EFL Media’s Tim Fitzsimons previews all the action in Division 4. Make sure you get involved this weekend by using the #EFLDIV4 hashtag and tweeting us @footyefl.
DONVALE v GLEN WAVERLEY HAWKS
Glen Waverley’s biggest test in a tough three-week stretch comes this Saturday when the Hawks travel out to Donvale Reserve to take on the top of the table Magpies.
The Hawks season is quickly slipping away following convincing defeats to Forrest Hill and Coldstream in the past two weeks.
They are still in touch of the top four however, unless they can upset Donvale this week, their season may just be over.
It will be an enormous ask with Donvale the form side of the competition and have pushed clear in premiership favouritism.
The Magpies have won eight on the trot and now sit a game clear on top with a whopping 229.30%.
They have also put two finals aspirants in Coldstream and Whitehorse to the sword in their last two outings and if they are to do the same to Glen Waverley this week, it will be hard to see them get beaten for the rest of the season.
GLEN WAVERLEY HAWKS 13.13.91 def. DONVALE 11.8.74
The Hawks mustered up a gutsy win when these sides met in round seven in what happened to be Donvale’s most recent defeat.
Adam Amin booted five for the winners while James Rausa led the Magpies resistance.
KILSYTH v COLDSTREAM
The battle of the Cougars may be the most important match in the final three rounds to decide fourth spot with Kilsyth take on Coldstream at Pinks Reserve.
Both sides will be desperate to get the win with just two premiership points separating fourth placed Coldstream and fifth placed Kilsyth.
Kilsyth will be desperate to bounce back from their 26-point loss to Forrest Hill last week with a tough game against Donvale looming in the final round of the season.
Coldstream did just that last week by comprehensively taking care of the Glen Waverley Hawks to the tune of 56 points following a disappointing showing the previous week against Donvale.
With the home and away season coming into the final stretch, this Saturday’s game will be sure to shape the final top four.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
ROUND SEVEN
COLDSTREAM 20.8.128 def. KILSYTH 9.5.59
Coldstream were resounding winners earlier in the season with a dominant display, winning by 69 points.
An eight goal to zero second term set up the win with Michael Cardamone and Leigh Odermatt annihilating the Kilsyth defence with 13 goals between them.
SILVAN v FAIRPARK
Whilst the season may be over for both Silvan and Fairpark, both sides will be looking to finish the season off well and give themselves some confidence heading towards 2018.
The Cats past two weeks have been disappointing with two losses in excess of 90 points following a reasonable three week stretch before that where they registered a win along with a couple of respectable losses.
Fairpark have enjoyed a solid past two weeks, going down to top four contender Whitehorse by just four points before a 99-point win over Nunawading last Saturday.
With both sides looking ahead to the future, a strong showing will at least give their respective coaches something to work with going into next year’s pre-season.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
ROUND SEVEN
FAIRPARK 12.12.84 def. SILVAN 7.19.61
Inaccuracy came back to hurt Silvan back in round seven with the Cats squandering plenty of gettable chances in a 23-point defeat.
Nathan Smith was a clear standout for best on ground with his intercept marking in defence proving vital for the Lions.
Jarrod Rowe and Andrew Knight were Silvan’s best in defeat.
WHITEHORSE PIONEERS v NUNAWADING
The Pioneers are in desperate need of a big win and there will be no better opportunity than this week against Nunawading as they try to reignite their season.
Whitehorse’s top of the table clash with Donvale last week was a fizzer with the Pioneers extremely disappointing in the 92-point loss.
With their percentage taking a big hit, they will be eager to put in a big showing this Saturday against the winless Lions.
The end of the season is near after another long year for Nunawading and despite many improved performances, they are still yet to come close to registering a win.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
ROUND SEVEN
WHITEHORSE PIONEERS 24.20.164 def. NUNAWADING 4.6.30
Andrew Padbury enjoyed a day out in the Pioneers big win, kicking a bag of 14 to help Whitehorse to a 134-point win.
Nunawading’s standout for the day was Jordan Winter who helped himself to three majors.
SURREY PARK v FORREST HILL
Surrey Park’s extremely slim finals hopes ride on this weeks clash with Forrest Hill this Saturday at Surrey Park Reserve.
The Panthers have enjoyed a good run in the last few weeks against the bottom three sides, winning all three by an average margin of 89 points.
The run has meant they are still a faint chance to squeeze into fourth spot however with a tough run home, they may have left their run too late.
Forrest Hill has found themselves in the top two on the back of a three game winning streak.
Beating Surrey Park this week will go along way to securing the double chance with the Zebras likely to want to sew up second spot before having to face third placed Whitehorse in a final round encounter.
It was Forrest Hill getting the chocolates on their home deck in their earlier season clash, getting across the line by 16-points.
Austin Deneys enjoyed a best on ground performance for the Zebras while Bede Briscomb lead the way for Surrey Park.