EFL Media’s Matt Fotia previews all the weekend’s action in Division 3. Make sure you get involved this weekend by Tweeting us, @footyefl using the #EFLDIV3 hashtag.
The Basin (9th, 5-8, L L L) v Boronia (4th , 8-4-1, W L W)
A tough month or so for the Bears looks to be getting even tougher as they come up against a buoyant Boronia side. Their slow start against Ringwood last week was just the beginning of it, as the Bears lost all four quarters in a fair convincingly loss. Jayden Brown and Lachlan Cripps have been shining lights during this lean period, with the back -man Brown performing consistently well for repeated weeks now, whilst Cripps has been the Bears best player over the past fortnight. The Hawks will be pleased with their recent wins over Templestowe and Ferntree Gully last week, but the smile on their faces would’ve been a whole lot bigger if they hadn’t dropped a game in between to Scoresby. If they had beaten the Magpies they would be sitting two points clear in second, alas they’re 4th.
Ryan Henderson has been massive in recent weeks for the Tormore Reserve residents. Best on ground against the Pies and Dockers, he continued his strong performances last week in their tight win over the Gully.
The midfield unit of Boronia have been able to give Jacob Paterson the best chance up forward, and it shows in his form. The forward has snagged 13 goals in the past month. LAST TIME: Boronia 11.10.76 def The Basin 9.7.61 Henderson was a good performer as Boronia held out in a tight one.
Park Orchards (1st , 10-3, W L W ) v Scoresby (7th , 8-5 , W W W)
A game clear on top of the ladder in an extremely tight Division 3, the Sharks have continued to impress this season , their only recent slip up coming against an in form and highly talented Templestowe outfit, by just a solitary point.
Down back and in the ruck, Josh Chappell and his samurai haircut give 100% week in week out for the Sharks, despite often giving away centimetres to his opponents. In his first full year out of the under 19s Josh has found himself in the best 3 times in the last month of footy, his strong form is not only a positive for the Sharks in 2017, but 2018 and beyond as well.
Nathan Wiggins has also been building strongly, not only was he good in their comfortable win against the Saints , he was also one of their better plays in the nail biter against the Dockers. He could be one to watch for the Magpies. Expected wins against Warrandyte and East Burwood either side of an important win against Boronia sees the Pies just percentage out of the top 5 and a win outside the top 3.
Nathan Hicks has been potent up forward as of late for Scoresby, currently on 20 goals for the season from just 9 games this season. Hicks was kept to just one goal last weekend, but given he kicked 11 in the previous three weeks, it’s tough to see him being kept quiet two weeks in a row. Wade McCommon has been another in form Magpie. Best on ground against Warrandyte, a good performance to accompany his goal against Boronia lead into his best performance of recent times in a nervous one versus the Rams last weekend. Will look to complete chugging along this weekend.
LAST TIME: Scoresby 5.13.43 def by Park Orchards 7.8.50 Chappell the best Shark, Wiggins next best. You’ve been warned, Magpies.
East Burwood (12th, 0-12-1, L L L ) v Templestowe ( 3rd , 9-4 , L W W )
The Dockers slow start to the season seems forever ago. They’ve won 5 out of their last 6 including impressive wins over fellow top 5 contenders Scoresby, Park Orchards and Heathmont. Matthew Mariani is no stranger to winning nor good form. The Docker kicked 3 last week to take his season tally to 22. After nabbing 2 against Boronia and 4 against South Belgrave, both part of best on ground performances, Mariani looks ominous for the Rams this weekend.
Oliver Lodge is also in fine touch for the Dockers. Averaging around a goal a game, he was their best player in that nail biter against the Sharks and backed it up last weekend against the Jets.
It seems to be almost too late for the Rams despite their improved performances over the past few weeks. However it is also plain to see they’re much stronger at home, so this could be yet another chance for them to steal an all-important win.
