SOME BIG WINS AND CLOSE FINISHES TO END DIVISION 2 SEASON
Albanvale has hung on to its place in the top six of Division 2 Men despite a heavy loss to Suns and victory by Braybrook over West Footscray.
The Suns (fifth), Cobras (sixth), and Brookers (seventh) all finished the home and away season with 10-8 win-loss records with the Cobras claiming the last finals spot over Braybrook by a mere three percent.
Suns hosted Albanvale in the final round with last year’s Division 3 premiers recording a 13.10 (88) to 5.7 (37) win.
The hosts went ahead early, leading by seven points at quarter time before a five goal to one second term broke the game open and from there the home team cruised to a 51-point triumph.
Daniel O’Leary was best on for the Suns while Reece Field kicked three of Albanvale’s five goals.
Both teams take their place in Elimination Finals this weekend with the Suns facing Newport, while Albanvale plays Wyndhamvale.
Braybrook’s clash with West Footscray was a much closer affair with multiple lead changes and momentum swings at Pennell Reserve.
The Brookers held a three-point advantage at quarter time, but the Roosters turned things around to be up by nine points at the main break, after a four goal to two second term.
Stephen Mihelakos-James who finished the day with seven majors, helped Braybrook regain control in the third quarter with the hosts taking a 10-point lead into the last.
West Footscray closed the gap several times in the fourth but would fall short as the Brookers secured a 15.14 (104) to 15.11 (101) victory.
Sunshine held on to its double chance with a hard-fought seven-point win away to Newport.
The visitors led early before trailed by 15 points at the main break following a strong second term from the Panthers.
Sunshine hit back in a big way in the third holding Newport scoreless to re-establish an eight-point buffer and from there did enough to salute 11.12 (78) to 11.5 (71).
Declan Moloney was brilliant for Sunshine while Hussein Hasna kicked three goals and was best on ground for Newport.
A loss by Sunshine would have seen Wyndhamvale move up to second spot after the Falcons enjoyed a 142-point win against Western Rams.
The hosts had eight multiple goal kickers in their 16th win of the season with Daniel Burns, Matthew Paul and Jack Tessari all contributing four majors.
Tyler and Damon Lewis were the best performers for the Rams who finished their first season in the WFNL with two just wins but plenty of competitive performances across the year.
Albion completed a perfect home and away season with a 201-point win over Sunshine Heights.
Cooper Muir hit double figures for the second straight week booting 10 goals while Daniel Bramich tallied six majors.
The Dragons were best served by Matt Malual and Arian Sarandis.
Albion along with Sunshine have a bye in the first week of finals before facing off in the second semi final with the winner going straight through to the grand final.
Laverton were also big winners in Round 18 downing North Sunshine by 194 points with Fraser Johns and Joshua Cole among the main contributors.
North Footscray ended their campaign with 124-pioint victory over Tarneit to finish 9-9 on the season.
It was an entertaining start to the game with the Titans in the contest at first change, but the Devils dominated after quarter-time kicking 18 goals over the next three terms with the visitors having no answers.