EFL Media’s Matt Fotia previews all the weekend’s action in Division 1. Make sure you get involved this weekend by Tweeting us, @footyefl using the #EFLDIV1 hashtag.
Noble Park (3rd, 9-4, W L W) v Norwood (7th , 5-8 , L L W)
Travelling steadily along this season Noble Park have steered clear of the spotlight, but remain an ever-present threat.
Last week’s six goal win over Rowville was a complete performance from start to finish, however it was the Bulls’ eight-goal-to-two third-quarter, which really stamped their authority on the game.
Three of the most well-known Bulls collected the ‘votes’, with stalwart Ziggie Alwan snagging six, whilst Kyle Martin and Jackson Sketcher controlled the midfield. Expect them to be key players yet again this weekend.
The Bulls have won four out of the last five, and will be looking for another win at the Bullring.
Whilst it’s been an up and down year for the Norsemen, their smashing of Blackburn shows that they can take down many an opponent on their day, as well as highlighting how much they can shape the final five, even if they won’t be a part of the finals action themselves.
After being called one dimensional by a certain person on the EFL media team (me), Norwood then came out and cracked the code having 13 different goal kickers in its win against the Panthers.
Usual suspects Gysberts, Aver and Johnson performed well, whilst there was a welcome return to form for Lochlan Dickson after his recent troubles with injury.
The Bulls will need to put in a four-quarter effort against a Norwood side who may just be playing without a little bit of pressure for the first time in a while.
Last time: Norwood 11.6.72 def by Noble Park 12.11.83
Close all day, with Noble holding their lead for the majority. Sketcher in the Bulls best, whilst Aver and Dickson were good for Norwood.
Montrose (10th, 3-10, L L L) v Vermont ( 1st , 13-0, W W W )
The Demons look just about safe from the drop this season, but the faithful would love one more win to make it certain. However they’ll have their work cut out to find it this week.
The first three quarters last week were great for the Dees, leading Doncaster by less than a goal at 3/4 time. However, a six goal to none last quarter saw them go down in flames.
A player that has been brilliant for Montrose in recent times, has been Jake Taberner. The Key defender has been Montrose’s best in their games against Doncaster and Bayswater. With Vermont’s potency, he will have his hands full again this weekend.
The Eagles are looking unstoppable. Last week threw up a worthy challenger in Balwyn who managed to keep Vermont goalless in the last quarter, but the Eagles held their nerve to keep a two goal buffer at the final siren.
Tom Schinder and Robbie McComb kept their spectacular form going, whilst Jake Best added a lazy 3 in the low scoring affair.
If anyone who struts out in purple and gold does happen to be out of form at the moment, this game could be a chance to find it. Stars such as Best, Johns and co could be rested , meaning a chance for lesser lights to put their name in the spotlight. Although, I don’t think squad depth is an issue.
Last time: Vermont 18.13.121 def Montrose 7.14.56
Best kicked 4, whilst McComb hit the scoreboard in yet another good performance. Could be a long day for the Demons this time again.
North Ringwood (8th, 5-8, L W L ) v Doncaster ( 6th, 8-5, W W W )
With the coach out the door via mutual agreement, Saints players will be on notice , and will need to impress if they’re to keep their place in the side for season 2018.
Too few were attempting to do the work of many against East Ringwood for the Saints, in a game where they rarely looked like challenging.
Sam Banfield provided a good outlet up the ground, Rory Harbeck did well with the limited opportunities and Michael Locco was the main catalyst for attacks off the half back flank.
A much bigger team effort will be needed this week if they’re too take anything from this game.
The Sharks have had three wins on the bounce and find themselves just percentage behind Balwyn in fifth and a win against the Sharks will make it a perfect month.
The Sharks are the worst attacking unit of the Top 7, and despite the efforts of Josh Lumisci (23 goals) and Daniel Cooper (22). The Sharks will need to find a way to consistently hit the scoreboard if they’re keep their strong form going, hopefully for their sake , deep into September.
