Reservoir ready for Northern Football League blockbuster against Thomastown

The top-two teams clash in all three Northern Football League divisions this weekend, including Reservoir’s match against Thomastown.

Thomastown's Jacob Osei-Duro. NFL Football Division 3 Final: Reservoir v Thomastown at Shelly street Reserve, Heidelberg Heights.

RESERVOIR will be out to exact revenge on Northern Football League Division 3 ladder leaders Thomastown when the two sides meet at Main Street Reserve on Saturday.

The undefeated Bears hammered the Mustangs by 89 points in Round 3, handing Reservoir its only loss of 2014.

Mustangs assistant coach Leon Edwards said Thomastown could expect a much more competitive effort from his side this weekend.

“We’re a better team, there’s no doubt, and they’re a better team as well,” Edwards said.

“It’s going to be a cracking game, put it that way.”

Edwards said both sides had improved since their April 26 clash.

He said Reservoir, which has the stingiest defence of any Division 3 team, would be out to put the screws on Thomastown’s powerful forward line.

Bears star Jacob Osei-Duro looms as the danger man, with 43 goals in eight games, including four in the Round 3 match.

“They’ve got the leading goalkicker, so it’s going to be tough, but we’ve got the best defence,” he said.

“We’ve got to stop it getting down there.”

The Mustangs can close the gap at the top of the ladder to one match with victory this weekend.

Reservoir tuned up for the top-of-the-table match with a 12.13 (85) to 4.11 (35) win against Watsonia on Saturday.

Edwards said Reservoir’s smalls lifted in difficult conditions at Crispe Park.

Toby O’Meara snagged four majors in the win, while Joel Buckley and Liam Ryan continued their fine form.

Thomastown was also on the winners list, trumping South Morang by 44 points, while Parkside came within seven points of its first win of the season against Heidelberg West.

Division 1 and 2 returns this weekend with West Preston-Lakeside hosting Macleod at J.E Moore Park.

The Roosters can consolidate their top-three spot with victory against sixth-placed Macleod.

In other matches, Northcote Park can ease its relegation worries with a win against Whittlesea, while first meets second when Greensborough clashes with Heidelberg.

In Division 2, Mernda will be out to snap North Heidelberg’s unbeaten run.

Meanwhile, Epping and Lalor meet in a local derby at Epping Recreation Reserve.