Who needs AFL when you’ve got these great local games to choose from?
IF A Saturday twilight clash between Richmond and GWS doesn’t grab you, try a suburban footy fix this weekend. Local Footy has your guide to the best of the action.
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IF A Saturday twilight clash between Richmond and GWS does not take your fancy, you may be keen for a suburban footy fix this weekend. Local Footy has your guide to the best of the action to help you decide where to head.
EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Blackburn v Vermont, Morton Park, Blackburn (2.10pm)
THE standout game in the east is at Morton Park this Saturday, as local Division 1 rivals Blackburn and Vermont square-off. The two sides take identical 10-4 records into the match, and the winner will be in the box seat to claim the valuable double-chance come finals. Expect fireworks.
ESSENDON DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Avondale Heights v Strathmore, Canning Reserve, Maribyrnong, (2.15pm)
FINALS are just around the corner in the Essendon District Football League and this top-of-the-table clash will give us a taste of what we have to look forward to. Both teams have a 12-2 record heading to the match, Strathmore on top of the ladder only on percentage. The Heights had not been beaten until four weeks ago but have found themselves on shaky ground since. This match could just be the challenge they have been looking for to step up and once again show the competition who is boss. But Strathmore has barely put a foot wrong this season and you can bet it will not be taking a backwards step on this big stage.
RIDDELL DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Riddell v Rupertswood, Riddells Creek Reserve, Riddells Creek, (2pm)
PLENTY separated these two sides in 2013. Riddell took out the premiership. Rupertswood scraped into finals before falling at the first hurdle. Things are very different this season. The sides sit second and third on the ladder, both with 11 wins to their name heading into the final three rounds of the season. And if their last match — which Riddell won by a point in Round 3 — is anything to go by, not much will separate them again this weekend.
YARRA VALLEY MOUNTAIN DISTRICT LEAGUE
Wandin v Upwey Tecoma, Wandin Football Ground, (2.10pm)
ALL eyes will be on Wandin where an intriguing match of the round looms between the home side and a back-on-track Upwey Tecoma. The Dogs moved to top spot last week with a 51-point win over Monbulk and lead a logjam for top spots with percentage separating them from the Hawks, Tigers and Olinda Ferny Creek, with all four sides sporting 9-5 records. If Wandin’s Michael Fowkes doesn’t get you Kire Talevski will and the star sharpshooter was the difference last week with six goals. Switched forward, Upwey defender Dylan Sloane has been handy slotting seven goals in the past three rounds.
PENINSULA FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Frankston YCW v Edithvale-Aspendale, John Coburn Oval, Frankston (2pm)
A RED-HOT Frankston YCW takes a seven-game winning streak into its top-of-the-table clash with Edithvale-Aspendale. The ladder-leading Stonecats hold a one-game buffer over Edi-Asp and a win here would nearly stitch up the minor premiership for them. Edi-Asp, the reigning premiers, will relish the challenge of halting YCW’s hot streak. The Eagles are renowned for rising to the task in big games (they won the flag last season from fourth spot after holding their nerve, game after game). But Frankston YCW deserves to start favourites in this Round 15 game. The Stonecats gave Edi-Asp an 87-point spanking back in May. It was close early but YC bolted away on the back of a 10-goal final quarter as Ben Tellis, David Bodley, Ben Buckley, Kevin Lylak and co. ran rampant.
NEPEAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Red Hill v Rye, Red Hill Showgrounds, Red Hill, (2pm)
IT’S been quite a season already for Red Hill. Having put together an excellent 11-3 record, Tony Blackford’s Hillmen have already secured a finals berth, still with four rounds remaining. Not bad for the side that won only three games last year. Red Hill will look to continue its momentum when it hosts an emerging Rye, which has won three on end to consolidate fifth spot and, maybe, set up another finals campaign.
NORTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Heidelberg v Montmorency, Warringal Park, Heidelberg (2.10pm)
AT FIRST glance, a contest between first and sixth appears fairly lopsided. Ladder-leader Heidelberg has reason to fear Montmorency this weekend, with the Magpies having already beaten them once this campaign. Bryan Cole’s team has been getting closer to its best in recent weeks, winning three of their last four to stay in the finals race. Heidelberg deserves its spot at the top of the ladder and has far and away been the best defensive side this year. This one has all the billings of a classic.
BENDIGO FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Gisborne v Eaglehawk, Gardiner Reserve, Gisborne (2.20pm)
WITH its top-three spot all-but secured, Gisborne can dent Eaglehawk’s finals hopes with victory at home this weekend. The Dogs proved last year no finals side can be underestimated, winning through to a semi-final from fifth before being bundled out by this weekend’s opponent. Eaglehawk is in a two-team race for fifth, leading Kangaroo Flat on percentage. The Kangaroos host South Bendigo this weekend, emphasising the importance of the clash for Eaglehawk.
VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
University Blues v Old Carey, Melbourne University Oval, Parkville (2pm)
THE top-two sides in Premier B square off in a mouth-watering clash. Uni Blues (12-2) and Old Carey (10-4) and have lost just six games between them so far this season and it was the Blues who flexed their considerable muscle when the pair last met in Round 2, the ladder-leader powering to a 58-point victory away from home. The Blues have won 10 of their last 11, but Old Carey has also been in impressive touch, claiming victory in its past four games by an average margin of 13 goals.
WESTERN REGION FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Wyndham Vale v Parkside, Wyndham Vale South Oval, Wyndham Vale (2.15pm)
WITH no standout games in Division 1 this weekend, plenty of eyes will be fixed to the top-of-the-table clash Division 2 clash between Parkside and Wyndham Vale, which is set to be a belter. In what could be a qualifying final preview, more than just the result rides on this encounter. Just 10 points separated the pair at the Magpies’ home ground in Round 8, one of the Falcons’ two losses this season. Paul O’Shea booted eight that day, and if he manages to kick six this week, he’ll bring up the magic 100 at home in front of a huge crowd.
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