By JARROD POTTER
EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE – round 15
FINALS have all but slipped through the fingers of Noble Park following a lacklustre 63-point loss to reigning premier Balwyn.
Failing to channel the spirit that guided their Round 8 win over the Tigers, the Bulls slumped their shoulders and conceded defeat.
Noble Park could only muster four goals for the afternoon and the best afield were a defensively minded trio of Bobby Kemperman, Trent Cody and captain Craig Anderson.
Sitting in eighth – 10 points off the pace of the finals-bound five – it’s safe to assume the season is run-and-done for the Bulls, with only three matches left this year to fight their way back into contention.
Noble Park faces Lilydale away on Saturday.
CASEY CARDINIA FOOTBALL LEAGUE – round 15
EVEN against the outliers of Casey Cardinia’s top brass, Keysborough found itself no match for Tooradin-Dalmore.
The countdown towards the end of the season – and probably its affiliation in competition – is proving an arduous and painful proposition to watch each weekend as the Burra struggle for numbers and any notable form.
Tooradin-Dalmore put away 15.16 (106) to run out 73-point winners over the Burra as Keysborough could not stop the Seagulls’ swooping the goals.
Geoff Humphreys kicked two goals and continued to hold his head up while others around him slumped as did Daniel Morland, Michael Downie and Kale Armstrong.
There are three matches left for the Burra this year – facing Beaconsfield at home this Saturday is the start of the last trio.
VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Division 2 – round 15
THE challenge ahead for St John’s is tricky as the JOCs find themselves eight-points outside the final four.
Second place St Mary’s Salesian boosted its credentials with a 24-point win over a dogged St John’s with Adam Jones (3 goals), Kane Arnold and Aaron Abela (2 goals each) hitting the scoreboard.
St John’s fought back through the second term but after half-time the clash belonged to the visitors, who kicked away to register win number 12 of their season.
Nathan Chalk, Jones and Daniel Cattolico deserve a pat on the back for their excellent efforts.
With three matches left, St John’s needs to win all three effectively and get a little luck through Old Paradians losing.
The JOCs start the campaign to the finish this weekend against their prime opposition – Old Paradians – on Saturday.
