NORTHERN SAINTS 13.7-85 def. EAST SUNBURY 8.7-55
THE Saints came out with blistering pace and power, kicking seven goals to one in the first quarter and really stamping their authority.
This lead from the beginning gave them a big chance to get victory and after the first quarter they never took a backwards step, really lifting their side in front of a vocal home crowd.
Northern’s tackling pressure and hardness at the footy was phenomenal.
Chris Gray and Michael Basanisi both stepped up and set the tone early and really left it all out on the field for their navy, green and red outfit.
Young guns Lachlan Brne and Tom Cree brought their best through pace and efficiency by foot in a must-win game for the Thunder, but this was not to be said for many of their more experienced team mates.
East Sunbury is still sitting fifth and two wins behind Moonee Valley, making it very hard now for a finals berth.
Saints are the clear in third spot at this point after this 30-point win, however the hunger and tenacity they show will still shine each week to sneakily grab a top two position.
JACANA 14.12-96 def. ROXBURGH PARK 10.11-71
The Magpies stunned the home crowd in the first quarter by tearing up Jaguars.
Roxburgh Park kicked 3.9 to Jacana’s donuts to start the game.
That inaccuracy, though, did cost them dearly.
This amazing run was shut down by the Jags, who in the second and third quarters were able to kick 10.4, showing their abilities should never be questioned.
Leaders for the top side battled extremely hard for their home crowd, creating big presences at both ends.
The man of the moment and the most-talked-about player in the division rallied behind great support from Jacana fans and was able to kick another bag of six… now extremely close to the season century.
Billy Morrison was the presence down back for the Jags with intercept marking and pace.
He was able to counter attack quickly and set up many of their goals.
Skill and will for the footy by Harley Short helped Roxburgh Park lift in each contest and nifty ball-use and run-and-carry from Kajanithen Gnanapragasm both set up a thriller.
But from quarter time onward Jacana knuckled down and showed why they are the top dog of Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 with a solid 25-point win over the Magpies.
MOONEE VALLEY 17.11-113 def. BURNSIDE HEIGHTS 11.18-84
With wind a big factor in this game, Moonee Valley really used it to their advantage in the first and finished it up by eight goals against the scoreless Bears.
This great start from a strong breeze gave the Fog great confidence and helped them keep the lead all day.
Big second and fourth quarters by Burnside Heights lifted the of the game as crowd favourite Josh Covelli slotted three goals, adding to his whopping total of 60 for the season.
Speed and class in attack was promising for the Bears, however their defence, especially when against the wind, was poor and couldn’t stop Moonee Valley’s consistent forward attack.
Forward half pressure by the Fog’s Jacob Adkins and Lachie Cameron was too much to handle for the Bears and this immense pressure created many turnovers to set up countless goals.
Both teams in fact had the same scoring shots of 28, but accuracy in front of goal and will to stay in the top four hunt got Moonee Valley (who are now two wins clear of the Thunder) over the line in tough conditions by 29 points.
KEILOR PARK 7.5-47 def. by COBURG DISTRICTS 12.14-86
Fifteen scoring shots to three in the first half by the Lions showed they mean business and want to get back to being the top team of Strathmore Community Bank Division 2.
Keilor Park was valiant, however, hanging in the game to not suffer a blowout and impress their home fans.
This impressiveness shone through Kris Thomas, who stepped up and was involved in setting up many of the Devils’ goals with classy footwork.
That hunger to get a winning streak back came out in a powerful yet smart game style by Coburg Districts.
Through continued ball-use and speed from Nik Dimeski, the Lions were able to stay in control all day.
With inaccuracy in front of goal, the Lions got a solid 39-point win that could have been even bigger.
For now they remain second on the table.
