NFL Division 1 2018: West Preston-Lakeside ends Macleod’s 12-match winning run to boost finals chances

WEST Preston-Lakeside showed it deserves to be in the Northern Football League premiership discussion by ending Macleod’s 12-match winning run on Saturday.

Jumping for joy: West Preston Lakeside's Ahmed saad and Aiden Tilley celebrate a goal against Macleod. Picture: Nathan McNeill.

WEST Preston-Lakeside showed it deserves to be in the Northern Football League premiership discussion by ending Macleod’s 12-match winning run on Saturday.

The Roosters came from nine points down at three-quarter-time to clinch a 15.15 (105) to 13.11 (89) victory at Dewinton Park, handing the Roos their first defeat since the opening round of 2018.

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“It definitely instils some belief in the group that we can match it with one of the pacesetters in the competition,” coach Rob Maiorana said.

“But at the end of the day it’s just another four points that we just need to keep banking.”

West Preston-Lakeside is a game clear of reigning premier Bundoora (sixth) with four rounds remaining in the home-and-away season.

Jumping for joy: West Preston Lakeside's Ahmed Saad and Aiden Tilley celebrate a goal against Macleod. Picture: Nathan McNeill.

Greensborough produced a 24-point win over Hurstbridge and North Heidelberg defeated Whittlesea by 48 on Saturday to hold on to their top-three spots.

But the Roosters are poised to pounce should either falter, boasting the second-best percentage in Division 1 — 147.88.

“I’d said to the boys we probably needed to pick one back up from one of those close ones we dropped in the last month,” Maiorana said.

“That’s why (Saturday) was critical. But still four games to go, anything can happen and everyone plays each other.”

West Preston Lakeside midfielder Ozgur Uysal kicks the goal to seal his team's win over Macleod in the Northern Football League. Picture: Nathan McNeill.

West Preston-Lakeside will be favoured to account for Northcote Park, Montmorency and Whittlesea in the next three weeks before a blockbuster final-round clash with Greensborough.

“That’s definitely what we are still aiming for, that top-three position. It’s in our hands,” Maiorana said.

“If we can get enough wins in these last four games we’ll qualify, if not we’ll have to do it the hard way.”

Midfielder Ozgur Uysal was instrumental in the last-quarter comeback against Macleod, while Ahmed Saad booted five goals on his return from suspension.

West Preston-Lakeside proved its quality with an upset win over Macleod. Picture: Nathan McNeill.

Montmorency put a significant dent in Northcote Park’s finals hopes with a 30-point win, while Heidelberg regained its top-five spot with a crucial 13-point victory over Bundoora.