NFL 2018: The 10 matches which shaped the Division 1 season
WHICH 10 games have shaped the Northern Football League Division 1 season the most? We’ve recalled the nailbiters and crucial wins which could ultimately determine the top five.
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VERY few local football competitions boast the overall competitiveness of Northern Football League Division 1.
Until the last few weeks, eight teams have held legitimate hope of claiming a finals berth and the top five was only settled in Round 17.
Macleod have been the pacesetter for so much of the season, but North Heidelberg, West Preston-Lakeside, Greensborough and Bundoora will be part of what shapes as a gripping finals series.
Here are the 10 games which shaped the Northern Football League Division 1 season:
1. North Heidelberg 13.10 (88) def Macleod 10.9 (69). Round 1.
The first sign we should take North Heidelberg seriously as a premiership contender. It was difficult to say after only one week whether the promoted Division 2 premier was the real deal, but defeating last year’s Division 1 runner-up was some statement. Brent Harvey kicked four goals, Michael Florance was best afield and the Bulldogs came from five points down at three-quarter-time to prevail by 19 points.
2. Montmorency 23.9 (147) def Bundoora 8.13 (61). Round 3.
Bundoora started its premiership defence with a convincing win over Northcote Park but would drop its next three matches, including this 86-point defeat to Montmorency. The Magpies have been cruelled by injuries to key players since, but this result makes you wonder whether they would have been a flag threat at full strength. The ever-consistent Patrick Fitzgerald put Bundoora to the sword with eight goals and the Bulls took some time to recover their top-five spot.
3. Macleod 13.16 (94) def Greensborough 13.5 (83). Round 6.
Macleod and Greensborough were top of the Division 1 ladder after five rounds and considered two of the top flag contenders. The Roos stormed home from 26 points down with 30 minutes on the clock to record a famous win and claim flag favouritism for another year. The margin should have been greater in the end, with Macleod booting 5.7 in the last quarter as it dominated proceedings at DeWinton Park.
4. North Heidelberg 11.10 (76) def West Preston-Lakeside 9.13 (67). Round 11.
At 5-5, North Heidelberg was equal with four other teams on the ladder after 10 rounds and found itself seventh on the ladder. While a loss would not have proven catastrophic, the Bulldogs faced playing catch-up unless they could topple the second-placed Roosters. Shane Harvey’s goal at the 19-minute mark of the last term sealed what has become part of a series of nine consecutive wins, confirming North Heidelberg’s finals place. Liam Hunt produced one of his best games since arriving at Shelley Reserve from VFL club Coburg.
5. Bundoora 14.8 (92) def West Preston-Lakeside 10.12 (72). Round 12.
Bundoora was back in the mix for a finals berth by Round 11 but was one of five sides tied on 6-5. West Preston-Lakeside was sitting third on the ladder, one spot ahead of Bundoora, when the Bulls prevailed by 20 points at Yulong Reserve. The Bulls kicked five goals to two in the last quarter as one of Nathan Thomas’ best games in blue and white inspired them to a much-needed victory.
6. Whittlesea 13.9 (87) def Montmorency 10.17 (77). Round 13.
Whittlesea triumphed in its opening game of 2018 but had lost 11 matches in a row when it travelled to Montmorency in Round 13. Still trailing Hurstbridge by a game and percentage, opportunities to close the gap were running out for the Eagles as they fought to retain their Division 1 status for another year. Whittlesea got the jump on Montmorency to lead by 22 points at quarter-time and while the Magpies had enough chances to overcome the deficit, the determined Eagles held on. Without this win, they’d already be planning to play Division 2 in 2019.
7. West Preston-Lakeside 15.15 (105) def Macleod 13.11 (89). Round 14.
Macleod had looked unbeatable since its opening-round defeat to North Heidelberg until it ran into West Preston-Lakeside. Ahmed Saad bagged five goals as the Roosters confirmed themselves as a serious premiership contender with a 16-point win at Dewinton Park, kicking six goals to two in the last term to overturn a three-quarter-time deficit. West Preston would have found it very difficult to claim a top-three finish without this victory.
8. Greensborough 12.9 (81) def Heidelberg 11.12 (78). Round 15.
This will be the loss Heidelberg ultimately rues the most. The Tigers were in front against Greensborough with less than 10 seconds on the clock before Andrew Stellas goaled to earn the Boro a nailbiting victory. Greensborough had led all day until Heidelberg rallied in the last quarter, but the Boro ultimately had the final say through Stellas. There might only be one game between finalists Greensborough and Bundoora and sixth-placed Heidelberg at the end of the season. This could be it.
9. North Heidelberg 11.15 (81) def Greensborough 11.8 (74). Round 16.
Second against third and the likelihood was whichever team triumphed would seal a double chance. It has proved to be the case, with the Bulldogs’ seven-point win helping propel them to second spot on the Division 1 ladder. The Boro have dropped their past two games and will face an elimination final against Bundoora, while North Heidelberg is planning for a qualifying final against West Preston-Lakeside.
10. Bundoora 12.18 (90) def Greensborough 10.13 (73). Round 17.
The result which sealed the top five with one round still to play. Macleod easily accounted for Heidelberg in the penultimate round of the home-and-away season, opening the door for reigning premier Bundoora to guarantee itself another crack at Preston City Oval. The Bulls staged a stunning rally from two goals down at the last break, kicking six goals to two as veteran Gary Moorcroft bagged four majors in a 17-point win. These teams will meet again in an elimination final.
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