IT’S a special mid-season edition of Around the Grounds this week, as most of the competition manage to put its feet up for the mid-season bye.
HOWEVER
There were still five games of football for punters to feast their eyes upon – one in division one, and four in division three.
Diamond Creek have cemented itself as a team to watch for the finals in its first season in the competition since 2008 – a remarkable first half of the season capped off with an eight-point win over Eltham away from home – a hard place to win.
The Demons employed the services of ex-Adelaide Crow Lachie Murphy for the afternoon after gaining a clearance from Port Noarlunga, playing alongside brother Blake, and he more than lived up to his billing as he helped the Demons recover from a one-goal first half, named in the best players for the afternoon.
Five goals to two in the last term meant the Demons were able to turn it all around when it mattered most – a spot in the top three, and percentage behind Montmorency in second, is the result ahead of what is suddenly a very interesting contest against the undefeated Heidelberg this week.
GOAL OF THE YEAR?
Social media has been doing the rounds at Binnak Park on Saturday, with Watsonia’s Seb Tarczon kicking what will likely be the goal of the season. It will take one extraordinary effort to beat it.
Starting on the half-back flank, Tarczon, full of dash, took six bounces before settling and kicking a remarkable goal reminiscent of Phil Manassa in the 1977 VFL Grand Final replay.
That one was the pick of Tarczon’s three goals for the afternoon, but it wasn’t quite enough to get Watsonia over the line against Ivanhoe, despite giving the Hoers their biggest test of the season so far – 29 points the final margin, 16 at three-quarter-time.
HURLEY’S BIG DAY
It’s easy to forget Michael Hurley was a key forward to start with at Essendon way back in the day when he helped get the Bombers into the finals thanks to a huge performance in the second half in round 22 to beat Hawthorn.
Finally fulfilling a long-held destiny to play footy once again with close mate Ricky Dyson, Hurley stood out in Reservoir’s 23-point win over Epping, kicking seven goals and proving the difference.
It was a big day at Crispe Park. Bachar Houli played alongside Richmond premiership teammate Trent Cotchin, while Houli’s Newport teammate, Nayef Hamad, also played and performed well.
Meantime, Epping’s Brent Macaffer continued his good form, named Epping’s best player for the day.
STATE OF PLAY
Plenty happening in all leagues as the competition moves towards the second half of the season.
Division one continues to see Heidelberg as the runaway leader, but the Tigers have some interesting matches coming up, including the aforementioned clash at Coventry Oval against Diamond Creek this weekend, while an upcoming clash against Montmorency looms as the most mouthwatering so far.
Hurstbridge sit fourth and Bundoora fifth, just percentage ahead of Eltham, while Greensborough sit a game further back. Hurstbridge plays Eltham and Bundoora plays Greensborough this week – both huge games.
North Heidelberg sits just behind the pack, while West Preston and Banyule play an eight-pointer which could decide the fate of the relegation battle, even this early in the season, with West Preston staring at the barrel of being three games behind the pack if it loses.
Onto division two, where it is Northcote Park leading the way, a game ahead of South Morang in second. The Cougars might be seen as a surprise ladder-leader by many, but I felt they were a candidate to perhaps pinch a spot in the top three.
South Morang are well positioned, while Lower Plenty has quietly moved to third, percentage ahead of Old Paradians, and a game ahead of the chasing Fitzroy Stars, St Mary’s and Whittlesea.
Macleod are a game further behind but boast the second-highest percentage in the competition, while Thomastown and Panton Hill are likely battling to stay in division two.
Division two is basically the closest competition in town – there are so many close matches, and this will continue to be the case as the season goes on.
A number of huge games this week, with St Mary’s hosting Fitzroy Stars, Old Paradians taking on Macleod, and Northcote Park taking on Whittlesea.
Division three seems a little closer than it was two weeks ago.
Ivanhoe are still the clear premiership favourites, but it doesn’t seem like the fait accompli it seemed to be for the first five weeks of the season.
While the Hoers are battling a few injuries at the moment, it has battled through good tests against Laurimar and Watsonia in the last fortnight to take good wins in the end.
However, Ivanhoe was tested right until the final quarter on Saturday, sitting just 16 points ahead at the final change, as mentioned above.
Mernda have now drawn level with Laurimar on seven wins apiece, and all eyes will be on Laurimar Reserve in two weeks’ time when the two teams meet for a second time this season after an instant classic in round two.
Mernda has never won at Laurimar Reserve, and it is the first of a big two games for the Dees, as they then host Ivanhoe.
Watsonia look to be comfortable finalists in fourth, but the main battle is for fifth, with five teams in the running.
Reservoir currently hold the golden ticket in fifth following its 23-point win over Epping, while Heidelberg West, Kilmore and Old Eltham sit a game and percentage behind the Mustangs.
Kinglake, fresh off its first win of the season, sit in 10th, while Lalor still seeks its first win in 11th.
