By: Matt Fotia
We managed to miss the torrid weather during Saturday and experienced some interesting football across the League. There were big winners and losers and a couple of teams with their season hanging by a thread. Here’s five things from the weekend’s action…
Brilliant Burners, woeful Wooders
Mullum Reserve played host to one of the most important matches of the Division 1 season. Blackburn entering at 5-3 eager to maintain pace with the sides above it, whilst Norwood at 4-4 was equally as eager to join those in the chasing pack for finals footy.
Blackburn came away victorious by 27 points a margin that reflected the game pretty well, despite the moaning of Norwood fans. Blackburn smashed the Wooders in the first quarter, moving the ball with freedom and keeping complete control of the contest. Norwood returned the favour in the second quarter off the back of four Williams majors. A tight third term saw the teams level at three quarter time.
But five goals from Ryan Bathie and Patrick Lawlor saw a repeat of the first quarter. Ben McIntyre bulldozed all day in the midfield, Anthony Fagan showed his class returning from the VFL, and best of all the Panthers did it all without help from Jake Hammond who was held goalless.
Norwood seemed unaccountable and clumsy in defence and its lack of goal kicking options when Williams isn’t influential was highlighted. The Norsemen ball movement was negative and slow when placed under pressure from Blackburn, which only really faded in the second quarter.
Any side that presses high onto Norwood can trap it in their own half and will eventually cause a turnover and another scoring opportunity. The Norsemen must figure out how to transition the ball quicker or else it could well be curtains on their season in 2018.
Four doesn’t go into one
In Division 1, it looks like four of the final five spots are locked away. Vermont remains undefeated, Doncaster and South Croydon are clearing the next best sides whilst Blackburn has brushed off its early season woes to sit 6-3, leaving one spot available in September.
Rowville currently holds that spot, but seem on the slide. A month ago the Hawks faced Vermont in a top of the table clash, now they’re clinging onto to fifth by five percent. Balwyn is next in line after it grabbed a much-needed win over Noble Park last weekend. Both these sides have major question marks. Balwyn’s depth and injury list are holding it back, whilst Rowville’s performances against fellow finals aspirants is worrying.
North Ringwood impressed early in the year, coming closest to clipping Vermont’s wings. The Saints are also 5-4 after defeating Knox, but the main worry would be their ability to score. The Saints have only scored more than East Ringwood and Knox, and have a percentage of 90 and their neighbours Norwood can’t seem to find the right mix to produce consistent performances.
As to who will grab that final spot? It’s very hard to call. On paper, Norwood’s list seems the strongest but you can’t trust them. Balwyn has the pedigree but I don’t see its back-up players doing the job. North can’t score and Rowville hasn’t taken a scalp.
Your guess is as good as mine, but I’d be taking the punt on Rowville, I think the Hawks will do enough to sneak their way in.
All aboard the Tiger Train
Toot toot!!
Less than a month ago, Mitcham seemed destined for Division 2 football in next season’s restructure, along with Mulgrave. But a win over Mulgrave, a nail-biting draw against Mooroolbark and this weekend’s shock upset over Doncaster East sees the Tigers in the bottom two purely on percentage.
It’s been an incredible turnaround from the young Tigers who have copped their fair share of criticism from yours truly. Lucas Marro has kicked four and been best afield in both of their victories this season, whilst Lochlan Ryan has kicked goals in the last three games and appeared in the best players.
Heights Reserve would now be a very nervous place. Heath Black’s men will now be looking directly over their shoulder, and may be wondering where their next win is coming from. Mitcham will play Croydon in the coming weeks and after Saturday’s performance you would give the Tigers a big sniff.
Magpies swoop on the Jets
All eyes in Division 3 were on the massive clash between Scoresby and Heathmont as the two sides battled it out for first dibs at the second chance come finals time.
The Jets held the lead at every change, before a rampant Magpies kicked five goals to one in the last term. Dale Hehir kicked four for the Pies, as did Leigh Odermatt for the Jets.
What does this mean? Well for one, Scoresby has now put the smallest of breathing room between it and the Jets. Barring a major slip-up, the Magpies should be able to secure the double chance. The Basin are also big winners from this game. They defeated the Waverley Blues and have now come within four points of the Jets. Should Heathmont slip up once again, the Bears will be ready and waiting to pounce.
Finally, for Boronia, it gives the Hawks a clear challenger to second spot for them to vanquish. They got back on the winners list this weekend against Donvale and will be looking forward to their clash with Scoresby in the next fortnight.
Hawks fly high, Coldy lose touch
One-point losses are hard to take. They’re even harder when they come against the top side. They’re even harder again when they see you drift three games behind fourth place. That’s the reality for Coldstream after it just fell short of inflicting East Burwood its second loss of the year.
The Cougars kicked 3.4 to 1.0 in the last quarter and will be ruing those missed chances for weeks to come. The Cougars had four more scoring shots than their counterparts and should have come away from this game having made a major statement. Instead they may be looking at September holidays.
Glen Waverley Hawks might be able to claim it is the best side in this thing after next weekend. The Hawks knocked off Whitehorse by seven points to go clear second with an 8-2 record. Adam Amin kicked six goals in a low-scoring affair.
The Hawks travel to East Burwood for next weekend’s top of the table clash and with the Rams looking a little wobbly at this point, the Hawks could land a knockout blow. Win and they’ll go top and they will have played two of the other three sides in the top four. It’s all set up for them to claim top spot and have a real crack at winning the flag.
All views expressed in this article remain those of the author, and not of the Eastern Football League or its affiliated clubs.