BUNDOORA, VIC. (NFNL HQ). — Some crucial games face combatants in Round 16 of the Northern Football Netball League’s Division 3 football today.
Favourites have emerged for the double chance and fifth spot on the table, but nothing is locked in just yet.
Mernda jumped from 4th to 3rd with 9 wins and a percentage of 134.87, up from 122.6 a week ago. Their run home is Watsonia at home, then Lalor and Kilmore away.
Reservoir dropped from 3rd to 4th with their loss. They have 8 wins and a percentage of 121.84, down from 133.01 the previous week.
Their run home is Laurimar away, Heidelberg West at home and then Old Eltham Collegians away.
Watsonia (5th) has 7 wins and a percentage of 110.95
Their run home is Mernda away, Kilmore at home and Kinglake at home
Heidelberg West (6th) has 7 wins and a percentage of 90.71
Their run home is bye, Reservoir away and Lalor at home. Hawks’ fans will be hoping that Mernda defeats Watsonia this coming Saturday to keep their finals hopes alive.
Kilmore (7th) has 6 wins and a percentage of 83.23
Their run home is: Old Eltham Collegians at home, Watsonia away and Mernda at home.
Epping plays Kinglake at Epping Recreational Reserve. It looms as a winnable game for the Blues and a victory would be sweet for the team and the entire club if they can prevail. Given that they have the bye and then a game against Ivanhoe to round out the season, there is sure to be a big focus on getting the chocolates this weekend.
The Lakers face a similar challenge this weekend. After Epping, they also have a bye and then a tough assignment against Watsonia. Kinglake last won against Lalor in Round 8, They had the Round 9 bye and have lost six straight since then. It would be great for their fans if they could pinch a win as underdogs in this contest.
Lalor takes on Ivanhoe at Lalor Reserve in a bottom versus top encounter. After back-to-back byes due to circumstances beyond their control and then getting back to playing last weekend, the Bloods players may be ready to produce their best this weekend.
Even so, the Hoers will be the hottest of favourites in this encounter. Ivanhoe will have one eye on the Round 17 clash with Laurimar as they head to Lalor Reserve. They would love to be primed for the battle with the Power and will use this match as a springboard into what could be an unbeaten season. They look as though they will be fresh for that contest with eight changes for this weekend’s game, including a number of their top liners sitting out.
Old Eltham Collegians head to JJ Clancy Reserve to play Kilmore in an interesting contest. The Turtles’ wins have come against the bottom two sides (two wins against each team), with their best win of the season coming against Reservoir.
It would be a great achievement for the team to travel up the highway and get a win. They will feel confident after getting the job done against the Bloods last weekend. A win would see them level on wins with the Blues, albeit still behind on percentage.
Kilmore pulled off a wonderful comeback victory at Heidelberg Park last weekend and will be brimming with confidence back on the home deck. That win kept their slim finals chances alive. If games go according to ladder position, they will be one of three teams in spots five to seven with seven wins. The big problem is that their percentage is so far behind that of Watsonia that they will need an extra win to overtake them.
A win here may set up a great game the following week at Binnak Park against the Saints. But they need to get the four points this weekend for it to be relevant.
The last two matches hold great significance to positions three, four and five on the table.
Laurimar and Reservoir meet at Laurimar Reserve. While the Power is safe in second spot, the Mustangs will be desperate for a win as they endeavour to bridge the gap between themselves and third placed Mernda.
As well as the significance of ladder positions, a win would show how far the team has come this season. Back in Round 6, Reservoir went down to Laurimar at Crispe Park to the tune of 42 points. They had lost four of five in that period but have now won six of their past seven games.
The Power have won six straight since the bye and have been in terrific form. It would be hard to tip against them and they would be aiming to keep their winning streak going as the Ivanhoe match-up approaches.
A big crowd is sure to come along to watch Patrick Fitzgerald up one end and Aaron Edwards at the other. The high-quality midfields of both teams will be looking to win the battle and give their key forwards silver service.
Mernda and Watsonia have a crucial match-up at Waterview Reserve. A win by the Demons will go a long way towards sewing up third spot. If they follow this up with a win over Lalor, third spot could be safe prior to the final round.
It is a similar assignment for the Saints. If they can cause what would be seen as a minor upset coming off their bye, then a spot in the finals is a step closer to being locked away. That may lead to needing a win over Kinglake in the final round of the year to secure fifth place.
Given that Mernda won by a narrow six points over Watsonia back in Round 4, a close contest is a distinct possibility.
