EFL Media’s Tim Fitzsimons previews all the action in Division 1. Make sure you get involved this weekend by using the #EFLDIV1 hashtag and tweeting us @footyefl.
SOUTH CROYDON v BALWYN
Round 15 Division 1 action kicks off with the huge clash between second placed South Croydon and third placed Balwyn at Cheong Park.
South Croydon have been in excellent form winning seven of their past eight clashes, with a two-point defeat to Noble Park in round ten their only blemish in the past two months.
They come into this match following a hard-fought 14-point victory over fellow premiership aspirant Blackburn.
Matt Jones was instrumental in last week’s win and the Tigers will be doing their best to ensure he doesn’t damage them with his ball use.
Balwyn finds itself in third place coming into this game after last weeks 20-point win over Rowville due to Noble Park and Blackburn both suffering losses.
Saturday’s encounter is the first of two massive games for the Tigers with a huge clash against Noble Park looming in round 16.
With the race for a top five spot heating up and just one game separating third from sixth, Balwyn will be needing to win at least one, if not both of these games if they are to be in the prime position to cement their place in September.
EAST RINGWOOD v MONTROSE
Both East Ringwood and Montrose will be hoping to finish of the season with some good performances after disappointing campaigns so far in 2017.
The Roos are beginning to do just that with back-to-back wins in their last two encounters.
Last weeks low scoring slog against Bayswater in blustery conditions may not have been the greatest spectacle but they came home with the four points nonetheless and in doing so moved out of second last place on the ladder into ninth.
Montrose will be desperate to taste victory again before seasons end after going seven straight games without a win.
They battled hard last week against an undefeated Vermont side and they can definitely take some positives out of the 28-point loss.
The season may be over for both of these sides, however this game should be an interesting encounter with both sides looking to finish the season strongly.
BLACKBURN v VERMONT
One of the games of the round will take place at Morton Park this Saturday when Blackburn host Vermont.
Vermont’s season has been outstanding and they have continued to get the job done week after week.
The Eagles were too strong last week against Montrose with Lachlan Johns kicking four goals for the winners as one of the better players on the ground.
If Blackburn is to do what no side has done so far this year and knock off Vermont, they must nullify Johns’ influence.
The Burners have been hit hard with injury and two straight losses have seen them drop outside the top five for the first time this season.
They couldn’t quite match South Croydon last week and trailed at every break en-route to a 16-point loss.
A win this week is needed for Blackburn to regain their spot inside the top five and a loss could see them needing to win a round 18 clash with Doncaster to play a part in September.
NORWOOD v BAYSWATER
Mullum Reserve will see rejuvenated Norwood outfit host a Bayswater side searching for their second win of the season on Saturday.
Norwood is finishing off what was looking to be a disappointing season in style with upset victories over Blackburn and Noble Park in the past two weeks.
The competition’s leading goal kicker Leigh Williams was vital in their 27-point win over the Bulls last week booting four majors and the star forward will be at the top of the Waters list of players to stop this week.
If Bayswater is to avoid a likely relegation come seasons end, a win over Norwood will go a long way to doing so.
Offence has been one of the Waters struggles at times this season and last weeks scoreless second half against East Ringwood in tough conditions highlights this issue.
If they are to get the win this week, they must find a way to generate some attacking play and hit the scoreboard throughout the match.
NOBLE PARK v DONCASTER
One of the most important games in shaping the top five will take place at the Bullring this Saturday with fourth placed Noble Park hosting fifth placed Doncaster, with just percentage separating the two sides.
Noble Park will be disappointed with their performance last week, going down by 27 points to Norwood at home.
Just four players were named in their best in the loss that saw them fall back into the pack of teams vying for a finals birth.
Doncaster is one of the form sides of late, winning it’s past five games to propel itself into the top five for the first time this season.
It is a remarkable effort for a side that sat two games and percentage outside the top five at the start of July.
A gutsy 11-point win over North Ringwood was vital for the Sharks last week after they trailed at every change.
Jake Kalanj Josh Lumicisi were important for the Sharks combining for seven goals against the Saints.
This looms as one of the games of the round and the result will go a long with to shaping the top five.
NORTH RINGWOOD v ROWVILLE
The final game of the round sees Rowville travel to Quambee Reserve to take on North Ringwood.
Finals are out of the question for these sides but they will both be looking for strong finishes to their season.
Rowville have plenty to play for with a win ensuring they definitely avoid relegation to division 2.
They have had a disappointing campaign in 2017 and are coming into this clash with the Saints on the back of three straight defeats.
The Hawks finished last week’s game against Balwyn strongly, kicking four goals to none in the final term to fall 20-points short of the Tigers.
North Ringwood will be hoping to give interim coach Brett Moyle something to smile about in the final month of season with very winnable games in the next to weeks.
The Saints will be hurting following last week’s 11-point loss to Doncaster despite leading at every change, including a five goal advantage at quarter time.
Charlie Haley will look to continue on from his exceptional performance against the Sharks where he rammed home eight majors despite the defeat.
If Rowville are to win this one, shutting down Haley will be of the upmost importance come Saturday.
