EFL Media’s Matt Fotia previews all this weekend’s action in Division 3…
Park Orchards (3rd, 12-5, WWL) v Ferntree Gully (7th, 11-6, WWW)
Park Orchards healthy percentage means the Sharks should be guaranteed a finals berth, but need to win to sew up the double chance they’ve worked so hard for all season.
The loss to Boronia last time out in a see-sawing affair had some positives. Michael Philp kicked three bringing his season tally to an impressive 37, which includes 12 in the last three weeks. Crafty forward Michael Prosenak kicked two as well , continuing his solid month which has seen him nail 14 goals and find himself in the best three times.
The Gully will be looking to win big and then refresh the efnl.org.au results page. They need to defeat the Sharks and then pray that two of Boronia, Scoresby and Heathmont slip up if they are to make an unexpected finals performance.
Lee Boyle kicked nine goals and Lachlan Kennedy cashed in with six during the Gully’s pumping of East Burwood. Simon Godfrey put in a top showing with three goals and a place in the best.
Last Time: Ferntree Gully 5.6.36 def by Park Orchards 11.9.75
A slow start from the Eagles were always chasing the Sharks tail (Sharks have tails yeah?)
Templestowe (2nd, 12-5, LWW) v Boronia (5th, 11-5-1, WLW)
The Dockers need a win to lock in the double chance. If they are to lose this game to Boronia they could fall as far as sixth position, although its healthy percentage should mean they are safe in the five no matter what.
The Dockers have the number one defence in the league, and showed that again keeping The Basin to just three goals and 12 scoring shots. The Basin were held goal less in the first and third term.Paul Fiorenza put in another strong performance down back leading this unit.
Boronia are coming off a nine point win over Park Orchards which has kept its season alive. Its tie with East Burwood means it cannot afford to lose, with both Ferntree Gully and Heathmont waiting just outside the five. The latter face third bottom South Belgrave.
Jacob Paterson kicked five and Lachlan Watson four which amassed over half of the Hawks score last week. Jarrod Lake put in another vote catching game as did Brenden Rapisarda.
Last Time: Boronia 13.9.87 def Templestowe 6.12.48
Paterson 5, as a 4 goal to 1 last quarter won it for the Hawks.
Ringwood (1st, 13-4, WWW) v East Burwood (12th, 0-16-1, LLL)
It’s all about locking up top spot for the Redbacks and getting that week off. After a couple of tough games against Templestowe and Boronia, they will have eased into finals after smashing South Belgrave and facing the lowly East Burwood this week.
Skipper Trent Farmer returned to the side with 10 goals, taking his season tally to 64. Incredible considering he spent a month out of the side with injury. Ruckman Ben Power is in incredible form his last three weeks have seen him go 2nd best on, BOG and 2nd best on.
The final siren cannot come quick enough for East Burwood this weekend. The shining light of ex AFL Star Damian Cupido has been something to make the Rams fans cheer. The Ex Lion and Bomber kicked six of his sides 10 last week and has 19 goals form his eight games this season. He was joined by the tireless Luke Brown as the Rams best players last time out.
Last Time: East Burwood 8.7.55 defeated by Ringwood 18.17.125
Farmer 6, Cupido 5, although Ringwood has a few other goal kickers.
The Basin (9th, 5-12, LLL) v Chirnside Park (8th, 7-10, LWL)
The Basin will be pleased the end of the season is nigh. With an injury ravaged list, they’ll be looking to reset and go full steam ahead at season 2018.
Its struggles down forward were highlighted against Templestowe with the Bears only managed three goals. They will need to find a goal kicking option before April rolls around again. On the plus side Sean Carlos has been consistent in the past month as has Mitchell Rule.
The Panthers had another tight loss to Scoresby over the weekend. Now synonymous with the titles – “Best of the Rest” and “Mid Table Mediocrity” , Chirnside will want to look for a long term plan once 2017 is over and reassess the way it has operated previously.
Veteran Michael King has been superb all year. 52 goals for the season from the dynamic small forward is something to cherish down at Kimberley Reserve, whilst Daniel Lewis has also been impressive recently. Named in the best for consecutive weeks and snagging six goals in the process.
Last Time: Chirnside Park 10.9.69 def The Basin 10.8.68
The Bears couldn’t quite pull off the comeback. King kicked 2 and Agnew 3 for the Panthers. Connor Edwards nailed 3 and was BOG in one of two games for The Basin this year.
Heathmont (6th, 11-6,WLW) v South Belgrave (10th, 4-13, LLL)
The Jets, much like Ferntree Gully need to win and hope the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. The one piece that would make things simple is if Boronia could kindly lose to Templestowe, as they would back themselves to put South Belgrave to the sword.
Kevin Clark and Fin Brown kicked five goals a piece last week, with Clark bringing his season tally to 49. Jarrod Spurrell has been in very good form as well getting his name in the paper three weeks on the bounce.
Their opponents South Belgrave will be pleased to have maintained its Division Three status for next season. They do however need to find improvement for next season, especially down back, the Saints have the second worst defence in the competition.
Piva Wright kicked five and was excellent in a losing side last week and will want to finish the season off well, whilst the youth of the side will be looking to leave a lasting impression in the coach’s head.
Last Time: South Belgrave 9.12.66 defeated by Heathmont 20.16.136
Clark kicked 7 and was BOG as the Jets won every quarter in a huge win. Will want a repeat.
Scoresby (4th, 12-5, WWW) v Warrandyte (11th, 3-14, LLL)
The Pies incredible run of form sees them with a chance of top three and double chance, even after its slow start to the season. If Park Orchards or Templestowe slip up against very good opposition in Ferntree Gully and Boronia the Pies could swoop in.
In a hard fought win over Chrinside Park it was an all Hicks affair with Nathan kicking four goals, and Jarrod putting in a second consecutive BOG performance. With the status of this weekend’s opponents Scoresby have a great chance of hitting finals with good momentum.
Warrandyte will be looking at 2018. They need to find goal kickers in the off season. If they plan on avoiding relegation next season they will definitely need to improve on a competition low 850 points.
The positives is the form of William Morley and James Appleby who have continued to work hard even as the season peters out.
Last Time: Warrandyte 8.7.55 defeated by Scoresby 11.11.77
N.Hicks 5, R.Hicks 2 whilst Appleby kicked 3 in what will be a closer game then the upcoming clash I feel.
