Completing Round 17 action today, winners were Port Melbourne, Footscray and North Ballarat.
While the Footscray game was one sided against Bendigo, the other two matches went right down to the final term with finals spots on the line.
The task for Werribee to finish in the final four was made difficult as Port Melbourne went a step closer to securing a top two finish, and North Ballarat went a game and a half clear inside the eight with three rounds remaining.
We take a look at the Round 17 Sunday games in the Sunday night wrap:
Bulldogs shoot to second
Footscray was at its destructive best today, completing its second 100 point mauling of Bendigo for the season, this time to the tune of 131 points. After winning by 166 points in Round 4 against the Gold, the Bulldogs were eying another percentage boaster to try and consolidate their spot in the top four at the end of the season.
Leading by 19 points at quarter time, the Bulldogs had added their fifth major early in the second term before Bendigo scored its only goal of the game to Steve Stroobants. From that point on Footscray was unstoppable as they went on to kick 17 unanswered goals, with the Gold only able to add another eight behinds for the game – a 10 goal third term the highlights for the rampaging Bulldogs.
Jordan Russell (26 disposals) and Alex Greenwood (25) were both busy for the home team, as they had winners on every line.
Liam Jones had four goals to half time, and was joined by Ayce Cordy and Jarred Grant with four each as well by games end, as Bendigo had no answers for the home teams’ tall timber.
Among the best for Footscray were Tom Young (25 disposals), Daniel Giansiracusa (27) and Lin Jong (19).
Stroobants led the way for Bendigo, along with Jackson Sketcher and Brandon Hayes.
Two games clear now for Port
Port Melbourne is two games clear on top of the VFL Baileys Ladder ladder after a 24-point win over Werribee Tigers. After an even first half, Port took control in second and despite a final term challenge from the Tigers, were able to kick away to lock in a top four finish for the season.
Port Melbourne made the perfect start to the game with the first three goals - two of those to Adrian Bonaddio - to jump out to a 17 point lead.
Werribee fought back quickly to make it a contest, adding their first 22 minutes into the term to Ben Brown, before adding another three unanswered goals to lead by nine points at quarter time.
Tom Langford grabbed the lead for a Port early in the second term, but Werribee wrestled it back as remainder of the term went goal for goal, with nothing separated the sides at half time.
Werribee could not buy a goal in third term, kicking seven behinds to Port's three majors as Dan Connors added his name to the multiple goal kickers with two.
Mason Wood added his third for Werribee to open the final term to close within nine points, but Sam O'Sullivan provided Port with breathing space needed as the Borough went on to win by four goals.
The strength for Port Melbourne continues to be its multiple avenues to goal, with six players kicking two goals with Bonaddio, Toby Pinwill, Lachlan Waddell, S.O’Sullivan, Langford and Connors. James Magner was best in the middle for Port with 30 disposals, along with Toby Pinwill (28) and Waddell.
Wood finished with three for Werribee, and was among the best with Michael Sodomaco, Taylor Hine and Jake Sharp.
Roosters step closer to finals
North Ballarat moved to sixth spot on the VFL ladder with a hard fought 26-point win over Coburg. The Roosters were unable to shake the Lions for three quarters, but burst away with four goals to one in the final term to go a step closer to returning to the VFL Legendairy Final action in 2014, going a game and a half clear inside the top eight.
Five points separated the sides at quarter time, with inaccuracy hampering the Roosters with only three goals from their eight scoring shots.
Like they did in the early stages of the game, Coburg got out to a 12 point lead early in the second term, with Lech Featherstone adding his second to go to the top of the VFL goal kicking ladder. Two late goals to North Ballarat gave them a two point lead at half time with Nick Couch adding two first half goals for the Roosters.
A goal for goal third term set it up for a thrilling final stanza, as the Roosters were unable to break clear any more than 10 points and held a slender four point lead going into the final quarter.
The Rooster however broke open the game early in the final term, kicking the first three goals to race out to a 27-point lead with five multiple goal kickers for the afternoon. Half way through the term Coburg clawed the margin back to 21 points but it was to be their final goal of the game.
Trent Dumont (35 disposals) continued his good recent form with three goals to be named among the best for North Ballarat, along with Max Warren (28) and Lachlan George.
The Nathan’s in Thomas (two goals & 25 disposals) and Blair led the way for Coburg, along with Cody Mance and Dan Venditti (26).
CLICK HERE for the Round 17 results, with best and goals
CLICK HERE for the updated Round 17 ladder
Last Modified on 03/08/2014 18:14