The logjam for spots in the Peter Jackson VFL top four is no clearer after Saturday’s Round 14 matches, with Essendon, Sandringham and the Casey Scorpions all presenting their cases for a double chance come finals time.
The Bombers are currently in the top four after accounting for North Ballarat, just ahead of Casey on percentage following the Scorpions’ victory over the Northern Blues. But Footscray has the chance to further muddy the waters tomorrow against Geelong, as a win will send the Bulldogs back above both teams.
Meanwhile, the Zebras have joined Williamstown and Box Hill at the top of the table, with Sandringham’s triumph over Werribee drawing them even on nine wins with the Seagulls and Hawks.
ESSENDON 15.5 (95) d NORTH BALLARAT 11.7 (73)
Win/loss: Essendon 8-4 / North Ballarat 3-10
Telling facts: The Bombers are currently in the top four after blowing the Roosters away with a scintillating seven-goal-to-one opening term at Windy Hill. North Ballarat fought back well from a 49-point half-time deficit, but the damage had already been done in a first quarter that even featured the Roosters being penalised for requesting a head count of Essendon’s players after the umpires could not prove there were more than 18 Bombers on the field.
Leading goalkickers: Hardingham 4, Thompson 3 (Essendon) / Nahas 3 (North Ballarat)
CLICK HERE to watch the full replay of Essendon vs North Ballarat after 8pm tonight.
SANDRINGHAM 12.15 (87) d WERRIBEE 11.9 (75)
Win/loss: Sandringham 9-4 / Werribee 7-6
Telling facts: In a crucial clash between two top-eight teams at Avalon Airport Oval, an inspired final term secured the Zebras another close victory. The Tigers went eight points up shortly after three-quarter time but that only sparked Sandringham, with two Ahmed Saad goals in the last quarter helping to draw his team even on wins at the top of the ladder.
Leading goalkickers: Murdoch 2, Saad 2 (Sandringham) / Porter 2, Iles 2, Munro 2 (Werribee)
CASEY SCORPIONS 15.15 (105) d NORTHERN BLUES 9.4 (58)
Win/loss: Casey 8-4 / Northern 4-9
Telling facts: The Scorpions thrust themselves into serious top-four contention by recording their eighth win of the season against the Blues at Ikon Park. A dogged Northern wouldn’t go away throughout the first half, but two Casey goals in the shadows of half time opened up a decisive 22-point advantage which the Blues wouldn’t recover from.
Leading goalkickers: Hunt 4, Jamar 3 (Casey) / Jaksch 2, Johnson 2, Jones 2 (Northern)
CLICK HERE for the best players, goal kickers and quarter by quarter scores
CLICK HERE for the updated ladder
SUNDAY GAMES
Geelong v Footscray (Channel 7)
Frankston v Collingwood (Casey Radio)
Coburg v Box Hill Hawks (3WBC)
Richmond v Port Melbourne
Last Modified on 19/07/2015 09:54
