will be a tougher match this weekend for the Magpies, facing Craigieburn.
The Eagles will be looking to bounce back, after losing a thriller to Westmeadows.
They trailed all day and looked set to over-run the Tigers late, but the Tigers were able to hold on.
Brock Chircop kicked four goals for the Eagles and his performance earned him their best-on honours.
While the Eagles would be disappointed with the loss, there wouldn’t be many concerns.
They still have a few experienced players to return to the line-up and they will only make them get better, while star forward Dean Limbach is still working toward full fitness.
EAST KEILOR v OAK PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Overland Reserve
On form this season, this match looks like it will be a one-sided affair with East Keilor to continue its winning run.
The two sides sit at the opposite ends of the table, with the Cougars yet to taste defeat this season.
Last week they were tested for the first time and passed that test with flying colours.
Hillside pushed East Keilor all the way, with the Cougars showing they could handle the pressure.
Dion Hill kicked five goals up forward for the Cougars, while Nathan Lyons and Josh Grabowski again showed why the Cougars targeted them in the off-season.
But while East Keilor continues to impress, Oak Park continues to struggle.
After two losses, the Kangaroos had their best chance to open their account against Roxburgh Park last week.
While the scoreboard showed a 12-point win to the Magpies, that score flattered the Kangaroos, who were kept in the game with straight kicking in front of goal.
Aden Harris again kicked three goals for the Kangaroos, while big man James Barnes was the side’s best contributor around the ground.
The Kangaroos will have to step it up a couple of levels this week if they are any chance of causing an upset.
