EFL Media’s Tim Fitzsimons previews all the weekend’s action in Division 2…
CROYDON (7TH, 6-11) v LILYDALE (3RD, 9-8)
Lilydale have almost done enough to cement a finals spot but a win over Croydon is needed to make certain of that.
With percentage on their side, the Falcons are in the box seat to play off in a knock out final next week and will be desperate to get the win over Croydon this week to remove any doubt of dropping to fifth position.
Lilydale will need to bounce back strongly this week after being badly beaten by Doncaster East at home last Saturday.
If not for a five goal to nothing last quarter, the result would have been even more humiliating than 81 points.
The Falcons ability to score heavily enough against some of the better teams has been an issue this season but coming up against a side like Croydon who are a step below those teams, it may not be an issue this week.
Croydon will be hoping to finish off what has been a disappointing season on a high note.
The Blues have been down on form lately, losing their past three games all to sides the were outside the top four at the time.
Inaccuracy has been one of their downfalls this year, kicking more behinds than goals in 11 of their games and if they are to knock off Lilydale they must make the most of their opportunities.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
ROUND NINE
LILYDALE 21.11.137 def. CROYDON 11.13.79
Through strong performances from Patrick Klep, Ryan Harvey and Jarrod Healy, the Falcons were able to take care of Croydon quite comfortably.
Kyle Maher and Matt Wilkins both worked hard for the Blues.
MOOROOLBARK (5TH, 9-8) v MITCHAM (9TH, 6-11)
Last week’s heart-breaking three-point loss to Upper Gully means Mooroolbark’s destiny is no longer in it’s own hands.
Even if they are to get over Mitcham this week, they also need either Lilydale or Wantirna South to lose if they are to jump into the top four and play a park in finals.
The Mustangs will be extremely disappointed they couldn’t back up their impressive victory over Doncaster East last week, unable to hold onto a slim three quarter time advantage.
Although their best form is good enough to compete with the top teams, their inconstancy means they are no certainties to walk over Mitcham this week.
The Tigers season has been a frustrating one and having lost their past five games has meant they now sit in second last place, a disappointing position for a side that would have hoped to be challenging for a finals birth.
Defence has been a major issue for Mitcham in recent weeks, conceding 102, 104 and 152 points over the past three matches.
In order to finish the season with an upset win, restricting Mooroolbark’s scoring opportunities will be of the upmost importance.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
ROUND NINE
MITCHAM 14.7.91 def. by MOOROOLBARK 16.9.105
A five goal last quarter wasn’t enough to get Mitcham over the line with the Mustangs recording a 14-point victory at Walker Park.
Kire Talevski booted five for the winners while Zak McCubbin matched the effort with five of his own for the Tigers.
KNOX (1ST, 16-1) v MULGRAVE (8TH, 6-11)
An opportunity for Knox to have a final tune up before embarking on a finals campaign comes against Mulgrave at Knox Gardens Reserve.
The Falcons come into the clash following a 99-point drubbing of Mitcham last week that included a final quarter onslaught where they piled on nine majors.
Knox’s even contribution would have pleased coach David Madigan and eleven individual goal kickers shows how dangerous they can be when their midfielders hit the scoreboard.
Mulgrave have finally hit some form of late and last week’s come from behind victory over Croydon was a gutsy performance on it’s home deck.
The Lions trailed at every change but managed to keep Croydon to just one behind in the final term as they moved out of second last place for the first time since round five.
As they continue to develop their youth, it will give the club great pleasure that the likes of youngsters in Tom McGowan and Lachie Raymer were among the best last week.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
ROUND NINE
MULGRAVE 7.9.51 def. by KNOX 14.13.97
Despite trailing by just 10 points at the last break, Mulgrave couldn’t match the Falcons and the margin ended at a very comfortable 46 points.
Jack Beech was outstanding for Knox with three goals while Seb Henderson was the Lions best in defeat.
DONCASTER EAST (2ND, 14-3) v WANTIRNA SOUTH (4TH, 9-8)
Due to a resurgence in the second half of the season, Wantirna South’s destiny is remarkably in it’s own hands.
A win over the highly fancied Doncaster East will see the Devils grasp a finals birth and give itself the opportunity to rectify last season’s grand final defeat.
They have been in terrific form of late and their defensive effort last week against Waverley Blues restricted the bottom placed side to just 1.2.8 for the day.
Over the past seven games they have let through on average less than six goals per game and if they are able to restrict the Lions to something similar on Saturday they will be every chance to come away with the four points.
Doncaster East have been locked in the top two for some time now and will be eager to get through this last game before an encounter with Knox in week one of the finals.
They beat up on Lilydale last week, racing out to a whopping 111-point lead at three quarter time before taking their foot of the pedal to get the win by 79 points.
Their scoring power is immense, scoring the most points out of any side in the competition and this should be an absolute cracker against the Devils whose defence has been its strongest element in the past few weeks.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
ROUND NINE
WANTIRNA SOUTH 9.7.61 def. by DONCASTER EAST 12.22.94
34 scoring shots to 16 highlighted the difference between the two sides back in round nine as Doncaster East prevailed by 33.
Tom Gordon was excellent booting five goals whilst Lincoln Wong led the Devils resistance.
WAVERLEY BLUES (10TH, 2-15) v UPPER FERNTREE GULLY (6TH, 8-9)
Although both of their seasons are effectively over (Upper Gully highly unlikely to make finals), Waverley Blues and Upper Gully will be hoping to finish off the season on a high to hopefully enjoy their break a little better.
Upper Gully have impressed many onlookers this season and have won a few more games than some people may have predicted after coming up from division 3.
A tight, low scoring slog at Heights Reserve against Mooroolbark saw them get over the line by three points despite trailing at every change.
Low scoring struggles have been the norm this year for Upper Gully with the Kings scoring the least but also allowing the fewest score out of any side in the competition.
The Waverley Blues will play its final division 2 game before being relegated this Saturday and will be desperate to add to its two wins.
They were disappointing last week, managing just one goal and three scoring shots against Wantirna South to go down by 60 points.
Against the best defence in the competition, the crowd at this one shouldn’t expect a high scoring shoot out this week.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
ROUND NINE
UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 11.15.81 def. WAVERLEY BLUES 4.19.43
An inaccurate Blues outfit weren’t good enough to match it with Upper Gully as the Kings got up by 38 points.
Bryce Hards and Andrew Godfrey led the way for the Kings while Adam Swierzbiolek did his best in defeat for Waverley.
