EFL Media’s Matt Fotia previews all the weekend’s action in Division 1…
Blackburn (5th, 11-6, LWW) v Doncaster (2nd, 12-5, WWW)
Both sides need to win this one. If Blackburn lose they could be out of the five come Saturday evening. Win and they could possibly climb up to second. The Sharks are guaranteed of finals regardless, but need to win to lock up the double chance. A loss could see them fall to fifth and face an elimination final.
Jake Hammond has led the line for Blackburn so well this season kicking 53 goals, but Ryan Bathie’s five last weekend will give Matthew Schimmelbusch and Ben Marganis something else to think about heading into the big clash. Schimmelbusch and Marganis have been the base of a solid defence which Doncaster pride themselves upon, with the pair of them featuring regularly in the best players for the past month. For the Blackburn defence, the Sharks flexibility will be a problem.
Josh Lumisci leads the way with 30 goals for the year, but Jake Kalanj has 29, Daniel Cooper 27 and Chris Annakis has 20 plus running out of the middle.
Ben Daniher has been running hot for Blackburn in the middle of the park all season, with 14 appearances in the best players, three of those in the last three weeks. Whilst for Doncaster, Michael Fogarty made a welcome return to form with a BOG performance in the Sharks hard fought win against Rowville.
Last Time: Doncaster 9.11.65 def by Blackburn 15.11.101
Hammond nailed 7 and the Burners ran away with it in the last, kicking 8 goals to 3.
Norwood (7th, 9-8, WWW) v East Ringwood (9th, 6-11, WLL)
With the mathematical chance of finals now gone, the most inform side in the competition will be playing for pure pride, and the possibility of a somewhat worthless sixth place finish this weekend.
Norwood have taken all before them since falling well out of touch with the top six, defeating Blackburn and Vermont along the way. Leigh Williams is the focal point of the Norsemen’s attack and has slammed 70 goals through the big sticks this season, but they have continued to find new options, shown with the six multiple goal kickers they had against Montrose.
Opponents East Ringwood have notched up six wins this season and have shown massive signs of improvement. They will also be buoyed by the blossoming youth within the senior ranks such as Daniel Butera, Darcy Hubbard, Dylan Belo and his brother James. These names will no doubt be a part of the Roos climb towards the top half in 2018.
They will need to find more goals if they are to make that aim a reality. Andrew Renton’s 19 is the highest at the club and with Jayden Bishop’s 14 the next best, East Ringwood need to find more firepower up front.
Last Time: East Ringwood 8.12.60 def by Norwood 19.15.129
Williams kicked 11. East Ringwood 8.
Noble Park (6th, 10-7, LWL) v Vermont (1st, 16-1, WLW)
The Bulls have to win to keep 2017 alive.Well its season, not the whole of 2017.
Along with defeated Vermont who have only lost one game all season, Noble Park must hope that one of South Croydon, Blackburn or Balwyn slips up as well. After a disappointing loss against North Ringwood last week, that challenge seems even bigger.
The Bulls will call upon it’s highly experienced group of players to will them over the line this weekend. Proof is there of course that they are capable, only a fortnight ago they defeated Balwyn by five goals away from home.
One player that has kept his form up for Noble has been Sam Monaghan. He has seven goals and two best on ground performances in the last three weeks. But he can’t do it all himself can he now.
Vermont bounced back like we all expected them too, defeated South Croydon convincingly by 48 points. The Eagles had 34 scoring shots to just 11 in a dominant performance.
Jake Best made a welcome return to the goalkickers list booting four majors, whilst hard working midfielders Lachlan Johns, Andrew Ellis and Adam Parker all kicked truly as well.
Despite the game having no actual implications on the Eagles ladder position, the chance to knock a rival out of the finals race will no doubt keep them motivated this weekend.
Last Time: Vermont 14.15.99 def Noble Park 14.10.94
Best and Howat 3, Thomas and Alwan 3. Bulls almost completed a massive comeback to snatch the points.
Rowville (10th, 5-12, WWL) v Bayswater (12th, 1-16, LLL)
Rowville have been disappointing this season, but its recent form has shown how good they can be. Defeating South Croydon at home before taking second placed Doncaster all the way last time out at Schramms, the Hawks will be looking to take momentum into season 2018.
Cameron Manuel who kicked two goals in a vote getting performance and Steven Georgiou who has kicked four and has BOG in recent weeks have been part of that mini revival. A win this week over the already relegated Bayswater could see Rowville finish in ninth position.
Opponents Bayswater looked good early against Blackburn before fading away late in the second half. The Waters will be looking to take as many positives out of the season as possible. They have added precious Division One experience to its list and like Rowville will be looking to finish the season on a high, as they prepare to head back into Division Two.
Last Time: Bayswater 12.10.84 def by Rowville 14.8.92
A nail biter at Bayswater Reserve with Rowville pinching the points.
South Croydon (4th, 11-6, LLL) v Montrose (11th, 3-14, LLL)
The Dogs have started to tire at this late stage of the season and with three back to back losses they could possibly fall out of the five, which would be disastrous after the start of the year the Dogs had.
Frank Anderson has been steadfast through this period with another BOG performance in last weeks loss to the Eagles following up from the tough loss to Rowville the week before, where Anderson featured in the best again. Anderson has kicked 18 goals this season off the wing and has been a vital attacking threat for South Croydon this year.
Montrose will be thanking its stars that Bayswater were in Division One this season. The Demons will be looking to improve its list for 2018 after it was hammered again, this time to Norwood. Billy Schilling stood tall however and booted his 37th goal for the season.
Last Time: Montrose 10.10.70 def by South Croydon 9.5.59
Schilling 5 in a massive upset. Could it be on the cards again ?
Balwyn (3rd, 11-6, WLW) v North Ringwood (8th, 7-10, LWW)
The Tigers bounced back from its loss to Noble Park to smash East Ringwood and move back up to third and be back into contention for double chance.
Jeff Gobbels kicked five moving his total to 41 for the year, Jonathan Simpkin kicked two and made a welcome return to the best, whilst Rennie Gilchrist is the best player at Balwyn currently. If the Tigers can grab the four points this weekend and lock up the double chance the rest of the final five will be shaking in its boots.
They tackle an inform Saints side who can share the season massively. Knocking off Noble Park last weekend put the Bulls out of the five and if they can pull a win off against the Tigers they can take double chance and possibly finals away from them.
Charlie Haley made a welcome return to the side and kicked five goals, backing up from his eight goal performance against Doncaster in round 14. Haley will be one to watch for the back line of the Tigers, a dynamic mover who evidently has an eye for goal.
Last Time: North Ringwood 5.8.38 def by Balwyn 12.12.84
Balwyn led all day to complete an easy win. Will be looking for much of the same again.
