The ladder is starting to take shape after today’s three Peter Jackson VFL Round 15 games, with wins to Geelong, Essendon and Northern Blues.
Wins to the Cats and Bombers means a two game gap has been created between eighth and ninth on the ladder, with Box Hill Hawks, Coburg (play Sunday) and Northern Blues set a big task over the remaining six rounds of the season to close the gap.
While Geelong and Northern Blues controlled their games today, Box Hill Hawks let slip a final term lead to see a crucial four points go begging with Essendon snatching the win with seconds to spare – despite seven less scoring shots - in a game that may have decided the top eight teams for 2016.
Let’s look at the Saturday Round 15 matches and the main talking points.
* CLICK HERE to read the recap of Sunday's Round 15 action.
GEELONG 25.16 (166) d WERRIBEE 8.7 (55)
Streak: Geelong – L W W W W / Werribee – L L L L L
Telling facts: Geelong were relentless against Werribee, kicking their biggest score of the season against the Tigers. A 13 goal unanswered run from the end of the first term to midway through the third quarter set up the win. It was the Cats fourth win on the trot and Werribee’s seventh straight loss – all but closing the door on finals for the Tigers with six games remaining.
Goalkickers: Lang, Hayball 4, Atkins 3, Luxford, Menegola 2 (Geelong) / Porter 2 (Werribee)
*Full replay online after 8pm tonight HERE
ESSENDON 15.5 (95) d BOX HILL HAWKS 13.14 (92)
Streak: Box Hill Hawks – L L L L L / Essendon – L W L W W
Telling facts: A Jason Ashby goal seconds before the final siren has given Essendon a last gasp win over Box Hill Hawks. The Bombers led for less than 5 minutes in total all game, chasing down a 14-point Hawks lead midway through the final quarter with a five-goal to three final term. A fifth loss in a row for the Hawks means an eighth straight finals appearance is in jeopardy. (See final 5 minutes of the clash below)
Goalkickers: Dobson 5, J.Langford, Edwards 2 (Essendon) / O’Brien 3, Brolic, W.Langford, Hardwick 2 (Box Hill Hawks)
NORTHERN BLUES 17.10 (112) d NORTH BALLARAT 11.15 (81)
Streak: North Ballarat – L W L L L / Northern Blues – W L L L W
Telling facts: The Blues set the tone for the day early with the opening four goals of the game. Trailing all game, North Ballarat could only get within 18-points early in the final term before the Blues kicked clear to break a three game losing streak and move to 11th on ladder.
Goalkickers: S.Hooper, Cox 2 (North Ballarat) / Boekhorst, Wilson 3, Whiley, Kerbatieh, McKay 2, (Northern Blues)
CLICK HERE for the full results, best players and goalkickers
CLICK HERE for the updated ladder
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Photo: Arj Giese
Last Modified on 17/07/2016 17:44