The top nine teams on the Peter Jackson VFL ladder have opened up a two-game gap on those below them after five Round 12 matches were played on a dark and wintry Melbourne Saturday.
Footscray’s big victory over the Northern Blues and the Casey Scorpions’ triumph over Geelong means the teams from 10th to 15th (Northern, Geelong, Coburg, North Ballarat, Richmond and Frankston) face an uphill battle to see finals action in 2015.
At the top end of the table, powerhouses Box Hill and Williamstown recorded strong victories at home over Frankston and Essendon respectively, while Collingwood kept a strong recent record at Victoria Park going with a tight win against Sandringham.
WILLIAMSTOWN 20.8 (128) d ESSENDON 13.6 (84)
Win/loss: Williamstown 8-3 / Essendon 7-4
Telling facts: A sloppy, windy Burbank Oval greeted the Seagulls and Bombers for a high-powered 2nd vs 3rd clash. Despite owning the ball in the second quarter, Essendon only led by 12 points at half time, leaving the door open for Willy to slam through nine majors in a dominant third term and end the Dons’ five-match winning run.
Leading goalkickers: Dunell 3 (Williamstown) / McKenna 3 (Essendon)
COLLINGWOOD 11.12 (78) d SANDRINGHAM 10.8 (68)
Win/loss: Collingwood 7-3 / Sandringham 7-4
Telling facts: Collingwood produced its second consecutive triumph over a top-four team following a gritty defeat of Box Hill last week. This time the Zebras were prey for the Magpies, who had to hold strong in the final term as Sandy rallied from 29 points down at the last break. The win keeps the Pies undefeated at Victoria Park in 2015.
Leading goalkickers: Abbott 3, Karnezis 2 (Collingwood) / McCartin 2 (Sandringham)
BOX HILL HAWKS 15.12 (102) d FRANKSTON 5.7 (37)
Win/loss: Box Hill Hawks 8-2 / Frankston 0-11
Telling facts: In a match-up between first and last on the ladder, the Hawks ensured the Dolphins wouldn’t pull off a miraculous upset at Box Hill City Oval by blowing them out of the water early. A four-goal-to-nil first term set the tone for the day as Box Hill quickly recovered from last week’s tight loss to Collingwood.
Leading goalkickers: Woodward 3 (Box Hill Hawks) / all singles (Frankston)
CASEY SCORPIONS 14.9 (93) d GEELONG 6.9 (45)
Win/loss: Casey Scorpions 6-4 / Geelong 4-6
Telling facts: A dark day at Casey Fields was made darker for Geelong by the Scorpions helping to put two games between the top nine teams on the ladder and 10th position (the Cats are now 11th). A slow start doomed the visitors, as Casey sprinted from the blocks with five goals to nil in the first quarter to set up the win.
Leading goalkickers: Hunt 3, Papley 3 (Casey Scorpions) / all singles (Geelong)
FOOTSCRAY 21.15 (141) d NORTHERN BLUES 5.8 (38)
Win/loss: Footscray 6-4 / Northern Blues 4-7
Telling facts: After dishing out a hiding to Frankston last round, the Blues were on the receiving end of one this week at VU Whitten Oval. The Bulldogs helped boost an already strong percentage by exploding with eight goals to two in the second term. Like Geelong, Northern is now two games adrift of ninth on the ladder.
Leading goalkickers: Hayes 4, Hrovat 3, Hunter 3 (Footscray) / Foster 2 (Northern Blues)
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SUNDAY GAMES
North Ballarat v Richmond (Casey Radio)
Werribee v Coburg (VFL Live video stream)
Last Modified on 04/07/2015 18:16