By RHYS WOOSNAM - Division 3 Reserves
As we draw closer and closer to finals action, the top teams are beginning to make a statement about their premiership chances, and Tarneit made the biggest impact this round.
They solidified their credentials with a thumping victory over North Sunshine. The 176-point annihilation was a direct message to current leaders Parkside that they need to watch their backs in the coming weeks.
Winning by such a large margin leaves Tarneit in a favourable position to jump above Parkside, as they have a superior percentage.
Next week they play Sunshine Heights and with the Magpies scheduled for a bye, we’re odds on to have a new ladder-leader by the end of the round.
The victory itself was highlighted by a few terrific performances up forward.
Samuel Ingham kicked a bag of seven to take the lead in the goal kicking table and he was supported by Troy Whiting (six) and Reece Frost (four) as Tarneit displayed a multi-pronged attack that will be difficult to contend with come finals.
On the other side of the draw, North Sunshine have an excellent chance to recover from their massive loss as they play cellar dwellers Braybrook.
The Roadrunners are not likely to be able to make finals at this point, but will be hoping to avoid the embarrassment of the wooden spoon in 2016.
Parkside held on to top spot in the league with a relatively comfortable 51-point win over Laverton.
They were challenged early in the encounter, with Laverton ahead by a point at quarter-time, however they managed to reverse the momentum, kicking 10 goals to just three afterwards.
Laverton currently sit seventh on the ladder, but face a chase between them and the finals contenders, as they are three games behind the sixth-placed Sunshine Heights. They will take on the Wyndham Suns in Round 13 and must win in order to keep in touch.
Elsewhere it was the Suns themselves that registered their 10th win for 2016, besting Sunshine Heights by seven goals. The win leaves them in third place and right in contention for an important double chance during the finals period.
For the Suns, Christopher Neville booted five goals and the team was never truly challenged by their opponents who face the might of Tarneit next week.
Last Modified on 12/07/2016 12:09