The inclusion of Damian Cupido is on everybody is aware of. He has been synonymous with their recent upturn in form, with 12 goals in his four games, it’s no doubt that Templestowe will have something in store for the Ex Don/Lion. LAST TIME: Templestowe 14.16.100 def East Burwood 3.5.23 Lodge 3, Mariani brothers go one-two for best on.
Chirnside Park ( 8th , 6-7 , W W W ) v Heathmont (5th , 8-5 , W L L )
The Panthers sit two games outside the top five and if they are any chance of sneaking in they’ll have to continue their current form right to the end of the season. This week presents another crucial game, as a win against the Jets could see them close the gap on the top seven, with Ringwood playing Ferntree Gully and Park Orchards playing Scoresby. Despite nearing the end of his illustrious EFL career, the ever-green Michael King remains a consistent goal threat. 41 majors for the season and 11 in the past three weeks shows that he is still at his crafty best and will be a handful for the Jets’ defence.
One of the early pace setters, Heathmont have fallen off the wagon recently, having lost three of their last five. If this game is crucial for Chirnside to bring themselves back into the mix, then it’s a massive opening for the Jets to solidify their place. Key back man Dylan Sverns has stood tall in this testing time for his side. He was the Jets best in their loss to the Dockers and amongst their best in recent games against Ringwood and South Belgrave. He will need a bit of help however as King and Co are nippy at ground level.
LAST TIME: Heathmont 11.6.72 def Chirnside Park 7.8.50
King nabbed 3, but a strong all-round game from Jarrod Spurrell who kicked 5 helped the Jets outlast the Panthers.
South Belgrave (10th, 4-9, L W L ) v Warrandyte ( 11th , 2-11 , L L L )
The Saints will have one eye firmly on 2018, with the almost assured safety in their status as a Division 3 club for next season. Upgrades to their facility will only help their recruiting power. Of the current crop there is still plenty to like. Ricardo Daraio is one of those. Well-built for a mid -sized player, he is versatile and can fill holes up and down the field, despite usually being deployed down back. He was the Saints best against the Sharks, following strong games against The Basin and Heathmont.
Despite feeling pretty confident of maintaining a Division 3 place next season, the Bloods would really love a win to ease the tension. They came so close last week against Chirnside and will be hopeful as they head up the mountain on Saturday. If they are a chance to win, they’ll need Tom Appleby to keep doing what he’s doing. Best on last week, a vote puller the week before and best on again a fortnight ago. He is someone the Bloods can follow the example of. LAST TIME: Warrandyte 6.5.41 def by South Belgrave 14.10.94 The Saints gradually pulled away, with Piva Wright and Alex Bakens kicking 4 each for the Saints.
Ringwood (2nd, 9-4 , W W W ) v Ferntree Gully ( 6th, 8-5, L W L )
The Redbacks are the form team of the competition. Depth in the midfield, an ominous forward line which continues to pile on big scores, they’ll be feeling confident going into the weekend. No one would be more confident then Trent Farmer. 54 goals in 13 appearances, 10 times in the best players , he was uncharacteristically quiet last week with just one goal. Just for contrast his previous 5 games have seen 22 goals, including a goalless game against the Sharks. The Eagles should be wary of the sleeping giant.
When they made the jump up to this season the Eagles probably would’ve taken being 8-5 at this stage of the year. However after their start to the season they may be a little downtrodden considering their last month. Last week’s loss to Boronia definitely would’ve hurt the group. Returning to footy this season, and seemingly without missing a beat has been Michael Topp. The tall mobile defender has been key in allowing the Gully to rebound, with his ability to read the play and peel off his man. If you need further evidence of Topp’s consistency, he has appeared in Ferntree Gully’s best every week bar one, since the 27th of May.
LAST TIME: Ferntree Gully 9.13.67 def by Ringwood 14.11.95 Trent Farmer bagged 5. If he gets off the leash early this time round, Topp may have to change to a more accountable role and go to him.