Can Coe get to 100? Can the Demons make it 2?

Connor Hoetzel

Round 17 in the books, and Box Hill North have finally claimed their first win of the season thanks to a 24-point victory over Masala Dandenong. Leading the whole day, the Demons could sense that winning feeling at three quarter time when they led by 61 points. The Tigers piled on 16 scoring shots in the final term, but it was simply too late to start the comeback. Nicholas Lang booted six goals for Box Hill North, while David Edwards contributed a further four. Jason Lang was the best on ground, while he also kicked three goals himself, as did Daniel Luff. Masala had not entered any results. The final game sees Box Hill North face second bottom, South Mornington, while Masala take on Eley Park.

Elsternwick won over South Melbourne Districts by a comfortable 22-point margin over the weekend. After trailing for the first half, the Wickers found a spark at half time, coming out firing to kick seven goals to one in the third quarter. An even final quarter saw the Wickers run out victors, and remain in third spot. Unfortunately for the Swans, this loss officially rules them out of finals contention and they will look to their final game with pride on the line. Ciaran Clancy kicked three for the Swans, while Karlos Brady was their best on ground. Scott Carter booted five for Elsternwick, while Julian Yeatman and Nicholas Lowrie each kicked four. Shane Convery played well for the Wicks to be named their best. Elsternwick take on St Francis Xavier next week, while South Melbourne Districts will host the red-hot La Trobe side.

Albert Park ran riot over Eley Park, winning by 60 points in a contest they dominated from the beginning. The Falcons kicked away to a 28-point lead at quarter time and steadily built on it each quarter to finish with their big win. Thomas Wilson and James Brick were a solid one-two punch for the Falcons, kicking four apiece, and were named the two best players for the Falcons, with Brick being named the best. Luke Childs was also good in front of goals, kicking three goals. The Sharks were led by five goals to Marcus Baxter, and a resilient Matthew Rosier. The Falcons have a bye next week, as Eley Park round out their season with a home game against Masala.

Accuracy has helped La Trobe University tame the beast that is St Francis Xavier by three points in a thrilling contest. Trailing by a goal at the final change, a big five goal quarter helped the Trobers over the line by a narrow three points. The final score showed wayward kicking killed the X-Men, converting just 42% of their scoring shots, compared to the Trobers 72% accuracy. A big outing by Mitchell Oliver saw him kick seven majors, with Calvin Ross claiming the BOG honours for the victors. Harrison Coe could *only* manage three goals, leaving him on 99 goals for the season heading into the final round, as Stephen Richards-Gill (3) played his part alongside Coe, and Ryan Rhodes was the best of the X-Men. La Trobe travel to South Melbourne next week, while the X-Men take on Elsternwick.

South Mornington had a bye.

Preview

Fresh off their first win of the season against Masala Dandenong in Round 17, Box Hill North will host South Mornington this weekend in the final round of the home & away season. The Demons and Tigers have had poor seasons to date, but will be looking to finish off with a victory. Both teams should be confident of doing that, and a close game is on the cards.

A top-of-the-table tumble awaits as first placed St Francis Xavier and third placed Elsternwick seek to fine tune their sides heading into finals. For both sides, their position is locked in, bar an absolute thumping victory by Elsternwick that would see them recover over 40 percent on their percentage. With that being highly unlikely to occur, the Wickers are likely to end up in third. The real story to come out of this match, however, will be whether leading VAFA goal kicker, Harrison Coe, can boot goal number 100 for season 2019. Sitting on 99 goals currently, and kicking nearly seven goals in his 16 matches for the season to date, a centurion is dawning at Elsternwick Park.

South Melbourne Districts host La Trobe University in their final game. The Trobers are currently fourth, and should remain there unless they lose convincingly. – an outcome hard to envisage considering their three-point scalp over ladder-leaders St Francis Xavier last week! A convincing loss, combined with an Eley Park win, could see the Sharks overtake La Trobe on percentage – though it remains a hard task.

Finally, Eley Park take on Masala Dandenong.  Despite the Sharks falling to Albert Park by 60 points last week, the points should go their way here. It may all be in vain, however. as they need other results to go their way to finish in the top four.

Albert Park has a bye, and will most likely remain in second spot.