The defence however is lead very well by Ben Marganis, and is the 3rd best in the division. With North Ringwood also better in defence then attack, a low scoring affair is on the cards.
Last time: Doncaster 5.8.38 def by North Ringwood 16.7.103
Thomas Hill kicked 7, as the Saints got a hold of the Sharks defence, but don’t expect that safe to be cracked the same way again.
Balwyn (5th, 8-5 , W L L ) v Rowville ( 11th , 3-10, W L L)
The Tigers kept it tight against Vermont last time out, as has been their want this season, conceding a measly 804 points this season.
The likes of Tom Simpkin, Kris Pendlebury and Taylor Gilchrist have kept a well oiled back six moving smoothly and allowing a solid base for the Tigers to prepare their annual assault on the flag.
However the Tigers will need to find a consistent second avenue to goal, with Jonathan Simpkin’s 11 goals the second best behind Jeff Gobbels ( 31). There’s a good chance here against Rowville to find that option.
The Hawks themselves are not where the thought they might be and their fans have the right to feel disappointed.
Games against South Croydon and Balwyn earlier in the year have seen the Hawks fall away late in games and in some specific quarters.
Over the past fortnight, the best Hawk has been Daniel Zajac. Down back alongside Mason Crozier, Zajac has continued to keep the Hawks in games for as long as he and his fellow backs can. However they’ll need a chop out from the midfielders this weekend if they’re too take any points from the game.
Last time: Rowville 12.7.79 def by Balwyn 12.18.90
Gilchrist, Pendlebury and T.Simpkin in the best. Jarryd Chirgwin kicked 5 goals of his 10 for the year.
Bayswater (12th, 1-12 , L W L) v East Ringwood ( 9th, 4-9, L L W)
The Waters must win almost every game left this season, if they are to have any chance of maintaining their Division 1 status for 2018.
A win against Montrose and a spirited effort against South Croydon, suggest good things, where a 5 goal to 1 last quarter exaggerated their margin of last weekend’s loss.
Mitchell Galvin continues to stand tall for his side and his last three weeks have seen him settle into some good form. He’ll need some friends to jump on the bandwagon if they’re any chance of staying up though.
Following a big win against North Ringwood, signs of the old East Ringwood flickered ever so lightly.
Ruckman Dean Cleven dominated the hitouts, captain Chris Cerni was at his physical and destructive best whilst James Belo swept up almost every 50-50 ball that entered his sides defensive half.
The Roos were also efficient when going forward, making the most of their entries, showing flexibility with 9 individual goalkickers.
Last time: East Ringwood 18.11.119 def Bayswater 6.10.46
Cleven best on ground and another even spread of goal kickers for East. Now Coburg player Sam Lowson kicked 5.
Blackburn (4th, 9-4, L W L) v South Croydon (2nd , 10-3 , W W W)
Last weekend’s loss to Norwood could be massive for the Burners, as their opponents this week can go two games clear of them in second, whilst Balwyn and Doncaster can draw level should they drop more points this weekend.
Blackburn’s midfield strength is undoubted, but their defence, despite having conceded less the 1000 points (977), is the most expensive defence in the top six.
Coming up against the second -best attack this weekend in South Croydon (1203 points) means pressure will be heaped on the likes of Daniel Campisano and Co. If the Burners do find a way to stop South’s attack, it could not only help them this week, but also over the next couple of months.
The Dogs are fast and flashy. Leigh Adams has South Croydon playing an aggressive, quick and handball happy brand of football.
Quick ball movement, knowledge that their best ball users and runners will be almost always be available as an outlet means an inform Doggies outfit is irresistible when on song.
Speaking of on song, Frank Anderson has been incredible in recent weeks. 12 goals in three weeks and in the best on all three occasions. The smooth mover is priming himself for the Dogs first finals series in a long long time and it could be an exciting one to watch.
Last time: South Croydon 18.12.120 def Blackburn 13.19.97
Jake Tucker kicked 7, as the Dogs won the round 2 shootout. Another one could be on the cards as both teams are better going forwards rather than backwards.
