By RHYS WOOSNAM - Division 3 Seniors
THE penultimate round of the 2017 season delivered a huge upset which has left the last spot in finals up for grabs heading into the closing weekend of the regular season.
With their premiership aspirations on the line, clinching to fourth spot on the ladder, Sunshine Heights crumbled against Sanctuary Lakes.
The Sharks, who had won just two games for the year, dominated from start to finish, running out winners by 32-points. For Sanctuary Lakes, Liam Henderson kicked five while Kieran Corrigan and Luke Henderson booted two majors.
The defeat comes at a massive cost to Sunshine Heights, as they have opened the door for neighbours North Sunshine to steal the last slot in finals. The Roadrunners are just two points behind in fifth, and will be heading into round 18 off the back of a tight victory against Laverton.
North Sunshine were challenged for all four quarters against probable wooden spooners Laverton, but were able to take the points by a touch under two goals.
The Roadrunners looked like breaking the game open, holding a 22-point lead at the half, however Laverton battled bravely to give the travelling team a hard day at the office. Troy Smith kicked four goals for North Sunshine, taking his tally to 27 in 15 matches.
If the Roadrunners want to clinch a surprise finals berth, they will have to pull off a miraculous win against the flag favourites Parkside. Having lost just a single match in 2017, it seems very unlikely that Parkside will roll over and grant North Sunshine access to a tilt at the premiership. Although, if they start the way they did against the Wyndham Suns, the result could differ.
Parkside had to come from behind against the Suns, after an incredibly inaccurate first half.
The ladder-leaders kicked a shocking two goals and 11 behinds to trail by five points at the main break. The Suns extended their lead to 16 at three quarter time, with Parkside continuing to miss their chances.
The final quarter was a complete reversal of form however, as Parkside peppered the goals. They had 14 scoring shots to just one, blasting their opponents off the park and winning by 32 points. It’s scary to witness how quickly Parkside can switch gears and tear sides apart.
The question must be asked, as we head into the finals, who can stop Parkside?
LIKELY RESERVES FINALS FIXTURE LOCKED IN
By BEN CARDWELL - Division 3 Reserves
WITH just one week remaining in the home and away season of the Division 3 reserves, the ladder has taken a likely shape and the finals fixture are all but locked in.
Parkside’s strong 65-point win over third-placed Wyndham means they’re practically assured the minor premiership. The Magpies led by just four-points after the first quarter, but allowed Wyndham to kick just two goals for the rest of the game while booting 11 themselves.
Parkside’s form throughout the whole season has been a cut above the rest of the competition, and they’ll go into the finals as solid favourites.
The other major contenders, Tarneit, boosted their percentage and stayed solidly in second place with a commanding 127-point win over Braybrook.
Tarneit forward Samuel Ingham had a day out, kicking a bag of five goals. It wasn’t just Ingham that shined forward for the Titans though, with Thomas Anderson and Reece Frost kicking three and four goals respectively.
In stark contrast, North Sunshine’s game in Laverton saw the Roadrunners notch a close two-point victory, holding on in the last term to sink the Magpies.
Sunshine held a close lead at every break, but a sensational five goal effort from Chris Lane got them over the line.
Another two-point win finished off the round at Ainsworth Reserve, with Sanctuary Lakes closing out Sunshine Heights.
The Dragons had a small three-point lead going into the final term, but the Sharks did enough to secure a close win on the road. Heights are assured of finals contention in fourth place, but Sanctuary Lakes will be disappointed this form didn’t arrive earlier, when they could still push for that spot themselves.
Barring a percentage-based anomaly, the first round of the finals should see favourites Parkside and Tarneit battle for a week off and a trip straight to the Grand Final, while Wyndham and finals underdogs Sunshine Heights will play off in an elimination final.
The winner of the second game will then play the loser of the first for the other spot in the Grand Final in the second week.
Last Modified on 14/08/2017 15:47