Only one team currently outside the Peter Jackson VFL top eight can now realistically snatch a finals spot after wins to the Box Hill Hawks, Footscray, North Ballarat and Williamstown on Saturday.
With Geelong losing to Box Hill and Port Melbourne defeated by Footscray in heartbreaking circumstances, the Cats and the Borough have effectively been eliminated from finals contention.
They are among four teams that are two wins behind the eighth-placed Casey Scorpions – who were unable to sew up a finals berth against Williamstown – but three of the chasing teams have poor percentages relative to the Scorpions and are therefore highly unlikely to displace them in the eight.
The Seagulls’ victory means Coburg is the only team still with a realistic shot of making September, but the Lions need to win every game and hope Casey loses its remaining matches to achieve it.
Meanwhile, Collingwood’s top-four hopes took a hit as the Magpies gave up a big lead to go down to an inspired North Ballarat outfit.
BOX HILL HAWKS 19.7 (121) d GEELONG 10.11 (71)
Win/loss: Box Hill Hawks 13-3 / Geelong 6-10
Telling facts: The Hawks all but ended Geelong’s hopes of making the finals with a dominant 13-goal-to-five second half at Simonds Stadium. The Cats hit the front shortly after half time, but a burst of four unanswered majors in reply – including two to Shem Tatupu (pictured) and one to five-goal senior debutant Christopher Jones – set up Box Hill’s crucial break.
Leading goalkickers: Grimley 6, Jones 5, Tatupu 4, Anderson 3 (Box Hill Hawks) / Menzel 3 (Geelong)
FOOTSCRAY 12.12 (84) d PORT MELBOURNE 12.9 (81)
Win/loss: Footscray 11-5 / Port Melbourne 6-10
Telling facts: Tom Boyd’s fifth goal with about a minute to play in the match edged the Bulldogs in front and effectively ended the Borough’s finals hopes at VU Whitten Oval. Port led by 11 points midway through a thrilling final term, but continued a recent trend of fading out of games late by allowing Footscray to run over the top and consolidate its spot in the top four by moving a game clear of fifth position.
Leading goalkickers: T.Boyd 5 (Footscray) / Lisle 3 (Port Melbourne)
NORTH BALLARAT 17.15 (117) d COLLINGWOOD 17.7 (109)
Win/loss: North Ballarat 7-10 / Collingwood 10-6
Telling facts: The Roosters are one of the form teams of the competition, notching their fourth straight victory by steamrolling the Magpies at their Victoria Park fortress. Collingwood hadn’t lost a home-and-away game at the iconic venue since Round 11 last season, but North Ballarat recovered from a 25-point deficit at the final change to continue its send-off of coach Gerard FitzGerald in style.
Leading goalkickers: Hooper 5, Couch 4 (North Ballarat) / White 3 (Collingwood)
WILLIAMSTOWN 14.12 (96) d CASEY SCORPIONS 12.7 (79)
Win/loss: Williamstown 12-4 / Casey Scorpions 8-8
Telling facts: The Scorpions continue to leave the door ajar for a contender to snatch their eighth spot in the finals, falling short of the Seagulls at Casey Fields. Casey took it up to a more fancied opponent, kicking five unanswered goals either side of three-quarter time to lead by seven points early in the last term, but the class of Williamstown shone through when it mattered.
Leading goalkickers: Dunell 5 (Williamstown) / Fitzpatrick 4, Page 3 (Casey Scorpions)
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* Photo: Arj Giese
Sunday's matches:
Richmond vs Coburg (ME Bank Centre)
Frankston vs Essendon (Frankston Oval)
Northern Blues vs Sandringham (Ikon Park)
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Last Modified on 15/08/2015 18:46